First Capital Realty Inc’s revised redevelopment plans for Port Place Mall were presented to the Design Advisory Panel on Thursday evening, along with 4 other projects: 888 Bruce (DP000653), 6461 Metral Dr (DP000655), 650 Terminal Ave (Husky Gas Station).

I was happy to see representatives from the adjoining neighbourhood associations in attendance.

Details of the development permit applications can be found on the City’s website at NanaimoMap — select the “development” option in the “themes” menu. The revised Port Place plans were not posted yet though when I looked earlier today. The rezoning application detail, also, has not been posted.

The Port Place plans have undergone considerable alteration. The smaller project — to build a stand-alone slab commercial building at 9 Nicol St ran into provincial Department of Highways complications that required that area to be reworked. The catalyst however for a much broader reworking was the requirement to ensure for the anchor tenants a certain number of parking stalls.

The reworked plans now group the residential component at the north end of the site including the tower. There is an additional longer term plan to build row houses and condos facing Piper Park.

This grouping I would say is an improvement in that it lays the groundwork for a possible eventual residential “neighbourhood” with amenities within walking distance and the housing stock likely to result in a mix of incomes. Whether any of this residential component will ever be built is another question… If a new streetcape is developed along Piper Park it could accomplish extending the street grid from Commercial down Museum Way and connected to the harbour.

The City and the proponent continue to promote the new access and egress alignment as at “street”. I continue to wonder if publicly owned streets have become sound public policy.

This is still a suburban shopping mall in our downtown core however. Once this amount of surface parking is entrenched here, we’re stuck with it for between 15 and 25 years.

Another opportunity lost I’m afraid.

Frank Murphy

Before I report on the Thursday Design Advisory Panel (DAP) meeting at which the revised Port Place Mall redevelopment plans were reviewed, some impressions of the advisory committee system itself.

The DAP is made up of volunteers appointed by Council and as its Terms of Reference explains they are chosen from the fields of architecture (2), design, and landscape architecture, in addition to a City Heritage Commission representative and 3 at-large members.

There is a lot of talent sitting around this table. These are volunteers offering their expertise to help the Planning Department work with developers and to evaluate and Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks for taking the time to explain this to me Andrew. I appreciate it.

Frank

On 26/05/2010 11:52 AM, Andrew Tucker wrote:

Frank,

You are incorrect. The development permit for 9 Nicol Street (DP613) does not require Council approval. It meets the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw with only one minor variance (which is less than 50% of the required standard). The required building setback is 4.5 metres fronting Nicol Street. The proposed building siting is 2.3 m. (7.58 ft.) from Nicol Street. The proposed setback variance is less than 50 % of the bylaw standard so the DP will be signed off by the General Manager of Development Services.

Section 920 of the Local Government Act provides the statutory authority for the issuance of DPs including the option for Council to delegate its authority. Development Permits (DPs) are not like rezoning applications where a change in use or density is requested. Instead, the legislation for DPs does not require any public process in their approval and stipulates that DPs can only address the general form and character of the proposed building and not particulars of exterior design and finish. Case law has confirmed that the discretion of Council is extremely limited with regards to DPs and that Council cannot refuse to issue a DP for design elements.

Under the City’s delegation by-law (Bylaw 7031), the General Manager of Development Services is delegated the authority to approve the DP. The process by which this occurs is that, following acceptance by the Design Advisory Panel, the application is posted for 5 days in the Councillors’ office for their review and information and then signed off by the GM Development Services. Approximately 64% of all DP applications received by the City are approved by the GM of Development Services following posting.

I trust this clarifies the processing of Read the rest of this entry »

REVISED

PORT PLACE MALL REDEVELOPMENT

PLANS

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CITY HALL BOARD ROOM

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THURS. MAY 27TH 5:00 PM

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The revised plans of First Capital Realty’s Port Place Mall Development Permit Application (D000614) are on the agenda of the Design Advisory Panel which meets at the City Hall Board Room. Thursday May 27th at 5:00 pm. This meeting, as are all City Committee and Commission meetings is open to the public.

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Plan to attend and see the revised plans!

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Thanks, Mayor Ruttan, for your reply to my request to seek the input of architect Franc D’Ambrosio, author of the award-winning City of Nanaimo Downtown Urban Design Plan and Guidelines, as you review the Port Place Mall redevelopment applications. A quick follow up if you’ll permit me.

Your detailed note helped me understand better a number of the complexities involved in these applications. In honesty, though I’m unable to understand how it could be detrimental to you or your colleagues on Council to include Mr D’Ambrosio’s perspective in your decision-making on the Read the rest of this entry »