I am a home owner in downtown Comox who cherishes the charm and pedestrian nature of our downtown area.

The current proposed six-storey building (60 ft up) at 215 Port Augusta - Comox Mall will radically disrupt this character that we hold dear.

As a professional in the development and architectural field, I strongly believe that the massing of this building will completely alter the quality of place in our downtown.

Our current OCP states:

3.1.5.2 ‘the objective with new buildings is to respect and emphasize the small town scale and waterfront character of Comox’.

3.1.5.2.5 'buildings over 1 storey should be massed to reduce the appearance of height and increase ground floor weight through terracing or tapering of building mass and roof lines'.

3.1.5.2.8 'special architectural features that are considered important in establishing character or variety may, with Council approval, exceed the zoning height limit. Any height variance should take into consideration of other buildings on the street'.

3.1.5.2.9 'a variety in height form, colour and finishes should be used to emphasize the small town scale and pedestrian orientation of Downtown Comox'

This rezoning application, as it is proposed today, clearly does not adhere to the OCP.

Recent proposed legislation by the BC Government strongly emphasizes that Official Community Plans (OCPs) are key and vital tools to ensure that proposed development aligns with a community's vision.

As public hearings will be phased out for most types of development applications in 2024, it's now even more crucial for Council to honor and follow our current OCP. Regardless of Councils' future vision for the Town.

This is responsible planning and legislated accountability.

Implementing a design feature where the building steps back at the 4th and 5th floors is crucial for maintaining a human-scale streetscape. We've already seen this successful approach in other downtown buildings like Berwick and the Balmoral.

Comox's downtown is more than just a collection of buildings; it's a vital part of our community identity. It's where we come together for events, support local businesses, and enjoy leisurely walks along tree-lined streets. The proposed 60 ft wall up on Comox Avenue will significantly change this dynamic.

While we fully support adding much-needed density to the downtown area, we believe that any new construction should respect Comox's charming character and adhere to established bylaws.

Please join me in requesting that the Mayor and Council send the proposal back for design revisions.

Stepping back the upper floors will preserve downtown Comox's pedestrian-friendly charm while supporting downtown density and our town's evolving growth.

Please sign this petition today! 

Thank you ~!~ Together, our voices can make a difference.