Dear Editor:
Freeport Industries states that it’s committed to constructing a building that fits into the neighbourhood. The proposal for 8709 Jubilee Rd. E., Summerland is for a five-storey, 60-unit apartment building with only just over 50 parking spaces. This does not begin to fit into the neighbourhood of one-storey townhouses and three-storey condominium buildings for about 300 homeowner residents, most of whom are retirees living quietly and peacefully.
This proposal will dramatically change things for the worse.
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The parking lot for the curling and hockey rinks could be used for the overflow parking needs.
The land is currently zoned for two-storey houses in a medium density development. The high density required for the proposed building means zoning changes for the building and parking.
The great majority of the neighbourhood residents are strongly opposed to the scale of this proposal and insufficiency of parking. It is wrong for this area.
If support for this proposal by the current mayor and council is given — it has already been rushed through first and second readings — this will callously disregard the residents’s determined opinions against it.
The current assessed value of the existing townhouses and condominiums is more than $300 million, which would be affected if this proposal is approved, but not for the better. A 10 per cent drop will mean a devaluation of $30 million.
I urge the residents of Summerland to persuade the mayor and council to only accept a proposal for this property that truly fits the medium density and storey limits of the existing buildings, so the current ambiance of the neighbourhood continues.
Michael Brooke
Summerland
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