The height and design of two towers planned near Westbay Marine Village in Esquimalt have been rejected and sent back to the developer, while a new development at the Legion site has been given the go-ahead.
A public hearing for a rezoning application for the proposed Triangle Estates proposed for 468 Head St., within a triangle bordered by Head, Gore and Lyall streets, was rejected.
Objections were not to the idea of development but rather the 10-storey height and design of its two towers. Some also argued for more of a “marine” theme. The public hearing lasted more than three hours.
“People very much support development, and we want it there, but not this, not in its current form,” Coun. Dave Hodgins said Tuesday.
The proposal is for a commercial mixed-use building containing one retail commercial space with second-floor office space above, four live-work units and about 85 residential units. The portion along the street is two storeys high, while the two 10-storey towers are set back.
The decisions mean development manager Mark Lindholm must reconsider the height of the proposed buildings and design. He could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.
There was no consensus Monday night on what a marine village looks like or on what the ideal height would be — suggestions ranged from four to six storeys.
Meanwhile, a rezoning application for the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 172, at 622 Admirals Rd., by developer Chris Fitzpatrick was passed.
The rezoning changes the core commercial zoning to a comprehensive development zone to accommodate a commercial and residential mixed-use development — a 12-storey building including 152 independent living units for seniors, a commercial area including the legion’s facility, and general commercial space.
“It’s going to create a great streetscape,” Hodgins said.
The development now moves on to the development permit stage. “That’s a huge move forward,” he said. “It’s pretty much a done deal now.”
