The Christie Point redevelopment proposal cleared another hurdle at TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 View Royal council meeting and residents were visibly upset at the decision.
After council voted 3-2 in favour of the rezoning application, the majority of residents in the packed chambers stormed out of the meeting, some directing a few choice profanities at council.
One resident brazenly shouted B次元官网网址渟ee you at the pollsB次元官网网址� and called Mayor David Screech a loser.
After being asked to kiss a certain body part, the mayor replied B次元官网网址済et the hell out.B次元官网网址�
The decision to approve third reading for a bylaw amendment that would pave the way for the Christie Point redevelopment proposal came after a short discussion, where each of the council members expressed their own opinions on the overall scope of the project.
B次元官网网址淚 know people are concerned about a lack of a 15 metre set back B次元官网网址� [but] thereB次元官网网址檚 also a number of [environmental] flaws on the site the developer will have to fix if this gets approved,B次元官网网址� noted Coun. Ron Mattson, adding that overall the environmental impact of this project will be positive.
However, he did acknowledge the buildings would be significantly higher than they are now, negatively impacting the view.
The approximately $200 million redevelopment proposal for the 15.8 acre peninsula, which would see roughly 470 new units built on the existing foundation in two four-storey buildings and six six-storey buildings, has been met with mixed reviews during the public consultation process. Those units would replace the existing 161 units in two storey buildings.
B次元官网网址淲e had to do something and I feel this is probably the best deal that I as a councillor could get for residents and still have the project viable,B次元官网网址� Mattson said. B次元官网网址淭o be able was quite important.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Aaron Weisgerber said that with the changes and clarifications he was pleased with the proposal.
However, Coun. Heidi Rast noted that her main concerns B次元官网网址� height and density B次元官网网址� had not been addressed to her satisfaction.
Coun. John Rogers echoed those concerns. B次元官网网址淭he six storey height is not consistent with the ambiance and the character,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 was struck by how many people referred to it as View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 jewel B次元官网网址� Frankly such heights could turn View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 jewel into View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 eyesore.B次元官网网址�
Rogers was also concerned rising sea levels could cause long term problems for the site, especially with buildings and partially below grade parking within the 15 metre high tide set back.
Ultimately, it came down to Screech to break the tie. B次元官网网址淚 know itB次元官网网址檚 been a tough haul,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 really do feel from where we started to where we are now B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 far improved.B次元官网网址�
He noted other housing developments in the town will be hitting the market while this phased redevelopment takes place, helping to alleviate some of the housing crunch for tenants.
B次元官网网址淚 also feel thereB次元官网网址檚 going to be a net gain to the environment,B次元官网网址� he added.
