Developer can submit new proposal

Re: “Development must be sensitive,” letter, March 3.

I am mildly astonished at the strength of the reaction to Victoria council’s rejection of the proposal to build 44 rental units at 1120-1128 Burdett Ave. From my viewpoint, the issues were: • The proposed project was too large for the site and affected the neighbours adversely in a variety of ways. • Streetscape: The much-mentioned four-storey building next door does not present as a large building to Burdett Street because it is angled away from the road and the site is densely planted with mature trees that screen the building. • Council has a duty to evaluate proposed developments with a view to the impact on the neighbourhood and to balance the good and bad aspects of the development. They did so; 50 per cent of the councillors present found the proposed development, on balance, was not a good fit for the area. • The rental suites were said to be “affordable.” However, at current rental rates for “new builds” at $3 per square foot — a two-bedroom, 800square-foot suite would have rented for $2,400.

Council did not confiscate the property and deny Empresa the right to reapply with a different proposal.

Empresa can redesign the project and come back with a proposal that will be more in tune with the neighbourhood. The rental housing that Victoria needs will be built on this site when Empresa presents a design more suitable to both the size of the lot and the character of the neighbourhood.

Paula McGahon Victoria