79 replies to this topic

[G-Man]

Well that is at least something. Glad to see so much support. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Rozlynne Mitchell, chair of the West Bay Residents Association, said she and the association don’t agree with the development, as it exceeds the 2018 OCP policy allowing a floor area ratio of 3.0 for commercial mixed-use developments, and it exceeds the 12-storey limit for residential developments.

“We need affordable housing, this massive proposal should offer some. This building will tower over and overwhelm its neighbours and the street and it demonstrates a fundamental disregard for its neighbours,” she said.



https://www.vicnews....gh-rise-7326546









We hear this a lot. That so and so project will “overwhelm” various neighbours. But it’s never really explained. How, exactly, does it disadvantage the neighbours or neighbouring properties or residents?

There is a large shadow of course, but in a thin tower this shadow is relatively thin and moves quickly through the day. Other than that, I’m unclear why this word or effect is used so often.

 

 

 

 

 

This building will tower over and overwhelm its neighbours and the street

 

 

 

???

 

Presumably, the sun will continue to shine from the south (unless anyone has heard otherwise?).

 

 

Who and how is it "overwhelming"?  How is it overwheming the street (Esquimalt Road)?  Will drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and scooters not be able to navigate it with a tower there?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 March 2024 - 03:44 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

Yup. The last place I lived in Vancouver was 12th Ave on the west side. I was in a 5 floor apartment but there were all sorts of junior hi-rises and taller literally in every direction, including the 24 story apartment directly across the street. And yet - amazingly - any time I went outside why, why - there it was!!! - the SUN. Still right where I left it the day before!

 

And in those very rare instances where I even noticed the shade, which BTW was most welcome on hot sunny summer days, all I had to do was move maybe 20 or 30 paces in any direction and !WOWEE BATMAN! sure enough there it was again, the sun - still shining bright and warm. Shocking I tell you...... 

[Mike K.]

Yes, Esquimalt's OCP favours very large floorplates, due to the height restrictions on the majority of properties suitable for higher heights and densities. We really ought not to be building giant, wide blocks. Point towers are the way forward, with thinner shadows as Watcher mentioned, that move throughout the day very quickly and do not overly impact neighbouring properties.

[Victoria Watcher]

I was waiting for aastra to comment here.

[nrtphotos]

^{Man, some of the commentary from the public at the council meeting was wild. The one woman who prefaced her point by saying her university student daughter had just been evicted then went on to say these hundreds of homes won’t do anything for them or be affordable - what? This, just after several UVIC students had come before council speaking to the massive issues they face finding housing. Another lady with her young child went on a tangent about imagine walking to school around this and how it somehow will make the intersection and neighbourhood unsafe?} 
 

^{I relate the housing supply to the car market we’ve experienced up until very recently. Constraints on new vehicle production allowed for a surge in dealer markups and in turn drove used prices through the roof, these effects have cooled significantly as inventory levels catch up with demand. I really don’t think housing is much different.} 
 

^{It was pretty apparent in the meeting that GMC takes care of their buyers and renters, lots of people came out to support them. Having bought into the Lexi building across the street I really wish this had been an option when I bought.}
 

[Nparker]

It always amazes me how few people understand the law of supply and demand.

[Nparker]

Then again, when I read inane comments about "affordability" it does become easier to understand how the NDP keep getting elected. 

[aastra]

I wouldn't mind seeing some renderings of what this place would look like from the top of Cairn Park.

[Mike K.]

Here you go.

[aastra]

Nice. And I only had to wait an hour and a half for it.

[Mike K.]

Looks like you poured over it for 55 minutes.

[aastra]

 

Looks like you poured over it...

 

I'm not sure I'm reading you correctly. Are you gushing with praise or dripping with contempt?

[aastra]

Anyway, here's my well-reasoned verdict:

 

Too tall. Chop it down by 8 stories.

[aastra]

Bah, I'm feeling generous today. Chop it down by just 6 stories.

[aastra]

My point is, I prefer privacy when I'm enjoying my morning coffee and scone up there.

[Nparker]

...Too tall. Chop it down by 8 stories.

...Chop it down by just 6 stories.

I'll see your chops and raise it by 10 storeys.

[Mike K.]

Can we raise each floor by 3 feet, then drop it by six floors?

[aastra]

 

I'll see your chops and raise it by 10 storeys.

 

I was talking about enjoying scones in the morning but now you're talking about enjoying chops at dinner. At dinner I don't think I would have any objection to the proposed height. I tend to pay close attention to my plate during dinner.

 

Thus, it would be ideal if the building could sink to 18-20 stories before 7am but then rise back to 26 stories for the afternoon/evening period.

[Matt R.]

Don’t worry ladies and germs, they can simply add or remove floors as it’s being built.