978 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

According to the agenda for Thursday's Planning & Land Use Committee meeting the planning department is recommending that a development permit *not* be issued for this project...

Any reasons given?

[Kapten Kapsell]

No reasons are given in the agenda at http://www.victoria....1-13_agenda.pdf , but I don't think that arguments for or against make it into the agenda; they are usually discussed at the meeting itself.

See item #5 at the link above (development permit for 1029 View Street).

[2F2R]

I’m with city hall … no development permit … we have to preserve the empty lots and boarded up buildings … As Peter Pollen was heralded for not allowing the Reid Center because it would clash with the surrounding surroundings … where was he when the Empress and Parliament Buildings were built … at least if they had have been scaled back to half their current size they would not be so offensive … I cannot see the harbor from the Crystal Gardens and I cannot see the Crystal Gardens from the inner harbor … Thank goodness that type of atrocity will not happen today … remember, tourists don’t care a hoot about modern beautiful buildings … PS, whatever happened to that geniuses’ idea to completely redo the inner harbor and get rid of the Coho … that upset Port Angeles so much … I sent them a message and told them … don’t worry, Victoria can hardly agree on putting up a garden shed … it will never happen!

[Mike K.]

It might not necessarily be a death spell for the project. Until we know more it's anyone's guess why the construction permit will not be awarded.

As per the story published by VV back in September, there could be an issue with the mid-walk walkway which the developers objected to and the City pushed. But again, that's just a guess.

[G-Man]

It seems odd as it complies with the Harris Green Plan, they should be supporting it.

[aastra]

Me no understand. The first proposal for this site a few years ago consisted of a pair of well-spaced junior highrise buidlings. Thumbs down. So then came a proposal for a more fatscraper-esque midrise building with a junior highrise section on one end. Thumbs down. So then came this lowrise/midrise proposal. Thumbs down yet again?

What's left to propose? A skyscraper? A townhouse complex?

The well-spaced junior highrises represented the right format for the site, in my opinion. The design just needed some work.

[Blue Horseshoe]

So now what? anyone?

[Mike K.]

We'll just have to wait to see the reason(s) for denying the permit.

Like G-man says, this proposal as designed should fall under the Harris Green guidelines.

[Rob Randall]

It seems odd as it complies with the Harris Green Plan, they should be supporting it.

No, there are not nearly enough setbacks to conform with the guidelines. HG highrises are supposed to be stepped back as they rise. Council would likely say yes if the developer carved density off the upper floors.

[Mike K.]

Setbacks? Oh brother.

[G-Man]

aren't the setbacks only supposed to occur above the 6th floor? And isn't this one setback to comply with that ? It looks like it to me?

Beyond Ridiculous!!! I am with Aastra. The previous proposal was more in line with what I wanted it just needed refinement. This is a smaller project and the city is still going nuts.

[2F2R]

>>>So now what? anyone?<<

Well I bet if what was proposed was a plain box walk-up four story square flat roofed boring apartment block with absolutely no architectural flavor what so ever … and they dug a hole to build it in … set it back … put a not needed walk through in … painted it as bland a color as possible … then sent it back to the architect to shave one floor off … then debated it for three more years … they would make the right decision … NO TALL BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS ALLOWED … you will scare away the tourists … block out the sun … run us short of undeveloped sites in town … just plain ruin the city … but of course as residents of the city … we have the right to not have to be subjected to any chances in our area as long as we are still alive … unless it is something that we want … then it must be done immediately … and what we want is what our rights as citizens of this World Class City are and that is no changes to anything … especially not in my backyard … in his backyard is ok … just not in my backyard … I don’t know why we even entertain development and change at all … have we already forgotten what split city council when the Eaton Center was proposed … remember the people with vision were smart enough to warn us that if the Eaton Center was build it would create a big black hole downtown … I, as a 55 year citizen of this city want to thank the visionary’s for protecting us from the kind of runaway disasters that would occur if they were not looking out for their own interests … woops, I mean looking out for the Cities best interest. Oh Ya, one last thing … Admirals and Craigflower … heading out of town … five lanes funneling into one … shear infrastructure genius … hey, remember all the whining the residents near Pat Bay and McKenzie did when they put in the interchange … THEY did not want it because THEIR park … they thought was threatened … Geesh! Can you imagine … as I said earlier … thank goodness the Parliament Buildings and the Empress were built so long ago … can you imagine if they were proposed today … yup, send ‘em back … … …

[Bob Fugger]

I think that the architect should have built a small scale replica of some building in London. That way, he wouldn't have had his scary looking futuristic Jetson building voted down.

EDIT: I should have clarified: I meant some old, heritage building in London. In fact, for a city founded by the Romans in 43AD, London has managed to integrate some very modern, avant garde architecture into its cityscape. But that wouldn't be appropriate, here.

[VicHockeyFan]

What could become downtown Victoria's newest condo is a nine-storey, $30-million building designed to recall memories of the 1950s when life seemed simpler and technology solved all problems, its architects say.

The Jukebox, proposed by CareVest Capital and Don Charity, and designed by Gustavson Wylie Architects, would fill a vacant lot at 1029 View St. near Vancouver Street.

Read more: http://www.timescolo...l#ixzz1BO6Qw6Bn

[G-Man]

Reasonable words from Councillor Madoff. There really is no need for a walkway here.

[2F2R]

>>>a nine-storey, $30-million building designed to recall memories of the 1950s when life seemed simpler<<<

I wonder what would have been the decision if this was proposed in the 50's ... ...

[D.L.]

wow, I'm glad to hear about the increase in the number of floors. if anywhere can handle it, it's here.

[Kapten Kapsell]

wow, I'm glad to hear about the increase in the number of floors. if anywhere can handle it, it's here.

Some of the increase may be related to the fact that they can't put any underground parking at the site. So most of the second floor will likely be parkade space (a la 860 View or The Cherry Bank).

[jonny]

The rendering in the TC article looks quite a bit different (and substantially better) than the rendering in this thread. The same two cars are parked outside though!

I'm coming around on this project. While I would prefer a tower since this is IMO right in Harris Green, the size and massing does not look bad, and I think a case could be made for this type of building fitting into the surrounding buildings. Recent new buildings nearby like the Mosaic and 947 Fort are similar stylistically in that they are short and relatively wide.

One thing I think anybody would agree on is that the existing lot is a horrible eyesore. Hopefully it’s not contaminated, council approves the DP and this moves ahead relatively quickly.

[Islander888]

The Jukebox has passed the design panel and land use committee and has now been granted a development permit for the view street site. There is still some clean up to be done however construction and marketing should commence very soon.