Posted 06 July 2008 - 10:21 AM
With respect to the height discussion here, the OCP (which was adopted in 2007) indicated that in this particular area, 10 stories would be the maximum height. I'm assuming that with input from the Esquimalt Community, this number was felt to be a viable height due to the area, the surrounding buildings and the fact that this is a corridor area. Although there are apartment buildings along this area, I don't believe they rise more than 6 or 7 stories. There are new duplexes along there as well, which would look really out of place if the corridor sprung up high rises in excess of what the by-laws (and OCP) states.
When the owners of the new duplexes first heard about proposed Constance Tower and attended the council meetings, one comment echoed for me, which was given from a distraught owner. He said, "this isn't just an investment for me. This is my home. I can't afford to sell and move away. I've put everything I have into my home and to move away would be devasating to me and my family." To hear this makes me realize that although the NIMBY argument is always first on everyone's minds, we have to realize that hard-working folks bought these homes with the assumption that they'd have a nice neighbourhood to live in for themselves and their families. Traffic along Admirals Road can be harried at most times (especially in the mornings and late afternoons), I can understand my neighbour's concerns since he has young children.
I can also understand the developer wanting to make the most profit from any development. However, to do so at the blatant disregard of what's already been approved and adopted by the community (namely the OCP and the by-laws) makes me a bit nervous and frustrated. I mean, on one hand, the developer is saying that his is abiding by the rules by ensuring homes in the 150 foot range get notices about the development (as per the rules), but on the other hand, is breaking the rules by proposing a development that contravenes the OCP's height allowances. Either you play by the rules all the way or not at all...
Also, one thing that was noticed in the last committee meeting was that the developer was very condascending to those speaking against the development, something that one committee member said, "doesn't instill a good level of trust." If a developer is really wanting to move into the community, to build a building such as this, I would think that he'd do some research, get to know the community, what's already there, and get a feel for what would look the best in the area he's proposing to develop. There's an unfinished building site down farther on Esquimalt Road (close to dockyard) that's for sale. I can see putting up a higher building there, as it's a better suited area for that. I wonder why that wasn't taken into consideration?
With developers not able to finish their projects, I am scared that the devleoper won't be able to get this buildng off the ground and the legion will stuck in the middle of all of this. They need a new building, that is true, but not at their expense because a developer is just seeing the dollar signs flying around.
For anyone interested, there will be another APC meeting on July 15 at 7pm at the City Hall in Esquimalt. If anyone wants to attend, please do. It will give you a good idea of what's going on. Come and drive down Admirals Road and get a sense of what's there, then imagine two high rise condos - one by the Naden gates, the other at the other end of the street close to Esquimalt. If these both get built, it will open the door for that whole area to be covered in high rises. Then, after about 10 years, lets see how nice that areas looks. I'm thinking View Towers...