I was disappointed to read the recent article in Pique regarding the zoning amendment for the proposed Prospect Apartments (Pique, April 19, “Pemberton adopts zoning amendment…”). It seems to me every downtown development proposal that passes across the Village of Pemberton’s desk these days includes a parking variance, and despite the public’s repeated, voiced concern, they are all approved.
In this particular case, it is my understanding the zoning amendment not only included a parking variance, but also a height variance, adding a fourth storey to the building. I’m not an expert, but it would seem to me that adding an additional storey with more residential units, without adding any additional square footage on the ground, very quickly adds up to a parking shortage. Both the parking variance and height variance were required because under the current zoning bylaws, which are meant to be the guidepost for development within a town, the proposed project would not have been approved.
The rationale for the parking variance, that “the project’s proximity to downtown, with most daily amenities within close walking distance of the complex,” does not hold much weight with me. What about commuting to work, or getting down to Vancouver for a doctor’s appointment, or to the airport? Take public transit, you say? Ha! Easier said than done. Right now there is no direct, reliable link between Pemberton and Vancouver—and no plans to establish a route anytime soon, as far as I know.
I understand the desire to move to a more “eco-friendly future … that’s a little less car dependent.” I’m not against that, in principle. However, I think a balance needs to be struck between meeting the residents of Pemberton where they are and striving toward a car-free community.
The fact the mayor himself acknowledged that, “this [project] will put some pressures on parking” doesn’t instil confidence in council’s decision-making. And so my question to him (and council) is: what are you going to do about it?
Perhaps including the required amount of off-street parking according to the bylaws to start with, with the ability to turn some of those parking spaces into bike storage or more green space down the line might be a valid solution—instead of adding more vehicles to the already overcrowded streets of downtown Pemberton.
