After sober second thought, a height-weary Victoria city council reversed its decision to reject a mixed-use development promising 105 units of affordable housing.
Mark Johnston of Oakwood Park Estates showed up at ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 meeting to plead his case, but learned there was no need: council will reconsider his proposal.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not sure we can go back and redesign the proposal successfully in any reasonable timeframe,B次元官网网址� said Johnston. B次元官网网址淎s council knows in dealing with their Blue Bridge, timing and opportunity have a great deal of impact on affordability.B次元官网网址�
On April 7, council rejected the 14- and eight- storey mixed-use development proposed on Speed Avenue in a contentious split vote.
At first blush, the proposal by Oakwood Park Estates seems the type of development called for in the cityB次元官网网址檚 recently unveiled draft Official Community Plan.
The visionary document plans for high-density housing near commercial hubs, and along major transportation corridor. The proposal falls within a block of Mayfair Mall and the future rapid transit line.
But itB次元官网网址檚 just too soon, argued Deb Day, director of planning.
The OCP is still just a draft requiring public feedback.
Needed first, is B次元官网网址渕uch more considered local area plans,B次元官网网址� Day said.
Mayor Dean Fortin considered the impact of tall buildings on the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood.
B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 think of any other neighbourhood in our city that we would say a 14- and eight-storey building would be OK,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚magine this in Fairfield.B次元官网网址�
Staff presented other concerns: the need for traffic management study, independent analysis on the value of amenities versus rezoning, and assurances of the feasibility of the affordable housing promised.
Under the proposed terms, MB次元官网网址橝kola Group would purchase 75 residential units at a 25 per cent discount. The society would then rent them to families at 10 per cent below market for 35 years.
Add to the amenity list a space for a 20-child daycare, 30 affordable rental units available for five years, and 64 market rental units.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 much to be commended here,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Chris Coleman. B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 let perfect be the enemy of good,B次元官网网址� he said.
But Coun. Lynn Hunter wasnB次元官网网址檛 persuaded by the lure of these much-needed amenities.
B次元官网网址淥ur hunger for affordable housing is really clouding our judgement,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲here would these kids play?B次元官网网址� she asked. B次元官网网址淲ould they become mall rats?B次元官网网址�
The arguments left Johnston, a former city manager, feeling frustrated.
The city can look at this as an opportunity or a problem, he said. B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e open to do business, you have to stop sticking fingers in peopleB次元官网网址檚 eyes B次元官网网址� ThereB次元官网网址檚 105 affordable housing units here. There are no projects before council that come close to anything like this.B次元官网网址�
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