79 replies to this topic

[Citified.ca]

GMC Projects' public amenity contribution of $4.1 million will be the highest-ever contributed as part of a development proposal of its density in our region, and outpaces contributions expected even in municipalities in Metro Vancouver, including the City of Vancouver.

 

Esquimalt stands to gain so much as part of this project. Council will be reviewing the application on April 8th.

 

For residents of Esquimalt, it's not too late to write council. Whatever you have to say, council wants to hear it. You can write them at council@esquimalt.ca

 

 

26-storey landmark proposed for Esquimalt could deliver Capital Region’s largest public amenity contribution

https://victoria.cit...y-contribution/

[Nparker]

Isn't the greatest public amenity of this project the new homes it will bring? Aren't we in the midst of the worst ever housing crisis in the entire history of humanity?

[Mike K.]

It's also nice to improve infrastructure, while you're at it.

[Nparker]

It's also nice to improve infrastructure, while you're at it.

That's where regular tax dollars are supposed to be spent.

[Mike K.]

Generally speaking, a taxpayer may not want to beautify private land, that is being offered for the public to use.

 

That would be a questionable expense.

 

When a private developer, wishes to beautify private land, that they will make available to the general public, that is a benefit for the community at-large and should be at no cost to them, but should also be viewed positively by the community, as they will stand to benefit from it.

[Nparker]

Every so-called public amenity forced on developers simply adds to the already excessive cost of local housing.

[Mike K.]

In this case, it is not forced, it is being promoted by the developer. They would like for their project to be a landmark, and would like to make it a destination in its own right. That will take a lot of money to achieve, but it should also not go unnoticed. Esquimalt has a real jewel on its hands right now. We shall see how they vote come Monday.

 

Anyone who would like to message council can write council@esquimalt.ca

[Tony]

Do all projects require a public amenity or are the public amenity funds in exchange for building variations given to the project?

[Mike K.]

OCPs and similar community plans are designed such that developers are hardly ever able to build within the auspices of the plans, so almost universally, yes, projects are required to propose some form of amenity contribution to the public, even if virtually fully aligned with a plan, or even zoning.

 

In some cases, the development of rental housing is the amenity, and municipalities provide provisions for developers who choose to provide rental housing. In GMC's case here, the $4.1 million is over and above the rental housing component of this project. If that were to be factored in, the 'public benefit' would be significantly greater.

[Mike K.]

Today is the public hearing. Will Esquimalt council say yes to 272 units of housing?

[DavidSchell]

Today is the public hearing. Will Esquimalt council say yes to 272 units of housing?

 

I am thinking yes.

[Mike K.]

As a future homeowner just across the street, have you written council at council@esquimalt.ca? It’s not too late. 😎

[Mike K.]

Approved tonight, 5-2, councillors Boardman and Cavens voting against.

[nrtphotos]

Approved tonight, 5-2, councillors Boardman and Cavens voting against.

I have to admit, I’m a little surprised it was such a majority. Cavens lives in the neighbourhood, I guess he didn’t want to step on his constituents toes by voting in favour. Would have liked to attend the meeting, I’ll be interested to watch the recording! 
 

Any ideas for when development will start? Those higher units will have a killer view. Having bought across the street I don’t see this as a bad thing. I can only see it adding to property values as the area becomes more developed and desirable, nor exactly a nice area currently. Might be some noise for a while but it will be cool to watch such a large tower get built! 

[Mike K.]

Pending the sales campaign, it’ll be fall of 2025 for a construction start.

[Citified.ca]

A rendering of a 26-storey condominium tower and an eight-storey rental block approved for Esquimalt Road at Head Street in the Township of Esquimalt. The project will replace two aged buildings with 272 residences and approximately 8,000 square feet of retail space.

 

Landmark 26-storey, 272-unit development approved for Esquimalt's Carlton Club lands

https://victoria.cit...ton-club-lands/

[Victoria Watcher]

The vote was 5-2 in favour of the development permit and the variances requested by the developer, with Boardman and Cavens opposed.

 

After the vote, Boardman proposed that township staff look into the possibility of limiting any new developments in the C-2 commercial zoning to 12 storeys until the municipality undergoes its Official Community Plan review, a move that was unanimously supported by the rest of council.

 

Desjardins said the province is requiring Esquimalt to undergo an OCP review by next June after it instituted a number of housing changes last year.

 

During that process, the whole community will get to weigh in on what the height for future development will look like in Esquimalt, she said.

 

 

https://www.timescol...ipality-8577220

[2F2R]

Add this project to the list …

[Victoria Watcher]

Maror Barb Desjardins editorial:

 

 

 

 

 

In May 2023, Esquimalt staff received the development application for 900 Carlton Place/900 Esquimalt Road, a key corner in Esquimalt. The application included 272 units of housing, commercial space, rental housing and a condominium tower at a height of 26 storeys.

 

These properties are within the Commercial/Commercial Mixed Use Proposed Land Use Designation within Esquimalt’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and this proposal met the use and density requirements within the C-2 zone, and as such it did not require a rezoning. The C-2 zone does not contain a maximum density.

 

In May 2022, a full year before submitting their application, GMC Projects (the project developer) initiated community engagement. As part of the information provided to council March 4th, 2024, they provided an outline of 38 community engagement actions between May 2022 and March 4th, 2024.

 

Council also heard from the public through these engagements and ongoing social media. Clearly this project would be a deviation from what the community had seen to date and coupling that with the fact that it was not going to come to council as a rezoning it created significant angst in some of our Esquimalt community as they struggled to see how a project could come forward as a development variance with such height.

 

At the March 4th council meeting there was significant public input with speakers and emails received from all levels of the business community, including the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce, and many businesses local to the project in strong favour of the project.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...-tower-1199157/

 

 

 

On April 8th council heard again from a wide-range of community members, including the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre, local businesses, local area residents, students from UVic, Esquimalt First Nation, and some from outside Esquimalt. Council members spoke frankly about their challenges. All members of council spoke of areas of support for the project citing significant positives for revitalising this corner. They also referenced the community challenge of the project’s significant height. Council members listened to each other, building on, delving further into each other’s comments to finally come to a position of being able to call the question on the motion to approve.

 

Council approved the proposal in a majority of five-two. Land use decisions are challenging, this one was the ultimate challenge for Esquimalt council. It was done through significant listening to an engaged community, and respectful, thorough questioning to staff and the proponent to ensure councillors had the information required to make a decision.

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 April 2024 - 12:37 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

A provincial representative for land and property developers says he hopes to see experienced developers with good track records propose bolder housing projects amid uncertainty in the real estate market.

 

On Monday, April 8, the Township of Esquimalt voted to approve a building permit for an amenity-packed, 26-storey residential building – double the height of the current tallest building in the municipality.

 

 

https://www.vicnews....8ca11b97212fd9a