Christie Point Redevelopment Summary of Comments Received NEIGHBOURHOOD OPEN HOUSE

Comments:

• Less units!!!
• More to follow!!!
• As I’ve already stated, the visual effects of increased height and density of the area is of major importance in retaining the value of this area.
• Flooding, erosion, bird and wildlife sanctuary, are key points – increase in sewage, water, roads will exhaust resources.
• Traffic congestion – during construction and after completion - Shoreline road and intersection at Shoreline and Island Highway as well as Craigflower and Admirals.
• Relocating existing tenants at the same rental rates or subsidizing them for having to rent elsewhere.
• Traffic – what are you going to do about it. It’s already bad.
• Traffic implications, particularly egress in the case of an emergency. This is also be the case with the current Christie Point).
• Traffic with McKenzie interchange construction effect the Admirals/Craigflower intersection.
• Consideration for the school hasn’t been addressed.
• More traffic studies, additional documentation supporting your statement that growth from existing number of units to 500 units will “insignificantly “ impact traffic flow. I think that is a gross understatement.
• Emergency plans in case of earthquake or fire or other tenant emergencies i.e. heart attack etc.
• Yes, I think there should be more research on developing the sites, technical studies.
• Don’t know.
• Traffic at Old Island Highway major issue.
• Traffic impact on school re: traffic, highrise proximity to heliport

Please let us know what your think about the preliminary concept plans.

Comments:

• Your sketch of the proposed development is completely misleading. From our vantage point (directly across from Christie Point), even buildings 4 storeys high will eliminate our view of most of the trees. At 6 storeys, we won’t see the hills behind them, and at 9 storeys, we may as well live in James Bay. This is obvious even from the picture on your non-functioning website.
• Too many units. I am all about growth and redevelopment but this is too much for this area.
• The proposed increased density is out of scale in relation to the traffic problems it will create – it’s not going to be resolved – just pushed a bit further up Craigflower. It will still remain a bottleneck to reach the Helmcken intersection.
• High rises on such a small narrow point situated on a mud flat makes no sense.
• The buildings are too high. There is not enough area for parking.
• Too much density for the property.
• I mostly like the preliminary concept plan. My only concern going to 9 storeys. It is my opinion that 9 is too high and would significantly impact the natural beauty.
• Looks good, but housing for present residence has not been considered. How will Mackenzie interchange construction effect traffic while this construction is proposed.
• The OCP calls for 3 and 4 storeys - building height does not coincide with local thinking.
• Too visible over the portage inlet – buildings too high, too many trees gone, buildings dominate the view instead of natural shoreline.
• Well done so far.
• I find the plans are alright.
• Wonderful idea and great attributes!!
• See previous page. Also I’m concerned about the # of trees that will be taken out. Also, misplacing tenants who have lived there for years and who will likely have to move because they can’t afford the rent.
• Good. Do we need nine storeys?
• Ridiculous, no highrises!!! Too ambitious. Stick with 3 storeys.

Do you have any questions about the project that were not addressed in the Open House materials?

Comments:

• What’s going to happen to all the displaced residents? I am strongly opposed to the type of redevelopment you are proposing. There must be many other sites in View Royal far more suitable for high density housing, without the inherent environmental sensitivity attached to this project.
• There is insufficient consideration given to the visual impact of this project.
• Before Open House: Have given minimal consideration to concept as I oppose proceeding with any redevelopment plan. After [Open House]: Need community / Christie Point involvement in design plan and town amenities as part of approval i.e. bike paths, community garden, etc.
• Traffic, displacement, rental rates, # of places that would be offered to existing tenants, construction/displacement phasing. Everything is very vague. Residents in Saanich didn’t receive postcards re: Open House. Only know because I gave them flyer.
• Why has there been so much planning done without any consultation of residents, neighbours and the community.
• At the building planning stage – please deal with soundproofing!!! Currently floorboards squeak appallingly and we can almost hear our neighbours breath! Consider adequate storage areas – this is important.
• Possibilities of housing for residence during project has not been addressed.
• Traffic problems that currently exist are just being ignored. Traffic now at this area is absurd as it is without the addition of a potential 1000 more vehicles.
• The environment to do with a bird sanctuary is it still going to be the same, and another wildlife.
• Heating – will it be reasonably inexpensive as it is now?

Do you have any other comments you would like to share with the project team?

Comments:

• This is a bird sanctuary and environmentally sensitive area. The proposed development is completely inappropriate for the setting – and the suggestion that it would have little impact on traffic is ridiculous. In the 13 years that we have lived here, the bird populations have decreased dramatically. I can’t imagine what this will do to them.
• I personally find the current size perfect and would struggle to go much smaller. I would like to see a green building standard such as LEED put in place for the new design.
• Less units.
• The environmental issues pertaining to this important waterway year-rounds for a myriad of waterfowl species needs to be assessed in considerable in-depth study.
• Changing the density in an area close to family, single homes would adversely affect the neighbourhood.
• I respect the need for more housing but strongly feel tearing down a community is not the answer. There are other places to develop high density housing that would not create an abundance of negative repercussions for so many people. This is pure greed. It shows a lack of understanding for who lives at Christie Point and why they live there.
• This is too much density for the area and it will create further burdens on the existing traffic.
• Currently, Christie Point is a warm, and friendly, and close community. I would hate for this to be lost by making it too big and impersonal. Otherwise, I am excited by the prospect of new and redeveloped dwellings. I love living here and would live in no other place. Thank you.
• This project should not even be considered until after the McKenzie intersection is complete and the impact on traffic that is worse and worse every year.
• Not at this time.
• Wild life, the tenants, plus are rents market rate. Myself, I think the tenants that want to stay should pay the same rent, it shouldn’t change, only the new tenants should pay more.
• Wishing you the very best!
• Concerned about noise, traffic, dust during construction and increased traffic if the project goes through due to the higher density housing = more cars.
• It complements the Marine Trail project. See Councillor John Rogers.
• Not the right locale for high density. We are not downtown! This is not Toronto.