Dear Editor:
In 2006 Wesbrook sold the McBride-Sapperton Residents' Association (MSRA) a bill of goods, so to speak. The brewery site was to be a sort of Sapperton Village. The site is a sloping triangle shape. So to minimize view blockages and avoid a "Great Wall effect," the proposed buildings were
to be eight storeys, 12 storeys, 16 storeys and 28 storeys. These buildings were to be architecturally significant. A nice glossy brochure was distributed by Wesbrook, and everyone was more or less satisfied.
Although not really happy with the tallest buildings, as a compromise, the MSRA endorsed the concept and wrote a letter to council at that time.
At the latest MSRA meeting, Wesbrook indicated that the buildings will be 18 storeys, 18 storeys, 18 storeys and 30 storeys. We were shocked, to say the least. This is, I believe, the zoning that the current council put in place after receiving the letter from the MSRA. From the renderings, the buildings are pretty nondescript, and indeed are a "Great Wall."
How is it that this occurred? Seems to me that, either it was a bait and switch on Wesbrook's part, or council had plans of its own. Maybe both? I don't know, but the upshot is that, once again we are being run over roughshod.
The jewel of the community that is Sapperton is being sacrificed on the altar of density. It seems that the current council won't be happy until we all live in condos and Sapperton is a Metrotown clone.
The current council seems to be either bending over backward to accommodate developers, or blindly ideologically driven, to make decisions directly opposite to the wishes and well being of residents. It is time for change. The current councillors have a culture of entitlement and arrogance. Consider that when you mark your ballot.
Ross Eichendorf, Sapperton
