Courtenay council gave second reading Monday to a development application for a pub/condo proposal near the Air Park.
Whistle Stop Neighbourhood Pub owner Barry Van Dusen hopes to increase the seating capacity to 250, expand the outdoor patio and add a new liquor store on the ground level at 2355 Mansfield Dr. Above would be 30 condominiums. The five-storey building would front Mansfield.
The proposal drew a mix of comments from area residents at a neighbourhood meeting:
•Looks like a great development, nice addition to the local area.
•Access to Cliffe from either end of Mansfield is already difficult as there is no light or crosswalks. This development will increase pedestrian and car traffic significantly.
•I feel Mansfield Drive needs lights or a crosswalk at the Husky/Mansfield intersection.
•The Whistle Stop site is well-suited for mixed use development.
The City says the development will add minor delays for vehicles waiting to turn left onto Cliffe off Mansfield Drive North.
“However, some mitigation will be provided by active transportation options as residents occupying the development are much more likely to walk, cycle or take transit to key destinations,” a staff report states.
A public hearing will be held before council considers third reading.
East-West Connector
The CV Cycling Coalition is encouraging council to prioritize construction of a multi-use pathway to connect downtown with East Courtenay. The group notes the Cycling Network and Park/Rec Master Plans propose an extension at Tunner Drive coming from Back Road, running behind Superstore to cross 19A on the bypass to access Simms and Lewis parks.
“A multi-use paved path would not only be beneficial for many pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooters, but would also be much less expensive than constructing an entire roadway; and would likely be potentially in line for some Active Transportation grants from the Province,” coalition president Lawrence Vea states in a letter, which includes several signatory groups.
“I think as we consider a 6th Street Bridge option, this is really the piece that makes the 6th Street multi-modal bridge make sense as the way to get from east to west Courtenay,” Coun. Will Cole-Hamilton said.
The Transportation Ministry plans to reconstruct the 19A bypass.
Council approved a motion from David Frisch for staff to prepare a report about an East-West Connector.
Atrium at Braidwood
Council approved a development permit for a five-storey seniors residence at 925 Braidwood Rd. The Atrium at Braidwood will contain 161 suites — a mix of independent, assisted and memory care units. The property sits near the Comox Valley RCMP detachment, between the Old Island Highway and Back Road. The design includes a public path connecting Braidwood with Ryan Road, and a wandering garden for memory care residents.
Apartment proposal
Council approved third reading of a rezoning application for a 118-unit apartment building. Veyron Properties Group plans to build the five-storey complex at 1025 Ryan Rd. near Superstore. The apartments will be a mix of micro units (less than 29 square metres), studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms. Veyron had offered to cap the rental rates for six units at $812.50 per month. The company has since increased the number of affordable units to eight. It’s also offering a six-month pre-paid bus pass to the first occupants of the eight suites.