SILVERBACK PUBLIC HEARING

The piece of land that the developer has named the “Seaside Village” runs from the road to the end of a small peninsula on the Inlet. I can best comprehend its size by comparing it to something I know—it is a bit smaller than the area from Trail to Shorncliffe that is the site of the Trail Bay Mall, the Municipal Hall, the Seaside Centre and the Courthouse.

The bylaw passed at first reading would authorize two 6-storey buildings and six 12-storey buildings on this piece of land. At the public information meeting I asked if the intention was actually to build six 12-storey buildings and Mr. Phillips replied No, we want to keep our options open. The developer agreed to reduce the heights of the 12-storey buildings to 6 storeys, temporarily. It appears that the bylaw under consideration at this hearing reflects this change. The “options” would now include eight 6-storey buildings. Imagine for a moment eight 6-storey buildings between Trail and Shorncliffe and then move them in your mind to this bit of rural land on the Inlet. Then increase some of them to 12 storeys.

The developers drawings at the public information meeting showed 2-storey buildings on the waterfront. Marketing descriptions of the proposal don’t matter here. What matters is the bylaw. That is what fixes the outside limits of what can be built. I think that the developer is not far enough along in its planning if no decisions have been made as to the actual height of these buildings.

There are important issues here:

First—this bylaw would set precedents for authorizing tall buildings and for transferring density to waterfront land. It is not unreasonable to expect that future development applications will expect to receive approval for similar proposals. This would be a major change in our community and should not be treated as a one-off decision. I submit that consultation with the community should be conducted before making this decision.

Second—this bylaw reflects a plan but not a final proposal. Most comprehensive development applications include footprints and elevations. This has only a map. It is a blank slate. I submit that the developer should finalize the plans first and a new bylaw should be introduced.

Alice Janisch

October 19, 2006