Dear editor,
Many Comox residents have watched in awe as the Comox Harbour Centre has replaced a beautiful focal point of Comox.
Town officials are calling this a “perceived loss of corridor views.”
If one believes that this building has equal visual appeal to the water and mountain views it covers, then there is no loss of view. However, the residents of Comox who I know believe water views are more valued.
Last Friday I watched a King’s Crown go on this building. It is over 30 feet wide and six feet high. Its purpose is to hide mechanical equipment less than a quarter of this size.
The rest of the crown serves only to block water views from the public. It is non-functional and is cosmetic.
Some planning department personnel and Town council members believe this building is a greater asset to Comox than the view lost by the community. This puts the developer in a very powerful position to maximize every allowable square inch.
However, blocking prime views with non-functional barricades is simply disrespectful to the public. Citizens have been requesting that this roof screening be left off, or reduced in size, since last August.
I believe Comox Harbour Centre developers really missed an opportunity by not actively encouraging full and meaningful public consultation throughout this project. I believe the result could have been a centre that truly complemented community and private interests.
I publicly request that the builder, municipal planner or council take the steps necessary to reduce or eliminate the view blocking screens from the roof of the Comox Harbour Centre.
I appreciate that the HVAC unit on the roof may not be esthetically pleasing but the coverup is far more damaging than inappropriately positioned mechanical equipment. This is a view-sensitive building site and such a minimal consideration as a clear roof should have been part of the design.
I know, based on concerned citizens who have spoken to me or have written to me at corridorview@gmail.com, that people perceive that view has been lost.
Giving us back this window of view, with no loss in usable real estate to the builder, would be a win for all.
Don Andersen,
Comox