Eirah Unger and Kim Tymkow will give local musicians a new place to perform and record just outside Courtenay's downtown core.
Courtenay council approved a development permit with variances for Tessitura Flats, a project that features a four-storey mixed commercial and residential building at 574 Cumberland Rd. and 908 Grieve Ave. — near the school board office and fire hall — last week.
The plans for Tessitura Flats call for a performance studio, primarily for music, which will accommodate up to 180 people and will function as both a venue for live music and a recording studio.
There would be 13 housing units, with a variety of unit sizes and types to provide a range of affordability options.
Two retail spaces — one of which would act as an adjunct to the performance space — would front onto Cumberland Road, and there would be five live/work units. It would all be oriented around a central courtyard.
The proposal also incorporates underground parking for 26 cars, improvements to the Cumberland Road boulevard, and energy conservation and sustainability features based on Build Green.
Councillors were unanimous in their support for Tessitura Flats.
Council received two letters opposed to the project.
One writer, whose company owns one of the immediately adjacent properties, was concerned about the building height, the loading area and lane use, off-street parking, landscaping and noise.
Coun. Murray Presley, whose office building is almost kitty corner across from the development, was happy to support it.
"I would think whatever was built on the property would be a lot better than what's there right now," he said. "I like this development because it's unique."
Coun. Doug Hillian felt the project would be good for the area.
"I think what's proposed is a pretty interesting building," he said. "I think it's ironic the letter writer was talking about development taking away from the city's charm and character, but this building will bring charm to that area."
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com