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Level 1
StratResident
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Posted on May 3, 2024
As others have noted, removing the requirement for commercial space seems like a mistake. The location on 99th St is surrounded by residential towers, but there isn't much to attract residents to make it a place where people do more than sleep. 99th st is (as someone as said) a dusty vehicle corridor with nothing to recommend it to pedestrians and neighbors. It will remain little more than a corridor for a high volume of vehicle traffic if there aren't more commercial establishments at ground level.
Level 1
METurnbull
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Posted on May 2, 2024
I know you asked that we not repeat, but it bears repeating ... I dream of you all sitting there, hands on your heads saying, 'oh no, not that again,' giving up and finally just writing it up. "Essential and loved amenities" were taken from this site. Once upon a time we had it all. Lest we forget, along with the cafe (red leather couch, family photos, proud history, raspberry and white chocolate scones), grocery store, etc. went the Serendipity art gallery. We want 'em all back. So yes to development of the site, but not without mandatory commercial space. And dare I say, assurances that the infrastructure to support is sound.
Level 1
Winston
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Posted on May 1, 2024
I fully support the development of the site, however, I feel very strongly that commercial should absolutely be required for the gruund floor (even if that means increasing the build height to maintain the viability of the project). Essential and loved amenities were taken from this community in that last development that ultimately died. We need these services back (look how successful the Ritchie hub has been) and I just don't see how this isn't a no-brainer.
Level 1
B.T. Mickey
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Posted on May 1, 2024
Echoing the previous comments with the belief that there is power in numbers, this community was definitely delivered a blow with the previous removal of key services (groceries, bakery, cafe, etc.). Mandatory commercial space should be strongly considered to boost community vibrancy, reduce reliance on cars and improve walkability, and increase overall quality of life for those who live here. Ritchie is a perfect example of how small local businesses and essential services can radically improve a community.
Level 1
Linda Duncan
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Posted on May 1, 2024
The big clearly false promise by the city was that with up-zoning there is a guarantee of 15 minute services to a community. The previous zoning gave us a grocery, cafe, restaurant, wine bar and beauty salon plus clothing designer on second floor. Now with this zoning we get zero services. The promise is a sham. The only cafe newly developed is in a one story building. Pleased the density is reduced.
Level 1
Carter
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Posted on Apr 30, 2024
I would support this rezoning if the commercial is required rather than optional. One commenter mentioned this should be an MU zone rather than an RM? I am not sure of that as I am not familiar enough with the zoning bylaw, but I support mandatory commercial on the main floor - at least on the street/ corners facing 99th. Removing the potential for amenities in this area would be a huge loss to communities and with the coffee shop on the other side of the street, this area has great potential for becoming a hub again
Level 1
hippieswearboots
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Posted on Apr 29, 2024
Commercial space on the first floor should remain mandatory for this lot. A large missing element of the Strathcona Neighborhood Renewal project (the improvement of our sidewalks, roadways, bikeways, and gathering spaces) was the lack things to walk TO. Since this location has closed, the neighborhood has suffered for lack of amenities. Letting this project rezone to reduce commercial outlets is a mistake that runs counter to the city's goal of reducing emissions and increasing density.
Level 1
TDoc
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Posted on Apr 28, 2024
I would like to see commercial on the ground level. Our community would support this and this lot previously was a vibrant commercial space and could be again. It would likely bring other commercial opportunities to this area of 99th making the location more desirable. Commercial will increase the quality of life for residents and neighbors and the sustainability of the community by reducing driving times to access commercial spaces.
Level 1
Ddwyeg
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Posted on Apr 28, 2024
I think this is an excellent option for rezoning this land and provides flexibility needed to actually build here. Given the history of this site I'm frankly disappointed that there is any opposition to this proposal. I would like to see commercial and mixed unit residential, widening the sidewalk with trees etc but I also know those details are far more realistically addressed at DP. This zoning provides the basic form and density and is very reasonable for this site and frankly lower density and scale than I expected.
Level 1
Pen
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Posted on Apr 27, 2024
I think commercial should be mandatory. We really need more shops , especially grocery, within walking distance.
Level 1
NZY
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Posted on Apr 27, 2024
I believe a commercial space is critical to the vibrancy of this neighbourhood. To have a lack of walkable amenities will impact the decision of young families to establish households in the area if the area is purely residential. The success of the new coffee shop is demonstrative to the need of having community spaces on the east side of 99th Street. Also having commercial spaces will increase the level of safety in the area.
Level 1
Katherine
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Posted on Apr 27, 2024
This location needs commercial at ground level - ideally a grocery store. This location used to be a vibrant local gathering place and it is sorely missed. We also need assurances that the landscaping will improve walkability along 99th (I agree with the earlier post about 99th currently being a desolate dust bowl). I’m also supportive of more floors for more housing. More neighbours would increase the viability of local businesses and increased foot traffic increases safety for all.
Level 1
Dianne Chisholm
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Posted on Apr 27, 2024
I strongly recommend that this application be approved only if it provides substantial commercial/retail space on the ground floor of its proposed eight-floor development.
Level 1
Jessie Stones
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
For 99 Street to again be a vibrant, walkable neighbourhood corridor (the neighbourhood pleads) instead of a gridlocked dustbowl that can make for pretty scary walking at night, there is absolutely a need in for street-level amenities on that corner. I'm shocked that removing the zoning for commercial is on the table (well, maybe not shocked so much as distressed). I would support this development ONLY with mandatory commercial zoning at street-level - and hope that it is developed in such a way that the commercial space is actually desirable to diverse retail operations - strip mall units with parking in front is not on brand for the community; we have enough weed stores. I also agree with other comments about ensuring there are a minimum number of family-size units (3 bdrm) and actual green landscaping, not the bare minimum of parched and dying unmaintained conifers like so many of the other 99 St buildings.
Level 1
Gordon K.
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
This sounds good to me. The buildings could be even higher, with proper setbacks. We need more density on transit arteries to reduce sprawl and support local retailers. I don't think commercial space should be required -- being forced to provide space is no guarantee it will be needed or used. If companies want to locate in the development, this should be a permitted use.
Level 1
neilr
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
I'm fine with the building going up but we definitely need to have the main floor remain zoned for commercial use. We can handle increased population density but amenities need to increase with it to maintain a balance in the neighborhood
Level 1
Tdot
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
Not good. This development is contradicting the need in the area for amenities like groceries, general retail and restaurant space. The previous building held a variety of services and was vital to the community. Do not approve of this amendment.
Level 1
Millcreek_220
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
I support the development of the space as long as there is a commercial requirement for the main floor. Mill Creek is a true 'community' in all senses of the word. Neighbours know each other here and we take care pride in our neighbourhood. Commercial spaces that bring the community together are key to keeping the appeal to the area - especially as more new development comes in. We've seen how popular our new coffee shop addition is on the corner of 99 st and 89 ave - the place is always buzzing. More commercial space will make the area much more walkable which is important as traffic on 99st steadily increases.
Level 1
KA
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
I would like to see commercial development on the main floor. Please do not remove that provision from the requirements for building on this site. Are there requirements to plant trees on the site? If not, I would like to see that added. Ideally, the construction would also take into account the changing climate and have adaptations for hotter, smokier summers, and also make a positive contribution to lowered emissions through EV charging and lower energy usage. Finally, most multi-unit dwellings do not offer large enough units for families. Could there be a requirement for a minimum number of 3 bedroom units?
Level 1
BKLee
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
The rezoning should use MU (mixed use) zone which requires mandatory commercial instead of the RM zone. I have seen developers in other neighbourhoods promise commercial on the ground floor through their renderings, but opt for the optional commercial provided in the RM zoning and end up building no commercial at the end of the day. This is a highly visible intersection for vehicle, bike, and foot traffic that should showcase the neighbourhood as a desirable hub with commercial amenities on all four corners of the intersection. A retail bay that could accommodate a small grocer, deli, or something like culina-to-go in the Oliver Exchange Building would continue the previous use of this site which included a grocery store, cafe, wine bar, and restaurant.
Level 1
MMJM
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
I urge council to maintain main floor commercial on this site. On August 27, 2019 city council declared a climate emergency, recognizing the need to reduce its carbon footprint. Mixed use residential/commercial with a focus on grocery and amenities at this site will increase density and reduce carbon emissions. We lived through the loss of the Wild Earth hub and experienced a negative impact on quality of life and increase in carbon emissions in order to access groceries/amenities elsewhere. It would be a short sighted decision to lose the opportunity to have amenities at 4 corners of this intersection. Please consider the 2023-2026 council priorities for 15 minute districts when voting on this rezoning application. This site could be the difference maker in community safety and well being, district planning, mobility, and climate action.
Level 1
Katherine Binhammer
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
Like others, I support this rezoning if the commercial is required rather than optional. We should not waste the opportunity of turning the corner into a hub of walkable amenities.
Level 1
bluehornets
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Posted on Apr 26, 2024
Given the history of this site and its location on 99 st, there absolutely needs to be commercial on the main floor. The community deserves some the amenities back that were ill-advisedly removed. The future residents of this site also deserve to be at least one storey removed from the vehicle smog and noise pollution of 99 st.
Level 1
Triceratops
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Posted on Apr 25, 2024
I'm glad the building height is reduced. I agree that there should be community-targeted retail space on the ground floor. We miss our walkable access to a grocery store. Please consider the impact of added vehicle traffic and parking, and utilities pressure, like sewer, with added people on 99th street in the building process.
Level 1
wlema
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Posted on Apr 25, 2024
I agree with many of the other comments - a development with commercial on the main floor would be a great idea. I would love to see a coffee shop or a small grocery store here with housing on top.
Level 1
bradt
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Posted on Apr 25, 2024
I fully support the proposed rezoning as long as the new development includes mixed-use. It would be great to have services like a grocery store on the ground floor. Super convenient!
Level 1
troyrhoades
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Posted on Apr 25, 2024
I am for this application but only if it is a mixed use building with commercial on the main floor. As our neighbourhood becomes more dense, we need more stores within walking distance. My other preference would have been to have this be zoned as a 2.50 RL - Large Scale Residential, so the new building could be 10-12 stories, providing more housing in the neighbourhood.
Level 1
Amk
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Posted on Apr 25, 2024
I support this - something needs to be built there! It’s been vacant too long - losing the grocery store, coffee shop,etc was a blow to the neighborhood. I think some commercial on main floor would really add to overall vibrancy and would like to see that component in the application.
Level 1
hsmoore
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Posted on Apr 25, 2024
Fully support. Let’s see something get built on this land and provide more housing in the neighborhood!
Level 1
engaged citizen
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Posted on Apr 24, 2024
I support 100% and believe this proposal is in keeping with the current residential housing in the area. Commercial leasing opportunities/services are welcome.
Level 1
SVT
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Posted on Apr 23, 2024
Happy to see this (hopefully) being developed soon!
Seeing it made non-mandatory by the rezoning, I think commercial on the main floor should be strongly encouraged, given the proximity to 99 street and the neighbouring businesses surrounding the property (diner, coffee shop, pub coming soon, etc.).
99 street has long been wanting & waiting for the same type of mixed use vibrancy that exists along other main streets like 76 ave, or even Whyte, and has the population density to support it.