Dear Editor:
An open letter to New Westminster mayor and councillors, design panel committee, and Wesgroup:
On Oct. 28, 2014, I and several other residents (from both Sapperton and other parts of New Westminster) attended the design panel meeting at city hall, specifically for the presentation related to the Brewery District site.
BACKGROUND
Several years ago (2006/2007), Sapperton residents expressed concerns about the proposed height of the buildings at the Village at Historic Sapperton. At that point they were to be eight, 12, 16, and 28 to 30 (with the shortest at the foot of Alberta street because, developers acknowledged, that was the one spot where there was the greatest risk of destroying the views of both residents and visitors to the Fraser Cemetery). The development was also designed to fit the unique triangular-shaped slope of the spot and to avoid having a whole wall of buildings.
After we residents expressed our concerns, largely about the height of the tallest building, the city allowed Wesgroup to transfer some space from the tallest building to the lower buildings. Somehow, Wesgroup took this to mean that they could do whatever they wanted, regardless of what Sapperton residents thought, and are now planning to have the buildings at 18, 18, 18, and 30 storeys (with trees on top, apparently). The city seems to think that this is acceptable (although, to be honest, several councillors I've spoken to had no idea this was happening).
CURRENT PROBLEM
Because residents seemed to have little say or recourse in this matter, I decided to take time off work to attend the design panel meeting.
What transpired at that meeting was very concerning, both with regard to the project itself and to the city's handling of the situation.
As you know, residents are not allowed to speak at the design panel meeting, so it is up to us to trust that the city representative, in this case, Jim Hurst, will speak on our behalf. Based on his handling of the situation, however, I am convinced that he sees his job as promoting the development to members of the design panel. Therefore, I'd like to respond personally to a few of the issues that were presented but that we residents could not comment on.
1) The focus of the meeting was not on the buildings and their effect on the community, nor on the inevitable increase in traffic that will result from this development, but on incidentals such as what sort of trees would be planted and what the roof would look like.
2) One presenter from Wesgroup presented illustrations of the shadows that the first new highrise building would cause. I noticed that there were no illustrations of shadows before 10 a.m. I personally walk down Simpson Street at about 7 a.m. each morning on my way to the SkyTrain station, and notice that the shadows of the current structures on the brewery site extend quite a ways up the street. I can't imagine how far up Alberta Street the shadows from 18-storey Building 4 will extend, but find it rather negligent on Wesgroup's part to exclude such important information from both the design panel and Sapperton residents.
3) The same presenter spoke at length about the wonderful views that this building would offer. I don't doubt it. This is the view that I and other Sapperton residents will be losing. Why are the views of newcomers to the city prioritized over those of current residents? What about the iconic view from the Fraser Cemetery, enjoyed by those from all over New West (and beyond)? Doesn't the city care about that?
4) Another presenter raved on about amenities. These amenities are for those in the condos only, not for Sapperton residents, so promoting such amenities to the city and the design panel should not be a priority. Sapperton residents' concerns regarding height, placement, and traffic should be addressed first.
5) And finally, two members of the design panel referred to the letter recently submitted by the Sapperton Residents' Association, and asked for more information on residents' concerns. And this is where Jim Hurst skirted the issue, making it sound as though residents' concerns were addressed with the increased height of the three shorter buildings to 18 storeys while maintaining the original 30 storeys. This, of course, is untrue. The increased height of these buildings is exactly what residents take issue with. Unfortunately, the design panel member accepted Mr. Hurst's response, stating, "That transfer of density works for me." How dare Jim Hurst misrepresent residents' concerns to the design panel on such an important issue? His job is not to play the role of Wesgroup's salesperson.
SOLUTIONS?
To city council, I ask: How are you going to remedy this situation so that Sapperton residents' concerns are acknowledged and addressed? And how will you prevent such bait-and-switch transactions from occurring in the first place?
To the design panel, I ask: Is there a way for residents to have their concerns about the Brewery District project heard? It's apparent that the city spokesperson on the project is not representing the community.
And to Wesgroup, I ask: Why did you disregard the residents' concerns? And why do you continue to mislead the public by advertising the wrong heights on your website and in all marketing materials, several years after promoting shorter buildings to residents? How do you expect condo purchasers to trust that you will keep your word on the units you sell, when you've blatantly misled community members at the design phase?
I look forward to hearing from you on these issues.
Best regards,
Barb Adamski, New Westminster
