Lisa Helps, our City Council member who liaises the DRA Board reports that council proposes changes in the new year to the Land Use approval procedure. The current three person land use committee will be replaced by a Committee of the Whole for planning and land use issues. Thus all council members will hear proposals on alternate Thursdays to the regular council meetings. It is hoped this will provide more time for questions, to gather further information, and thus to speed development applications through the approval process.
1515 Douglas St - Jawl Properties
A CALUC meeting was held Oct 28
th at The Atrium on Yates St. Meeting was extremely well attended, 49 concerned citizens were there and none spoke against the project. Many gave very positive comments.
DRA has also received 2 letters regarding this proposal one from the DVBA (Downtown Victoria Business Association) and one from Firm Management representing 770 Cormorant St .Both letters strongly supported the proposed development.
DRA LUC has drafted a letter of in support noting the high quality of the project and applauding the revitalizaton of this prominent space across from City Hall.
1075 Pandora Ave
No further news. Lisa said the public hearing will be soon as the developer has addressed concerns raised by the city, DRA and neighbors. DRA will attend and submit a letter when called for.
777 Douglas St - Executive House Hotel
Proposed lobby expansion and improved landscape. DRA sees no concerns and Ian will send a letter of support for the proposal to the city.
Bridge Approaches
Thanks to the intervention of Lisa Helps, we finally got to meet with the city officials managing this very important project. Ian Sutherland (DRA Land Use Chair) with Shaun McIntyre from Merrick Architecture met with Victoria City Transportation and Infrastructure manager Brad Dellebuur and Steve Barber, Senior Heritage Planner to pitch an alternate plan for the proposed Plaza space fronting the Northern Junk project.
Our proposal was well received, however, ironically enough, the City folk noted that the contract had been already awarded for the original plan. Our comments would have been perhaps more useful much earlier, but for months we were unable to get them to agree to a meeting. Merrick distributed new graphics and DRA’s suggestions will be taken into consideration. Ian will distribute graphics to Land Use members and council for comments.
533 Yates St - The Reef Restaurant
The Reef has submitted an application to amend liquor licence to allow audience participation ( dance floor and DJ’s). The Reef is located next door to the nightclub Lucky Bar. The Reef has been in business for 12 years and has had no infractions during that time. DRA’s will send a letter to the city in support of the application.
1950 Blanshard St
Ian spoke with Alanna Holroyd of the Greater Victoria Rental Development Society who is partnering with developer Knappett Projects Ltd regarding the above property. This property is part of the Burnside-Gorge district and shares a border with our Downtown district. This is considered Rock Bay and is positioned across from the SOFMC (arena).
Ian will be in touch with the Burnside-Gorge LUC and their city liaison Charlayne Thornton-Joe to coordinate DRA Land Use Committee attendance at any meetings. The developer wishes to hold a pre-CALUC meeting next week to gather concerns and suggestions. The proposal is for a seven story commercial/residential mixed use building.
Legislative Precinct (James Bay)
An Open House regarding proposed changes to the legislative precinct will be held at Coast Harbourside Hotel 3:30 to 7:30 pm on Mon Dec 2
nd.
FUNDRAISER FOR PHILLIPINE DISASTER RELIEF
7 DECEMBER 2014
Here is something that DRA members may want to attend or participate in. Check out their websites and facebook.
Dear members of Victoria Downtown Residents Association
Like many Victorians, the staff and students at Stewart College feel keenly the hardship experienced by people in the Philippines as a result of Typhoon Haiyan. We have decided to arrange a fundraising event to support disaster relief in the Philippines, on Dec 7 from 11 am to 3 pm at our school on Courtney St.
The Philippines FUNdraiser will take the form of a craft fair, bake sale and flea market, with snacks and entertainment. All proceeds from table rentals, entrance tickets / donations and Stewart College sales tables will go to Shelterbox Canada to support Typhoon Haiyan victims.
We would love the members of our broader community to get involved too. Different ways your association or individual members could participate include:
· Rent a table ($10) to sell crafts or flea market items, or to promote your association to visitors
· Donate crafts, flea market items or baked goods for Stewart College to sell
· Volunteer a few hours on the day to help with the event, or from now to Dec 7 to help with preparations and promotion
· Put up a poster (see attached) in your association meeting place, or in individual members’ apartment buildings (we can drop some off for you)
· Share the event on Facebook, email members about it with a link to the website page, include it in the association newsletter, send a note home about it to parents of kids in childcare…
Information about the event can be found here:
Anything you can do to help support this event is much appreciated! Jennifer Hope and I are the main organizers of the event at the Stewart College – please do get in touch if your association or your members are interested in getting involved!
Best wishes
Kristina Stewart
Director of Operations
Stewart College
tel +1-250-388-7774 | fax +1-250-388-7728
850 Courtney Street, Victoria BC, V8W 1C4 Canada
Next DRA Board Meeting
Remember, all DRA Board Meetings are open to all members. There will be no meeting in December. The next Meeting will be at 5:30 pm Wednesday 15 January 2014 at the Silver Threads Centre, 1728 Douglas street.
AGM Coming Up: 23 January 2014
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 23 January 2014 at 5:30 pm at the Downtown Community Centre at 755 Pandora. Watch our media for details.
