Dear editor,
The residents adjoining 2310 Guthrie Rd. in Comox strongly oppose any rezoning to the this site, and any redevelopment as a mixed commercial property.
This site should remain as residential only due to the nature of the adjoining properties 鈥� both in Comox and across McDonald Road in Courtenay.
Commercial development will definitely negatively impact property values of the surrounding homes, along with being a visual/noise/light polluter of the area.
This will most certainly affect the downtown Comox business area which is already struggling 鈥� with many vacancies in the Comox mall and along Comox Avenue. It will also have a negative effect on the current businesses along Anderton and Guthrie.
There is already a large vacant site on the southerly side of Quality Foods that is zoned for mixed commercial/residential, has had a permitted project but appears to be in financial difficulty, which was possibly the result of lack of demand for this type of development; however, this site should be encouraged to be used before any consideration is given to rezoning another site.
There is also a lack of larger sites for future residential use 鈥� either single family or multi-family.
Leaving this site as residential only will also save money as it will not require the widening of Guthrie to four lanes of traffic, as the current roadway is sufficient. It has been noted that more drivers are using Comox Avenue and Dyke Road to access other areas of the Comox Valley.
It also appears that little or no consideration has been given to the effect of such a development on the adjoining neighbourhood, and there has been no consultation with these neighbours by the developer or he would be aware that this rezoning is not acceptable to this area.
In particular, there is no consideration being given to ourselves and we will indeed be the most impacted by this rezoning 鈥� probably losing a considerable amount of the equity in our home, which as seniors could result in hardship in the future.
We would appreciate any community support in opposing this rezoning and proposed development. Please e-mail council@comox.ca to voice your opposition.
Larrie and Margaret Szafron,
Comox
