Correspondence from Cathie Blanchard: Bylaws 1060 and 1061
A resident's letter expressing disappointment with land use designations and height limits on Island Highway.
From: Cathie Blanchard Sent: Friday, April 16, 2021 2:17 PM To: Info Address info@viewroyal.ca Subject: re: Bylaw 1060 and 1061 on April 20, 2021 agenda
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am very disappointed to hear that you appear to have reviewed community comments and decided to go against the OCP Land Use designations you considered desirable in Sept 2020, in which you determined best use of the Helmcken/Island Hwy properties would be NMU with a limit of 3 storeys.
https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Documents-Forms/Planning Development/OCP%20Land%20Use%20Map%20Sept2020.pdf
The OCP of 2011, with multiple amendments, does not indicate a high-rise development in that neighborhood. It says:
The Harbour-Helmcken Community Corridor mixed-use area is planned along the Island Highway located between the Harbour and Helmcken neighbourhoods. Mixed residential and limited, ground-level and small format commercial development will support a more pedestrian-friendly environment, intended to serve local residents in both neighbourhoods. The revitalization of this corridor will reinforce the Island Highway-Helmcken Road intersection as an important “crossroads” in the community.
Maybe the time to consider the vision for the community is during the revision of the OCP and the zoning map, not following a developer's submission of a varying concept. As I happened to be sitting in my car on a rainy day, I took a picture of the 4 storey building at Eagle Creek.
Imagine adding 2 more storeys and looking up at it from the stoplight at Helmcken and Island Highway. It is going to be quite the imposing facade, and I wish I meant that in a good way.
Thank you Cathie Blanchard 290 Island Highway
