Victoria council has refused to approve a number of changes to the Victoria International Marina that were done without the city’s prior consent.
Councillors decided at a committee of the whole meeting last week to reject two development permit applications for properties at 2 Paul Kane Place and 1 Cooperage Place.
The marina was seeking approval for changes related to a gas-meter enclosure and the installation of rooftop mechanical equipment among other things.
“I think this outcome is unfortunate and it does demonstrate problems that can arise when landowners act unilaterally to exercise, I guess, what they feel they can do within their rights with development approval,” Coun. Ben Isitt said.
“But I think there’s a much greater risk of over-reaching and not adhering to the city’s regulations when it’s done through a unilateral process rather than a more collaborative process with our staff and our council.
“So perhaps that’s a lesson for future applicants.”
But Craig Norris, the marina’s chief executive officer, said in an interview Monday that the marina has been working with city staff throughout and is mystified by the refusal to support the changes.
“We don’t really know why, to tell you the truth,” he said. “We’ve done all we can do. This isn’t some quick thing that was done in two weeks. It’s been six months of discussion with the city.”
One of the issues at the centre of the dispute stems from the fact that the marina was unable to fit all the rooftop mechanical equipment inside rotundas that were designed to shield the equipment from view.
As a result, the marina installed some of the equipment outside the rotundas and was seeking council’s approval to put up additional screening.
City staff, however, said the proposed screening “negatively impacts the visual symmetry and architectural harmony of the two buildings” and appears “incongruous with the elegant curving-roof forms of the buildings.”
Another point of contention centres on a gas meter and its wire-mesh enclosure near the Songhees Walkway.
The marina says there was no place else to put the enclosure, but wants to replace the wire mesh with glass panels.
City staff say the enclosure was installed without necessary approvals and might deter people from using walkways around the marina buildings.
Norris said it’s unclear how the matter will get resolved.
“It’s incredibly frustrating,” he said. “We have to sit down with them and say: ‘OK, we proposed it. This is what you told us to do. Now, you told us you don’t like what you told us to do.’
“The process is really you just propose something different and hope that they like it.”
He said all the marina can do is go back to the city and try to find a solution.
“They’ve asked questions,” he said. “We will just re-approach and answer those questions as best we can.”
