The developer of a four-storey residential building, which would include some commercial space, that is proposed for the corner of Garden Street and Queens Road will have to deal with some parking issues before the City of Duncan will consider the application.
Happiness Town Holdings Ltd. has applied to the City of Duncan to construct the building, which is proposed to have 16 residential units with commercial space on the ground floor.
But the request to decrease the number of off-street parking spaces from the required 21 to 16, and to eliminate the required off-street loading space for a commercial unit, raised the concerns of members of council at its meeting on Nov. 2.
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Some council members also took issue with the fact that the proposed development doesn’t include a small lot at 63 Queens Rd. and the one-storey house sitting on it which is right next door to the proposed building.
At Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Garry Bruce acknowledged that the developer has suggested paying $125,000 cash-in-lieu for the five parking spaces that wouldn’t be part of the project, but said it doesn’t address the parking situation in the busy part of the city.
“It boggles the mind that the developer didn’t incorporate 63 Queens Rd. in the project,” he said.
“It’s orphaned there and it could help alleviate these parking problems.”
Duncan CAO Peter de Verteuil said that despite reported attempts to acquire the property at 63 Queens Rd., the developer decided not to purchase the neighbouring parcel.
“The property owner was holding out for a big payday and didn’t get it,” he said.
“That’s the choice of the property owner.”
Coun. Tom Duncan said the proposed project is “great looking”, but he can’t support it as it stands.
“We can’t plop down a building with not enough parking spaces in a busy area of the community,” he said.
“Where are visitors to the building and commercial vehicles supposed to park?”
Council decided to direct staff to ask the developers to address the deficiencies in parking for the development, and council will consider it again.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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