Email and Attachment from T. Ankenman, Architect

From: Timothy Ankenman Sent: Friday, November 6, 2020 5:12 PM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Cc: Jeff Chow JChow@viewroyal.ca; JEFFREY SENGARA Subject: Old Island

Dear Worship & Council:

Thank you so much for considering our readings for this project earlier this week. I was not able to turn on my audio when I was asked to speak which was very unfortunate but as you know would not have changed the required outcome of Council's decision regardless, as the bylaws were not written as intended.

.I did wish to take this opportunity to address a major issue that did come up in this week's meeting - specifically, a potential "white elephant" for the ground floor retail space intended as a neighbourhood grocer due to the site's access constraints.

This comment came as a big shock to me as we have had nothing but positive interest from various grocery store chains that completely understand the access constraints. Accordingly, we have asked for a letter from our marketing team to provide Council with the needed comfort level that there is no reason to believe whatsoever that a grocery store in this location will be anything but highly successful and in fact the only thing currently holding us up from pursuing a lease is not having any current land zoning entitlements. I have attached the letter from our marketing team herein.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to clarify that our commitment to zoning the ground floor use to neighbourhood commercial (only) is unwavered. We are 100% committed to this use and it was very unfortunate that this was overlooked in the bylaws, the drafts of which we were not given the opportunity to review beforehand. However we have discussed this since with the Planner Mr. Jefff Chow (cc'd here) and he has committed to make the necessary adjustments and we are scheduled for the next Council meeting. I will ensure my audio works at that time!

To be clear - we understand that a large rationale for the additional height and density being considered on this site is due to the community benefit offering at the ground floor and if for any reason this use proves unsuccessful, we share Council sentiments that any change to that use would first have to be considered by Council and the Community.

I trust this clarifies and answers any Council concerns but as always should you have any further questions or comments please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Timothy Ankenman Architect | AIBC | MRAIC | M.Arch. | AIA | Founding Principal

1645 W 5 Avenue, Vancouver B.C. Canada V6J 1N5 www.amarchitects.com

PLEASE NOTE !! Due to the Corona Virus outbreak, our Team at AMA is working remotely during these trying times. Please call Timothy Ankenman on his cell phone @ (604) 506-9689, not the office number above until further notice.

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Dear View Royal Council Members,

During this week's Council meeting we understand that one Council member raised a concern that due to the site's access constraints about the viability of the proposed 6,000 sq. ft. neighbourhood grocery store proposed for this project. I am writing to acknowledge the fact that myself along with colleagues at Colliers International have received interest from multiple local grocers to occupy the commercial space at 298 Island Hwy.

As we are not yet zoned for this project we are not able to secure a lease currently. However, we will select the ideal grocery group for this space once our proposed rezoning of 298 Island Hwy has been officially approved (should Council eventually approve the current zoning proposal) and we will be customizing the particular grocery store chain's requirements (ie, signage packages, final storefront etc.) when we work towards a Building Permit.

Please accept this letter that Council can be rest-assured that there is no lack of interest from various grocers at this location and despite the access constraints, and based on the extremely positive feedback and interest we have received thus far that we are convinced that this will be a very successful use for this important corner intersection. The volume of pedestrian traffic that will access the site, the immediate availability of Public Transit and associated bus stops, the lack of any other similar use in the immediate vicinity, the fact that those arriving by vehicle will be "destination-oriented" and the ease in which the adjacent surface commercial parking has been designed for those traveling to the facility all outweigh the access constraints. Finally, visitors will learn their preferred route as they start to use the store.

Best,

Lewis Ratcliff - The Ratcliff Group Private Office Advisor Personal Real Estate Corporation Engel & Völkers Vancouver Island Westshore #137 - 1325 Bear Mountain Parkway Langford, BC Canada, V9B 6T8 Mobile: 778 679 8431 lewis.ratcliff@engelvoelkers.com

LEWIS RATCLIFF Mobile: 778.679.8431 Email: lewis.ratcliff@evcanada.com lewisratcliff.com