[Abbotsford] Mahogany at Mill Lake | 80m | 26 Floors | U/C

Kodii · #1 Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 4:39 AM**

Quote:

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

By Joe Millican - Abbotsford News

Published: March 11, 2009 6:00 PM

Until now, proposals to build high into the Abbotsford sky have fallen flat.

That could soon change with city council’s consideration of the Mahogany at Mill Lake project, a vision of the Abbotsford-based Quantum Properties, which came before local politicians for the first time on Monday.

A 28-storey tower at 32828 Bevan Ave. would stretch 80 metres (262 feet) into the air and be almost double the height of the tallest Abbotsford buildings, which peak at 16 storeys.

Other projects on this scale have been considered before. Perhaps the highest-profile was the BRIO condominiums, near the intersection of Marshall Road and McCallum Road. That building was also planned to scale 28 storeys. Despite being approved by council in 2007, however, BRIO’s owners decided not to proceed.

Diane Delves, Quantum’s president and CEO, is confident that her tower would succeed. - {That's what BRIO said too...}

“When I got the opportunity to purchase the property . . . I envisaged something out of the ordinary,” she said. “We have spent a lot of time looking at other properties, and I believe there is a demand for such a unique, quality building in such a fabulous location.”

Despite the stumbling economy, Delves sees the appeal in being the first developer to build a housing development on such a scale in Abbotsford, adding that the company’s market research has shown there is adequate demand.

Once complete, the Mahogany tower would include 201 housing units, with townhouses on the ground floor. A four-storey building with 83 units is also part of the plan.

The next step for Mahogany is a public hearing in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, most likely to be held on April 20. It would then need the majority support of council.

Abbotsford is a city which has grappled with the concept of building upwards instead of outwards since signing its new Official Community Plan – a 20-year planning vision for the city – in 2005. That document called for higher-density housing in the city centre to reduce the need to spread development into the Agricultural Land Reserve to the west, or Sumas Mountain to the east.

According to Gladwin Road resident Alan Ferguson, strong opposition to the Mahogany plan is likely.

The proponents have already met four times with local residents, he said, with numerous homeowners on Boult Avenue, Bevan Way, Gladwin Road and Bevan Avenue complaining the tower would cast long shadows over their yards and homes.

Ferguson now hopes to arrange another meeting for residents, to formulate a plan to oppose the development once it returns to the council table.

He said there are many concerns that the tower development is being proposed for “an older, established, single family neighbourhood.”

Other areas of concern involve more traffic and congestion.

Residents have already put together a petition containing close to 90 signatures, which will be considered by council. - {FREAKING NIMBYS. There's NOTHING in Abbotsford, and they're already shooting off their mouths}

City councillors were advised by Abbotsford Mayor George Peary, at council’s executive meeting on Monday, not to speak about Mahogany until after the public hearing.

However, there was some indication that the development will be considered carefully by local politicians, with Coun. Lynne Harris describing the project as “new territory,” and Coun. Simon Gibson stating that he has doubts about the height of the tower and has some “serious issues” with the development itself.

As for Delves, she recognizes that local residents would be impacted by such a massive change in surroundings.

“Unfortunately, the reality is that when there’s a new development in your neighbourhood, your life is not going to be the same again – whether it’s high-rise or low-rise,” she said.

“There’s a shadowing impact, there’s no doubt about that. We do not go into a project looking to disrupt our neighbours but unfortunately that’s going to happen. If you are going to live in the centre of a city, your environment is going to change at some point.”

Source: The Abbotsford News -- http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_va.../41121384.html

Source: Quantum Properties Inc. -- http://www.mahoganycondos.com/rendering1.htm

excel · #2 Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 5:24 AM**

cool thanks for info!

Sonicwolf · #3 Posted **Mar 17, 2009, 5:31 AM**

One thing I have learned about living in Abbotsford for my entire life is that everyone seems to have nothing better to do than vote in geriatrics into office of the mayor and complain violently about anything that could be considered progress. This wont be built because almost everyone here thinks progress is bad. Thats why the Brio building is now the Brio Pit and the west oaks mall has sucked terribly since 2001.

Kodii · #4 Posted **Mar 17, 2009, 5:59 AM**

Not that Sevenoaks is much better. At least we're getting a Best Buy?

Is it wishful thinking to hope that some day we'll have a politician who has considerable vision for our city?

DKaz · #5 Posted **Mar 17, 2009, 5:23 PM**

If pricing is more or less reasonable (yes build some million dollar penthouses but a 1 bedroom should not go for more than $180k...) I could see it succeeding. There's hardly any market for luxury condos here, if people can afford to they would rather live in a big house on Sumas Mountain or something. There are a few high rises in Abby but none of them are stunning by any means, they're just a place to live for the average young person/couple/seniors/family/etc.

Kodii · #6 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 1:53 AM**

Quote:

Neighbours oppose so-called giant sun dial

By Joe Millican - Abbotsford News

Published: April 22, 2009 4:00 PM
Updated: April 22, 2009 4:38 PM

The pros and cons of a tower block that would stretch 80 metres into Abbotsford’s skyline and become the city’s highest building will receive a public airing next week.

The Mahogany at Mill Lake project, a 28-storey tower proposed for 32828 Bevan Ave., is scheduled to go to a public hearing on Monday night in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.

Since signing its new Official Community Plan in 2005, the City of Abbotsford has expressed a desire to increase its residential and commercial density to avoid spreading into the Agricultural Land Reserve to the west or Sumas Mountain to the east.

That basically means building up instead of out.

Despite these goals, however, Bert Schendel says the project’s proponents can expect a verbal volley from local residents on Monday.

The Surrey resident, whose mother lives in the immediate vicinity of the proposed structure, has been busy mobilizing locals and now claims there is 96 per cent opposition from 350 homeowners who live within a 500-metre radius of the site.

Describing the tower as a “giant sun dial,” Schendel said his mother, and others, will suffer severe shadowing from the building and will have to endure “an involuntary eclipse” daily.

Schendel is now expecting homeowners to turn out “in force” to the public hearing.

“Everybody seems to be hyped up about it,” Schendel told The News, adding that the prospect of traffic congestion in the area is also alarming some homeowners.

Mahogany at Mill Lake has been proposed by the Abbotsford-based Quantum Properties. If approved, it will see the creation of 201 housing units, with townhouses on the ground floor. A four-storey building with 83 units is also part of the plan.

The Mahogany project has already received the backing of city hall staff, who say it fits inside a city principle to support higher density developments and will therefore make an efficient use of land.

Source: The Abbotsford News -- http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_va.../43489967.html

SpongeG · #7 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 2:43 AM**

lol

NetMapel · #8 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 3:01 AM**

NIMBY BE GONE... arggghhh...

Cypherus · #9 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 11:13 PM**

It doesn't get more NIMBY than that.

hollywoodnorth · #10 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 11:30 PM**

what a NIMBY Momma's Boy!

DKaz · #11 Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 11:48 PM**

That's Abbotsford for you.

SFUVancouver · #12 Posted **Apr 24, 2009, 3:57 AM**

The very analogy of a sundial is bizarre since, by definition, the shadow cast by a sundial sweeps across a surface instead of lingering on it, as would the shadow cast by a wall.

Involuntary eclipse! = where did the mountains go?

Vancity · #13 Posted **Apr 24, 2009, 6:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKaz

That's Abbotsford for you.

Sigh....

Vancity · #14 Posted **Apr 24, 2009, 6:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodii

Not that Sevenoaks is much better. At least we're getting a Best Buy?

Is it wishful thinking to hope that some day we'll have a politician who has considerable vision for our city?

we haven't had one of those for Vancouver for a long time! come to think of it...not even for Richmond, either...

Sonicwolf · #15 Posted **Apr 25, 2009, 5:37 AM**

There has not been a highrise built in Abbotsford since the mid 1990s. Pitiful. Im embarassed to live in Abbotsford. Everyone is a bunch of NIMBY crybabies. If it was somebody else these people would not give a crap.

Kodii · #16 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 7:00 AM**

This is RIDICULOUS. I am so embarrassed to be from Abbotsford.

These "Sun people" probably don't even notice when the sun is shining on their houses. Jeez, they make me SO MAD. Does anyone want to suggest an effective method to tell them to STUFF IT?

Quote:

Sun people protest

“The Sun People say no to the tower.”

Badges adorned with those words were worn by many opponents of what would be Abbotsford’s highest building Monday night, as resident after resident slammed the Mahogany at Mill Lake tower proposal.

Approximately 90 people attended the public hearing in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium to debate the pros and cons of the 28-storey tower proposed for 32828 Bevan Ave.

The vast majority cast it in a negative light.

More than 25 speakers told council they do not support the 80-metre structure, while only a handful gave it their backing. Those who did not speak made their feelings known in the form of thunderous applause, whenever an opponent had finished addressing council.

Many residents said they feared their homes would be in shadow if the building is approved, while believing the sun would be blocked from their properties.

Bert Schendel, a Surrey resident whose mother lives just beside the site, had been mobilizing residents to attend the meeting.

He told council that many people living around Boult Avenue, Gladwin Road and Bevan Avenue are concerned about the shadowing effect on their homes.

“We demand our maximum allotment of sunshine whenever the sun is in the sky,” he said. “We believe this to be our natural right.”

Numerous speakers said they were not against development, but did not support a large-scale building in an older and more established neighbourhood.

Concerns were also raised about the potential for shadows that could be cast over Mill Lake Park, especially in the winter.

Bellvue Crescent resident Roger Smith said council’s decision could see them approve a new landmark in Abbotsford. He did not see that as a positive.

“There’s been a lot of good things done in this city, but there have been a lot of bonehead things that have been done as well,” he said. “If it were to go through, it’s going to leave a legacy. It’s going to leave a legacy on this council and this mayor, and it won’t be good.”

Since signing its new Official Community Plan in 2005, the City of Abbotsford has expressed a desire to increase its residential and commercial density to avoid spreading into the Agricultural Land Reserve to the west or Sumas Mountain to the east.

A small number of people at the meeting said it was time to proceed with tall buildings, and so supported the Mahogany on Mill Lake project which has been proposed by the Abbotsford-based Quantum Properties.

Supporters were in the distinct minority.

Council is expected to vote on the Mahogany at Mill Lake project on May 11.

Source: The Abbotsford News -- http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_va...omment-8854182

PROSTSHOCKER · #17 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 7:30 AM**

Man, those Abbotsford types sure love their sprawl and sun (assuming they savour it in the early morning and dusk).

mr.x · #18 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 8:08 AM**

“We demand our maximum allotment of sunshine whenever the sun is in the sky,” he said. “We believe this to be our natural right.”

Kodii · #19 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 11:36 PM**

I was so infuriated that I sent letters to the Abbotsford News, Quantum Properties and the Abbotsford Council to protest the protesters.

I absolutely HATE the argument that the tower will block out the sun.

The next thing you know, this Bert Schendel character will be protesting CLOUDS because they prevent the "maximum allotment of sunshine whenever the sun is in the sky".

DKaz · #20 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 11:55 PM**

Now that I've investigated where this tower is actually going, I'm backing up a bit. Most of the towers in Abbotsford so far are located close to South Fraser Way. I originally thought this tower was going up at the corner of Bourquin and South Fraser Way which would make total sense. Build momentum by densifying a strip of the city that's already dense and gain momentum. 32828 Bevan Ave. is a bit out of the way from that strip. Building on say along Gladwin Road at the southeast parking lot of Sevenoaks Mall would make more sense, the top floor residents will still get a nice view of Mill Lake, Mount Baker, etc.

On the other hand... there is already a forested part of Cenntenial Park with tall 10 storey+ high trees. Properties due north may lose a bit of sun midday but hey, their houses will be a lot cooler! Properties due east, it's not like they get much of a sunset anyway with the forest in the way. Properties due west and southwest, they'll lose their sunrise but nothing else. Properties due south, they're losing NOTHING and it's a bunch of 4 storey condos anyway already. In the summertime, the sun is usually straight up so no one willbe losing much. Winter time, it usually rains anyway so hm.

Okay after considerring... I do hope this project goes ahead. It's a very nice area, close to the park, 10 minute walk to Sevenoaks Mall, Bourquin Exchange, 5 minute walk to the hospital,