Lawson Landing revisions

[CRCP]

To us at CRCP the revised Lawson Landing has done nothing to address the major criticism raised by the Advisory Planning Commission and the public of the project namely the number and massing of the highrises, the height of the buildings, and the sale of Kerry Park to the developer. We view the remaining changes as window dressing that has been added to seduce the public and that the "public space" that has been created already belongs to the public as it is our lake that is being altered by adding tons of fill which threaten the sensitive ecology of the lake as Kokanee spawning grounds.

[John Zeger]

I wish to respond to Tony D'Andrea's letter of Dec. 8 published in the Daily Courier. Representing a group which is little more than a local mouthpiece for Edmonton developer Phil Milroy, Mr. D'Andrea states that Milroy's reworking of the Lawson Landing project has addressed the public's concerns without ever explaining how these concerns have been mitigated. Just as Milroy is attempting to do, D'Andrea tries to draw attention away from the fundamental issues of the number of highrises in the project, their height and massing, and the proposed sale by the City of Kerry Park with the ruse that this project will create more public space and improve access to the waterfront.

Seemingly oblivious to the criticisms of the public and the Advisory Planning Commission, Milroy has come back with the same number of towers (four), the same heights (between 16 and 28 storeys), and occupying the same locations with the proposed hotel being where Kerry Park presently is. The form of the existing public space will be changed by dumping tons of fill into the lake with unknown environmental consequences and the amount of green space will be reduced. Our grassed and shaded Kerry Park which features Parks Alive concerts will be gone in all but the name which the developer plans to use for an untreed and largely ornamental green area around the Sails. The existing bandshell in the center of the park will be replaced by a performance platform out on the lake and listeners will have to seat themselves on the beach or stand on the boardwalk across the water.

Public access to the waterfront will be significantly reduced as there will be new large buildings where there presently is open space. Queensway west of Water Street will be half its present width and as much as 90% of surface parking in the area will be removed to make room for the highrises. With underground parking in the project being fully taken by residents, hotel guests, and shoppers just where will Kelownans who want to visit the waterfront park? Furthermore, a psychological barrier to the waterfront will be erected by the close positioning of the towers which will obscure the present visual expanse of the lake and mountains. Instead of being welcoming to the general public, the waterfront will become the private enclave of the more than 1500 residents and guests of the complex.

No, Phil Milroy has not addressed the public's concerns over the project but is merely trying to distract us from the fundamental issues of height and density and the loss of real park space and public access to the waterfront. This is all becoming like a man who is trying to sell you a pig for your parlour. When you tell him that you don't want a pig in your parlour, he then tries to seduce you by putting some artificial pearls around its neck.

John Zeger
Citizens for Responsible
Community Planning

[John Zeger]

A few comments on Mark Johnson's letter to the Daily Courier of Dec. 15, 2004. Mr. Johnson, a supporter of Lawson Landing who claims to have a "basic knowledge of urban geography," simply does not know the facts. He says that "more residents in the city core will lead to less street crime and [reduced traffic congestion]." The facts are that more residents downtown will simply displace the existing crime problem to other neighbourhoods. RCMP Superintendent Bill MacKinnon has said so. Will those from surrouding neighbourhoods who want the crime in their area please come forward? The solution to the downtown crime problem in increased enforcement powers and more personnel for the RCMP. These are on their way. And Lawson Landing will only add to traffic congestion in the downtown as almost 900 additional cars from project residents will be added to the road network and all of them exiting at the base of Bernard Ave. which has the makings of a real traffic mess! Johnson goes on to say that Lawson Landing will draw more tourists to Kelowna as "tourists do not come here for the small town charm." That fact is that according to a CRCP survey conducted over the Labour Day weekend, 70% of tourists surveyed said they would be less likely to visit Kelowna if the Lawson Landing project were built. The said that they come here for the lake and the mountains and to get away from the highrises in cities where they live. Some were even aghast that our city council could even be considering such idea. We were asked "Why would you people want to do this to your city?" I would advise Mr. Johnson to bone up on his urban geography before writing anymore letters on the subject.

[John Zeger]

The Daily Courier reported on Dec. 15, 2004 that while on a fact-finding tour of the lower mainland to gather information on 50 metre pools, a group from city council consisting of Mayor Walter Gray and Councillors Barrie Clark, Colin Day, and Robert Hobson checked out the high rise towers of the high-density waterfront in Vancouver as they are similar to those of the proposed Lawson Landing. This should come as no surprise because CRCP has maintained that our city council is using Vancouver as a model for the future growth of Kelowna and is attempting to create "Vancouver-on-the Lake" right here. As further evidence of this when asked on a radio talk show some time ago how big he forsaw Kelowna getting, Mayor Gray responded by saying "much bigger." It is now up to the residents of Kelowna to decide if this is the city that they want Kelowna to become and if they want another three years of Walter Gray.

[CRCP]

The Daily Courier reported on March 31 that Lawson Landing developer Phil Milroy plans to revise the original Pandosy Landing mega-project for the second time. The first revision was an attempt to distract the public from the objectionable features of the mega-project through the ruse that it was creating more public space. This second revision, according to the Courier, will be an attempt to side-step the Simpson Covenant. CRCP reaffirms its oppositon to the Lawson Landing project even if it does manage to avoid lands governed by the Simpson Covenant as it will significantly alter the character of the waterfront and the downtown, will bespoil the aesthetics of our beautiful city, and will increase traffic congestion. The only acceptable revision to the Lawson Landing project to the CRCP will be the redevelopment of the Willow Inn site itself to a building with a maximum height of six storeys conforming to the Downtown Plan.

[bo916]

"which threaten the sensitive ecology of the lake as Kokanee spawning grounds"

that's funny, i was under the impression that Kokanee spawned up stream, such as mission creek, not by the shore where hundreds of boats are docked


I'm sorry if i'm ruining one of your arguments, but please don't use false beliefs as facts.

the kokanee do not spawn anywhere near kerry park, nor do any other animals live there other than minnows, ducks and coots, all which will be happy regardless of what projects take place.

also please realise that any damage done to the lake by adding on land area, would be no different than any damage the lake may suffer by having a bridge or two built through it

[John Zeger]

For your information as well as all the other bright lights at the movekelownaforward site, Kokanee are both stream and lake spawners.

[bo916]

when was the last time you saw a fish other than a minnow or a bottom feeder near kerry park?

[John Zeger]

When I go to Kerry Park I'm not looking for fish but rather enjoying the green space and the beautiful view of the lake and mountains, all of which will be destroyed by Lawson Landing.

[bo916]

there will be a new place to stand where you can enjoy green space.

the lake and the mountains will still be there, and will still be visible.

and just how often have you sat down in Kerry park and enjoyed the scenery?

i havn't been there in years because of the drug dealers and prostitutes that live in that park

[John Zeger]

I have viewed the preliminary plans for the locations of the proposed five highrises which will comprise Lawson Landing. What was previously offensive is now just awful with five towers crammed into an area that is smaller than the area for the original four towers. The smaller area for the latest in what is becoming a long list of revisions is to avoid building on some of the land that is governed by the Simpson Covenant. One of the criticisms of the Advisory Planning Commission was that the massing of the project was too great. Well, the massing has now become even greater. Also the towers in the new proposal will have taller heights to generate even more profits for the developer. Previously, the highest tower was 26 storeys but now we will have four structures in excess of 20 storeys with one at 22, 25, 33, and 36 storeys. This will block residents' view of the mountains and lake from even greater distances from the downtown. Along with the changes to the project being made, perhaps the developer will also change the name again which was initially called Pandosy Landing and now bears the name Lawson Landing to Awful Landing to reflect its impact on the city.

[bo916]

the desing was great at first, but because of your group, and that stupid simpson covenant, they keep having to change.

now you think it's worse than it was at the beginning?

well maybe you shouldn't have complained.

it seems that each time you have complained about something about the project, they have changed it to try to cater to that.

now you say it's too high?

well it has to be high if it can't be as wide.

you can't stop growth Mr. Zeger. as long as there are people who want to live in kelowna, we will continue to to grow

[John Zeger]

... until the quality of life in this city is so low that people will just stop coming. Is that the Kelowna that you want?

[bo916]

Mr Zeger, this project would not decrease the quality of life here.

i don't know what it will take to prove that to you, other than the buildings being constructed. if you think people will move away because they don't like the towers, i can assure you that twice the number would move in because of the desire to live here.

if people were really coming to kelowna because of the mountains, and village feel, and lack of highrises, then i don''t know why they aren't going to Merrit.

[Rick Shea]

I note Matt Phillips' letter to the editor at Castanet.net today. I have sent the following response. I wonder if they will actually print it???

To the editor:

In response to Matt Phillips' assertion that developers will be granting us all sorts of wonderful gifts with the Lawson Landing development, I guess I have to ask him to define "us." Lawson Landing is specifically designed as a high rise complex for the wealthy, and according to Mr. Phillips, is intended to drive the "undesirables" out of the downtown core. As such, it is just another cash grab by developers at the expense of the ordinary taxpayer in Kelowna, and another attempt to simply relocate certain elements of our society rather than truly deal with the problems. For a rational discussion regarding why highrises do not accomplish the goals of smart growth, have a look at the Citizens for Responsible Community Planning forum, at saveparadise.proboards26.com/index.cgi

Not only will you find excellent references and links at that forum, it will be abundantly clear that Mr. Phillips and company refuse to address any of the real issues surrounding development in general, and Lawson Landing in particular.

Most sincerely,

Rick Shea