Applicant's Statement - Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc.

RE: PROPOSED SITE UPGRADES DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR 1708 and 1680 ISLAND HIGHWAY, VICTORIA, BC

The purpose of this Development Permit is to facilitate minor Site Works at the above noted properties subsequent to the Rezoning of the 1680 property. Both properties are now zoned as Comprehensive Development — 6 (Casino) zone. The 1680 property was also partitioned off and a port of the property was dedicated back to the Town of View Royal as Park.

The 1680 Island Highway property will provide for future surface parking and associated landscaping, but this will only be necessitated at the time when the Casino expansion takes place and warrants the additional parking. In the interim, the gravel area of the 1680 site will be graded and hydroseeded to provide additional green space adjacent to the existing natural ravine and creek. There will be a Statutory Right-of-Way on the lot in order to provide service access to the Park area.

The proposed site improvements for the lot have been designed with good engineering and environmental practices in mind. The following are deemed as benefits to the Town of View Royal:

1. The existing gravel surface lot has been graded and landscaped to create a strong landscape buffer along all side, especially along the Island Highway frontage;
2. Storm water management issues were considered and natural grading of the lot works without any adverse affects on Millstream Creek;
3. The existing surface parking lot is maintained, but the landscaping has been enhanced from a pedestrian safety perspective by providing easy and safe access to the Casino;
4. The proposed revisions will better tie into the neighbourhood fabric and the natural setting of adjacent properties;
5. The proposed design for the site integrates nicely into the existing surroundings by taking into affect views, landscaping, accessibility, storm water management for the site;
6. Access to the Casino will be improved.

We hope that you will support this application.

Sincerely,

Mike Alivojvodic, Architect AIBC, MRAIC Principal, Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc.