Residents at Christie Point and other parties interested in the redevelopment of the nearly 16-acre rental complex in View Royal are getting increased opportunities to learn about the details of the project of late.
Two open houses B次元官网网址� one in the Christie Point common room for residents Feb. 1 and a public session last Thursday at the Songhees Wellness Centre, saw representatives of owner/operator Realstar and consultants ranging from architects and environmental experts to traffic modellers chat with visitors about their specific areas of the project.
Ann Jordan-Mills is a member of the Christie Point Advocates group that formed around Christmastime, in response to concerns over the potential B次元官网网址渞enovictionB次元官网网址� of longtime residents, not to mention worries over the effects of a proposed expansion from 161 rental units to 473, in buildings ranging from four to six storeys.
Having attended each of the public consultations, as well as separate meetings between Realstar and the advocacy group, sheB次元官网网址檚 pretty well versed in whatB次元官网网址檚 being proposed. She admitted to learning something new Thursday, however, that for earthquake mitigation the power lines would be buried.
Jordan-Mills said she and her husband may be in a position in two or three years to move back into the development. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have the stresses that some people have; weB次元官网网址檙e in a slightly different situation.B次元官网网址� That said, she continues to have reservations about the overall plan.
B次元官网网址淚 do feel like itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a bit like a rabbit warren or a beehive, just so many people on such a small site, thatB次元官网网址檚 going to be hard,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to change the whole nature of the place. And I think itB次元官网网址檚 going to change the nature of the residents as well, very significantly.B次元官网网址�
A multi-page handout at the open house offered extensive information to tenants and other View Royal and surrounding community residents via a list of frequently asked questions.
Despite the professionally crafted display boards outlining many of the proposed improvements planned for the property, Melanie Molloy, also a member of the Christie Point Advocates, remains concerned about the disposition of many existing tenants.
B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 an ethical and moral responsibility there to look at the 161 units,B次元官网网址� she said, estimating it to be between 350 and 400 residents, B次元官网网址渢o ensure that each of those people, whether they want to stay permanently B次元官网网址� or they do want to be relocated elsewhere or donB次元官网网址檛 want to be B次元官网网址� every single one of those people is accounted for in the process.B次元官网网址�
The tenant protection agreement suggested by the group for Realstar, the Town and the residents, she added, was brought forward, B次元官网网址渟o that safety net is there to make sure no one falls through, for the sake of adding all of these units to a very small area.B次元官网网址�
Molloy noted that the long-term disposition of the site has to be solved at some point in the future.
B次元官网网址淭hese buildings are only getting older, so whether itB次元官网网址檚 Realstar that ends up being the one who gets to do it, or some other developer, itB次元官网网址檚 about what does the Town want, what does the community want, nwhat does council want? All we can go on right now is the official community plan.B次元官网网址�
Realstar has proposed a detailed plan to support residents who may have to move in the event the project is approved. It includes six monthsB次元官网网址� notice rather than the required two, one monthB次元官网网址檚 rent compensation and coverage of moving and other relocation expenses.
At the open houses, Mills said, the company has come across as genuine in what and how it has been communicating to residents.
B次元官网网址淚 think theyB次元官网网址檙e sincere in what theyB次元官网网址檙e saying, and I think theyB次元官网网址檙e sincere in wanting to keep us updated now,B次元官网网址� she said.
Molloy acknowledged their landlord for bringing residents more into the conversation around this project.
B次元官网网址淲e know that the word is spreading and that it is growing and people are giving their feedback,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭his opportunity this week was in direct response to the turnout at the (January) council meeting. ItB次元官网网址檚 great that RealstarB次元官网网址檚 putting it on, but itB次元官网网址檚 because thereB次元官网网址檚 a need for it.B次元官网网址�
Realstar will be making its initial presentation on the project at a special committee of the whole meeting of View Royal council on Feb. 15 (7 p.m.), back at the Wellness Centre.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
