493 replies to this topic

[Kapten Kapsell]

The city's Planning & Land Use Committee will consider this project's application for a development permit next week (on Thursday, March 17). City staff are recommending the issuance of this permit.

The DP report is located here:
http://victoria.civi...517 Fisgard.pdf

[Rob Randall]

City Hall sends Union condo to public hearing

By Robert Randall • Published on Friday, March 18, 2011

At a Thursday meeting of the Planning and Land Use Standing Committee, councillors agreed with a staff recommendation to send the Union condo project to a future public hearing.

The five-storey mixed-use proposal in the heart of Chinatown would feature two buildings separated by a courtyard, with a walkway linking Pandora to Fisgard.

More...

[gumgum]

Why do they need a walkway from Pandora to Fisgard? Isn't that what Fan Tan's for?

[Nparker]

Why do they need a walkway from Pandora to Fisgard? Isn't that what Fan Tan's for?

'Cuz we need "Fan Tan 2: The Less Interesting Sequel"

[Baro]

There's opportunity for a cool alley, but there's no way they'd pull it off. I'm not sure fan-tan would meet code these days anyways...

That said, this isn't a horrible place for a mid-block, it would link up with the cool little walkways around those live/work townhouses no?

[G-Man]

Agh this building looks great. Does Coun. Madoff even walk around Chinatown?

Madoff noted the ordinariness of the balconies and recommended they be made to look like they were affixed to the building instead of being integrated into the facade. This, she said, would be in keeping with the distinctive look of Chinatown’s architecture which often features details like wrought iron balconies and fire escapes.

Inset Balcony One

Inset Balcony Two

Inset Balcony Three

Inset Balcony Four

Inset Balcony Five

Inset Balcony Six

Inset Balcony Seven

Inset Balcony Eight

So maybe the architect was actually trying to do something that is seen around Chinatown!

[jklymak]

I'm not even sure I understand her point - the railing look like they could be wrought iron.

Does the planning and land use committee really have any business making comments like this? I would have thought their purview was usage and density, not design details, which I'd leave to the pros on the Design Panel.

Anyhow, I agree that this building looks great, and I hope it moves forward smoothly.

[Rob Randall]

Why do they need a walkway from Pandora to Fisgard? Isn't that what Fan Tan's for?

The site contains what was once Theatre Alley. Most of it has been lost but a lot of people including the DRA would like to see it restored. It would not be like Fan Tan Alley, but more like Dragon Alley.

[Rob Randall]

Agh this building looks great. Does Coun. Madoff even walk around Chinatown?



Inset Balcony One

Inset Balcony Two

Inset Balcony Three

Inset Balcony Four

Inset Balcony Five

Inset Balcony Six

Inset Balcony Seven

Inset Balcony Eight

So maybe the architect was actually trying to do something that is seen around Chinatown!

I'm sorry, I should have clarified; Madoff's comments referred to the upper two storeys of balconies, not the lower ones that resemble the inset balconies seen in G-man's links. I have modified the sentence to make that distinction.

I agree with this suggestion to make them appear more 'attached' rather than your standard condo balcony. Sorry if my wording made it unclear.

As for why design details are being discussed at a Planning and Land Use committee, well, all I can say is that Councillors serve on many different committees and it can be difficult to remember which hat you're wearing. Kind of like when we talk about bridge design or traffic in the Johnson St. Bridge funding thread. You know you really shouldn't but you can't help sneaking in that comment.

[Phil McAvity]

^You can make excuses for them all you want Rob but this is a discussion forum on the internet, not City Hall. If they can't figure out what meeting they are in, or what commitees they are on, they shouldn't be serving on city council. What's more, we're not paid to be here, they are, so you would think that they might be a bit more professional than that. Unfortunately i'm not surprised since it's rare that Victoria city councillors demonstrate much lucidity.

As for the building, I find it "appropriately boring" which means it will probably come to fruition.

[aastra]

So would the exterior of this building be painted to fit in with Chinatown?

[Holden West]

^Yes, I think you can buy "Chinatown" paint at the same store Bugs Bunny buys plaid paint and "tunnel black hole" paint.

[aastra]

That's a relief. So they just spray it on?

[aastra]

Joking aside, I think a new building like the one in the link below would tend to stick out like a sore thumb. There should be some colour on the front facade.

http://maps.google.c...7,0.007328&z=18

[Kapten Kapsell]

Council will consider a development permit for this project next Thursday (April 28).

[G-Man]

What is the verdict?

[Kapten Kapsell]

The Union was approved by the City Council last night.

Condo, retail complex OK'd for weed-choked lot
By BILL CLEVERLEY, Timescolonist.com
April 29, 2011
http://www.timescolo...1407/story.html

A long-neglected and weed covered lot linking Chinatown to Old Town is to be transformed by Vancouver-based Anthem Properties into a five-storey condominium and retail complex. [...]

[Nparker]

Madoff said the fact a lot is vacant is not necessarily a reason to approve development. "I don't see an empty lot as a blight on the landscape. I see it as an opportunity," she said.

Pam Madoff is the greatest blight on the Victoria landscape.

[Mike K.]

An opportunity for what? Good grief, what better use of land could there be than a lowrise, high-density mixed-use condo/commercial project?

[aastra]

I don't see an empty lot as a blight on the landscape....

Pretty good summary of the prevailing attitude in Victoria over the past 60 years or so.

Parking lots, empty lots, abandoned buildings... there's tremendous opportunity just about everywhere you look.

The real blight happens when you actually build something on those empty lots. Just look at south downtown. All of that opportunity, now ruined.