CORRESPONDENCE: Concerns Regarding Cambridge Motel redevelopment
Citizen concern about the traffic impact of the proposed 273-unit development at Cambridge Motel.
From: Ramy Gerber Sent: May 6, 2023 6:30 PM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Subject: Concerns Regarding Cambridge Motel redevelopment
Dear View Royal Council members,
I want this letter to be part of the next Council meeting agenda.
I am writing you this letter today because my husband and I are concerned about the proposed development at Cambridge Motel properties. It has been clear for years that these buildings are at the end of their life, and it is time to redesign the area. Still, the current proposal will change the area's character and significantly impact traffic on Island Hwy and the residents of View Royal. We have been residents of View Royal for the last ten years. We travel Island Hwy twice a day, and the congestion has not improved, yet worsened, as the year has passed and the redevelopment of the highway in and out of town. The stop-and-go traffic impacts our environment and the mental wellness of the View Royal residents. In addition, adding 273 units will bring many more cars to this already busy road.
We would like to see a more balanced approach with considerations for the community’s needs and concerns. Redevelopment of this property is essential and greatly supported by us. However, we encourage the council to work with the developers to find a better solution that is more in line with the current concerns of the neighbourhood. We acknowledge that the ministry is forcefully encouraging more significant properties to alleviate some of the housing crisis, but this is not the correct location to create such density.
Three towers, with four floors each, would provide many more units for this land, but not impede the view or damage the visual landscape of this area and not impact the traffic too significantly, which we suffer each day.
We hope residents’ opinions and thoughts will be considered during decision-making. We love our community of View Royal and want to balance the need for additional housing and an extensive development's impact on our community.
Thank you for your consideration and responses.
Ramy Gerber