Opposition to a proposed White Rock highrise is growing.
Residents gearing up for next week’s public hearing on the matter took their concerns with the Vidal Street project to the sidewalks Saturday, carrying placards and collecting signatures in hopes of sending White Rock politicians a clear message.
Fiona MacDermid, who lives across from the proposed site, was among area residents who displayed their objection to the 12-storey project.
“I think we’re sort of very frustrated and fed up, and I think maybe it’s the only way to let people know how we feel down at city hall,” MacDermid said.
The plan proposes 12 townhomes and 97 apartment units at 1467 to 1519 Vidal St., and will be the subject of a public hearing on April 29.
Council voted 4-2 on March 25 to move it forward for public discussion, with Coun. Al Campbell and Mayor Wayne Baldwin opposed; Coun. Helen Fathers, who had voiced opposition at the March 11 land-use committee meeting, was absent.
City staff had recommended rejecting, based on concerns with proposed heights and densities for the area, the loss of mature trees, the potential for traffic increase and the necessary relocation of a dedicated city-owned pathway.
MacDermid said protesters are not anti-development – “but we’re against crazy development.”
However, one resident of the 14-unit Mariners’ Reach – the subject property – said he knows of many who support the plan.
John Duke said he believes those who oppose it perhaps aren’t aware of its benefits, including a plan to devote one-third of the lot to public space – something that would not be possible with a townhouse project on the site.
“When I see townhouse projects being built here, they’re nice but they cover virtually every bit of land that they can,” said Duke, a 13-year resident of the area.
The planned highrise is “a very nice-looking concrete building,” he added. “I can understand (opponents’) concerns. They’re valid. But this open space allows for the trees that are there to be retained. (The plan is) something that I think people should take a look at.”
Duke described the proponents as “one of the best developers around.”
“There’s certainly lots of support for a project like this. From what I’m reading, I don’t think they’ve heard all the benefits to this.”
Word of Saturday’s protest plan was shared at a meeting held Thursday evening at the White Rock Community Centre.
Organizer Lillian Zubor – also a Vidal Street resident – said strategies discussed by 30 attendees included a “call to action.”
“We don’t want to appear that we’re against development because you can’t stop progress,” she said. “At the same time, we can’t put the whole world in White Rock.
“Something’s got to give.”
