Garden store may be topped with housing

A Porter Creek couple has asked council's permission to build a four-storey multiple-housing unit on top of their garden store.

A Porter Creek couple has asked council’s permission to build a four-storey multiple-housing unit on top of their garden store.

The Porter Creek Indoor Garden Store owners appeared at Monday evening’s standing committee meeting, where their request was introduced to council.

“In March 2008, an application for a development permit was received from Rolland and Mary Girouard to build a 12-unit multiple housing development at 1307 Centennial Street,“ said senior city planner Mike Gau.

“Upon review of the plans, it was determined that the proposed development exceeded the permissible height limit and that zoning amendment would be required.“

The application asks the city to amend the CM2X-Mixed Use Commercial 2 (restricted) zoning to allow a building with a maximum 20-metre or four-storey height. The zoning currently allows for two-storey, or 10-metre-high buildings.

The Girouards expressed to planners they wish to operate their garden store out of the ground floor, and have 12 condo units on the upper three floors.

Gau told council the Official Community Plan (OCP) is silent with respect to height restrictions in the area, but does support the density.

“Increasing the building height will encourage neighbourhood densification along Centennial Street,“ he said, reading from a prepared report.

Though the lots beside the Girouards are all zoned the same, this height allowance would only apply to their lot, said Gau.

But that didn’t ease councillor’s concerns.

They expressed concern that four-storey buildings in Porter Creek would detract from downtown businesses, and that permitting this application to go through would be a slippery slope if others made similar applications.

“Is this good building practice?“ asked Coun. Dave Stockdale.

“It might create some problems.“

Rolland Girouard told council the couple intends to build an underground parking garage, to sell off 10 of the units as condominiums and keep two for themselves.

This application will return to council at next Monday’s council meeting to be given first reading. A public hearing is scheduled for May 12.