http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100 Councillor Rob Lantz - Charlottetown | Ward 3 (Brighton) Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:14:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100/comment-page-1#comment-99248 ward3brighton.ca » Proposed New Office Building Now 8-Stories Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:32:05 +0000 http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100#comment-99248 [...] proposed new 7-story building on Fitzroy was discussed at Planning Board last month and the board voted to reject the application. The [...] [...] proposed new 7-story building on Fitzroy was discussed at Planning Board last month and the board voted to reject the application. The [...]

]]> http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100/comment-page-1#comment-89630 Councillor Rob Lantz Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:34:52 +0000 http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100#comment-89630 I received the Planning staff report on this variance request. Planning Board is meeting on Tuesday, February 19th to discuss and make a recommendation to council. To date, of the 32 notifications that went out soliciting comments, only two (2) responses have been received. The board, quite rightly I think, interprets non-responses as "we don't care". If you received a notice please consider sending your thoughts on this. You can <a href="http://www.city.charlottetown.pe.ca/help/contact_directory.cfm#Planning" rel="nofollow">email them to Planning staff</a>. I received the Planning staff report on this variance request. Planning Board is meeting on Tuesday, February 19th to discuss and make a recommendation to council. To date, of the 32 notifications that went out soliciting comments, only two (2) responses have been received. The board, quite rightly I think, interprets non-responses as “we don’t care”. If you received a notice please consider sending your thoughts on this. You can email them to Planning staff.

]]> http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100/comment-page-1#comment-89509 Ann Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:33:46 +0000 http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100#comment-89509 Let me hlp you lead the charge on that one! It is outrageous! Good for you for taking it on. Let me hlp you lead the charge on that one!
It is outrageous! Good for you for taking it on.

]]> http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100/comment-page-1#comment-89507 Councillor Rob Lantz Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:49:17 +0000 http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100#comment-89507 You're right. In 2004, <a href="http://ruk.ca/images/94fitzroy.png" rel="nofollow">this concept drawing</a> for condos on the same property was circulated to the same nearby property owners. Presumably the developers have done their research and decided there is a better business case for office space over residential. This is not the first proposal for office space on this property since the residential project was in discussion in 2004, although the last one did not get this far along. We often hear that the empty office space we have is not the right <em>kind</em> of office space that is now in demand. I believe a substantial portion of the currently vacant office space in downtown has less to do with the market for office space, than with the owners making a conscious decision to stay out of the market. This is exacerbated by the tax "incentive" to keep commercial property vacant (reversion to residential tax rate after being vacant five years). I confirmed again last night with the chair of finance that we intend to remove that incentive. You’re right. In 2004, this concept drawing for condos on the same property was circulated to the same nearby property owners.
Presumably the developers have done their research and decided there is a better business case for office space over residential. This is not the first proposal for office space on this property since the residential project was in discussion in 2004, although the last one did not get this far along. We often hear that the empty office space we have is not the right kind of office space that is now in demand.
I believe a substantial portion of the currently vacant office space in downtown has less to do with the market for office space, than with the owners making a conscious decision to stay out of the market. This is exacerbated by the tax “incentive” to keep commercial property vacant (reversion to residential tax rate after being vacant five years). I confirmed again last night with the chair of finance that we intend to remove that incentive.

]]> http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100/comment-page-1#comment-89506 Ann Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:28:08 +0000 http://ward3brighton.ca/blog/2008/02/08/100#comment-89506 For some dumb reason, I kept seeing the word "office" but reading the word "residential". Was there not a proposal at one point to build apartments on that spot? And what's the business case for more office buildings? Seems like we have a lot of them either empty or in the works. For some dumb reason, I kept seeing the word “office” but reading the word “residential”. Was there not a proposal at one point to build apartments on that spot?
And what’s the business case for more office buildings? Seems like we have a lot of them either empty or in the works.

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