Approval of a parking variance has helped clear a hurdle for a new neighbourhood cantina proposed in Harewood.
The pub and eatery, if it clears future licensing hurdles, will be created in commercial space at 300 Howard Ave., a recently constructed mixed-use development along Third Street that includes two four-storey buildings with 181 rental suites and ground-level commercial space.
At a meeting Monday, July 24, an application came before council asking for a parking requirement variance based on the anticipated parking need. The proposal is for a student-oriented pub-eatery establishment for what is anticipated to be primarily walk-in patronage from nearby residents and a minimal need for parking stalls.
Of 188 parking spaces allocated for the development, 170 were for residential use and 18 were set aside for the two ground-level commercial spaces. The cantina proposed would have 96 seats, which according to the city bylaw would require 32 parking spaces, but the applicant is proposing providing just 13 parking stalls.
Jeremy Holm, director of development approvals, noted that the location is well-serviced by public transit and other amenities and is close to recreation facilities and Vancouver Island University’s campus. A parking requirement study was submitted with the application, which recommended 14 parking spaces for the business.
“The parking study also recommended some transportation demand management measures to support the proposed variance, including short-term additional bicycle spaces, some weather-protected bicycle spaces as well as a bicycle repair station…” Holm said. “The applicant’s also offering $10,000 toward pedestrian connectivity improvements in the area.”
Robert J. Cleland, the chef for the proposed pub, said the intent is to help create neighbourhood nodes through development. The establishment is not being created to draw patrons coming in their vehicles from across the city.
“That’s what we’re hearing, I think, even within this meeting, is building that infrastructure into these little neighbourhoods and making sure they’re very well-supported and we can kind of grow as a group,” Cleland said.
David Echaiz-McGrath of proponent WA Architects Ltd. emphasized that the cantina is intended to cater to the 180 residences in the complex and to be a “neighbourhood eatery.”
Coun. Tyler Brown said he thought the proposal held a vision that would serve both new and old development in the neighbourhood “in a really neat way,” and Coun. Ben Geselbracht said the pub is a welcome commercial activity for the neighbourhood and added that he appreciated the focus on active transportation infrastructure.
“I think the request is super reasonable and the less people driving to a pub, the better,” he said.
Coun. Sheryl Armstrong was among the council members opposed, saying the parking variance was too significant. She said other pubs have required more parking, and said there are already complaints about lack of parking in the neighbourhood.
Coun. Ian Thorpe agreed the parking variance was too great.
“We’re not a little European village and the reality is that … a lot of people are going to be driving and we continually create parking and driving problems in our city by issuing variances like this,” he said.
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Coun. Janice Perrino asked staff if they thought the proposal was a good idea, and Dale Lindsay, general manager of development services, suggested the application fits with some of the city plan’s goals.
“This is a community that’s certainly under a lot of transition … there are more people living in this corridor … I think if we’re ultimately to get to our goals of … being a more walkable, diverse community, mixed-use, it’s applications like this that will help us get there,” Lindsay said.
He said he understands the concerns and challenges around parking but said there is also a need to have services in areas of increasing population density.
The variance was approved with councillors Armstrong and Thorpe opposed.
chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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