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Appropriate density critical for Royal Bay

Colwood development needs to blend in with surrounding built environment

Re: Density increase still possible for Royal Bay (Letters, June 19)

I would like to add a few points to Sandra Jones’ letter, if I may. While Colwood’s planning committee did vote unanimously to defer the application, more concerning to residents should be the planning department’s desire to increase density at every opportunity.

While most of us agree that proper use of land needs to consider the density, it must be looked at in context with the surrounding, already constructed development.

After dealing with this issue for almost 10 months, I unfortunately have no choice but to believe that the planning department supported the initial application, which was for 128 units, consisting of two large, seven-floor buildings. The city has certainly provided no evidence to the contrary.

The planning department should have simply rejected it, as its scale was so obviously inappropriate.

I support an individual’s right to develop their property to its highest and best use, but I also request the planning department has as its primary mandate the protection of the surrounding residents and their investments.

This lot is the final piece in a wonderful development that should be a model for neighbourhood design and should be completed as the original architects envisioned, not slapped together to “fill the hole.”

Ian Patella

Colwood