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Think carefully about Christie Point project realities: resident

A View Royal resident encourages council and Mayor David Screech to say 'no' to the redevelopment of Christie Point.

Re: Redevelopment proposal for Christie Point.

Realstar has applied for rezoning from RM-1 to a new comprehensive development zoning, CD-22. While it is not uncommon for a new zoning designation to be created for a unique site, this classification also falls outside the intent of the View Royal official community plan.

The OCP “is the outcome of over a year of research, public participation and planning.” Mixed Residential (RM-1) specifies that a maximum of four storeys are permitted for apartment dwellings. The OCP also states that: “All subsequent amendments of the new zoning bylaw must be consistent with this Plan.”

Realstar has already been granted permission to violate the timeline stated in Section 4(b) of the View Royal’s Development Procedures Bylaw No. 730. Town planner James Davison sent a written reply to my email, stating that the infraction was sanctioned because: “In this specific case, the applicant had expressed a strong desire to be sensitive to the residents of Christie Point in the face of what has been a very high-profile application.”

Realstar’s illustrations are primarily computer generated images. Their portrayal of the new buildings’ night lighting was obviously inaccurate and misleading when compared to an actual photograph shown by a member of the Portage Inlet Protection Society.

Christie Point is not the appropriate site for six-storey buildings.

Studies must be completed, roads reconfigured and the actual effect of the many current construction projects in the View Royal area, which is used by commuters on the ‘Colwood Crawl,’ must be observed before Realstar’s application for rezoning is even considered.

The current rental vacancy rate in the region is 0.5 per cent. For pet owners, my research has found that rate to range from zero to 0.07 per cent. This is not viable for any resident facing renovicton, let alone for the many tenants of Christie Point who share their lives with pet companions.

Now is not the appropriate time. The vast majority of the speakers and community presenters, at both the packed Town council meeting on Jan. 17 and the special committee of the whole meeting on Feb. 15, spoke against Realstar’s proposal.

I beseech Mayor Screech to adhere to his election slogan: “residents first” and to heed the views of the residents of View Royal. I appeal to Town councillors to do the same.

Say “No” to Realstar.

Judith NewnhamView Royal