The Official PEI Project Thread

[Yoox_II]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Typically cities have to spread out before they spread up, and will only start to increase height in the core once the furthest reaches of sprawl outwards become untenable via commute (IE there's more demand for being in the core than for wanting to commute 20-30-40 mins). Charlottetown still has room to grow outwards, either northward or through Cornwall/Stratford, so until those outward limits are met there likely won't be much added height in the core. If it becomes more and more difficult to enter downtown Charlottetown due to traffic then it'll become more feasible to construct higher density buildings in the core, similar to how peninsular Halifax operates currently.

I've no idea on height restrictions but those would also play a role if they exist.

Very interesting, thanks for your response. I know that driving in from Cornwall and Stratford takes longer and longer as the months pass as there are so many residential units going up. Now, that's also the case with st Peter's highway area, so hopefully this leads to some vertical development in the near future. At night, between the new upei structure and the recently constructed hotel by Nissan, it almost looks like it could be a large city.
I also know that there is quite a movement "against" constructing modern structures and tall structures, specifically in the downtown area. This seems problematic to me because, it has already prevented some really innovative designs from moving ahead, for example the haviland condo pictured. One of the comments says something like "this new structure would tower over the other buildings, including the armory, and it would be the first thing cruise ship passengers would see when entering the harbour" . My question is... what exactly is wrong with that? People no longer visit Charlottetown to "step back in time" like they used to. People come here to appreciate the historic structures and heritage sites, but also expect to have 5 star accommodation options in a modern hotel with a view of a skyline.
I think it can be agreed upon that conserving the city's history is important, but I feel it's even more important to accept change and move toward more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing structures. As I said before, Halifax has achieved this by preserving old structures while building new structures right beside. It creates a desirable blend of architecture.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Yoox_II

Very interesting, thanks for your response. I know that driving in from Cornwall and Stratford takes longer and longer as the months pass as there are so many residential units going up. Now, that's also the case with st Peter's highway area, so hopefully this leads to some vertical development in the near future.

You either end up with one of two results, or a mix of both, with increased traffic loads like this:

• Infrastructure is expanded to allow for that increased traffic. Wider roads, wider bridges, more roads, more bridges;
• Taller buildings in the core to avoid having to sit in that traffic altogether.

Originally Posted by Yoox_II

I also know that there is quite a movement "against" constructing modern structures and tall structures, specifically in the downtown area. This seems problematic to me because, it has already prevented some really innovative designs from moving ahead, for example the haviland condo pictured. One of the comments says something like "this new structure would tower over the other buildings, including the armory, and it would be the first thing cruise ship passengers would see when entering the harbour" . My question is... what exactly is wrong with that? People no longer visit Charlottetown to "step back in time" like they used to. People come here to appreciate the historic structures and heritage sites, but also expect to have 5 star accommodation options in a modern hotel with a view of a skyline.
I think it can be agreed upon that conserving the city's history is important, but I feel it's even more important to accept change and move toward more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing structures. As I said before, Halifax has achieved this by preserving old structures while building new structures right beside. It creates a desirable blend of architecture.

This sort of NIMBYism exists in every town to some degree. I was in Charlottetown this past weekend and was really impressed with the downtown streetscape and the push towards urbanism, including things like Victoria Row which prioritizes pedestrians over cars. It felt like a really active place to be with good bones to densify and grow further. The downtown core seemed pretty built out, and it'd be a mistake to replace heritage buildings with something new, but there's always potential for new builds on otherwise underutilized lots.

If development isn't concentrated in the core then either Charlottetown's growth is stifled or it will simply move elsewhere. Areas are always willing to take in development and property tax increases, so if those increased buildings can't exist in the downtown then they'll simply exist elsewhere. The important thing is to prioritize urban features wherever they're built (walkable streets, pedestrian prioritization, active and urban transport options, etc.) Otherwise you'll be left with greenfield 12s apartment buildings in areas that require cars, thereby increasing traffic.

[Yoox_II]

Originally Posted by JHikka

You either end up with one of two results, or a mix of both, with increased traffic loads like this:

• Infrastructure is expanded to allow for that increased traffic. Wider roads, wider bridges, more roads, more bridges;
• Taller buildings in the core to avoid having to sit in that traffic altogether.

This sort of NIMBYism exists in every town to some degree. I was in Charlottetown this past weekend and was really impressed with the downtown streetscape and the push towards urbanism, including things like Victoria Row which prioritizes pedestrians over cars. It felt like a really active place to be with good bones to densify and grow further. The downtown core seemed pretty built out, and it'd be a mistake to replace heritage buildings with something new, but there's always potential for new builds on otherwise underutilized lots.

If development isn't concentrated in the core then either Charlottetown's growth is stifled or it will simply move elsewhere. Areas are always willing to take in development and property tax increases, so if those increased buildings can't exist in the downtown then they'll simply exist elsewhere. The important thing is to prioritize urban features wherever they're built (walkable streets, pedestrian prioritization, active and urban transport options, etc.) Otherwise you'll be left with greenfield 12s apartment buildings in areas that require cars, thereby increasing traffic.

The unfortunate part of charlottetown's downtown is that it is located on a sort of peninsula, which makes the transportation side of things challenging because there is no real way to improve downtown traffic, except for maybe introducing more one-way (this will likely never happen, but for example, have north River road a one way south bound road, and have queen street a one way north bound). Right now, between the hours of 7:30 and 18:00, going to or from the downtown area takes much longer than it should because of the single lane roads. And there isn't a lot of room for widening to allow for more lanes unfortunately.

[Siriusb]

203 Fitzroy St - Nine Yards Proposal

A new proposal for a vacant lot on Fitzroy St. My beef about this is, here we go again with the 4 floor 500 lot
stupidity. A few floors, maybe four more, would certainly add to the density in the downtown. There is lots of room on this one!
This is coming up on the next City Planning Board meeting on Aug 23rd.

[TGK]

Originally Posted by Siriusb

203 Fitzroy St - Nine Yards Proposal

A new proposal for a vacant lot on Fitzroy St. My beef about this is, here we go again with the 4 floor 500 lot
stupidity. A few floors, maybe four more, would certainly add to the density in the downtown. There is lots of room on this one!
This is coming up on the next City Planning Board meeting on Aug 23rd.

Such a waste of prime land. You’re right, this should be 8-10 floors.

[josh_cat_eyes]

The crazy thing is the NIMBYers are probably going to think this project is too big too.

[Yoox_II]

Originally Posted by Siriusb

203 Fitzroy St - Nine Yards Proposal

A new proposal for a vacant lot on Fitzroy St. My beef about this is, here we go again with the 4 floor 500 lot
stupidity. A few floors, maybe four more, would certainly add to the density in the downtown. There is lots of room on this one!
This is coming up on the next City Planning Board meeting on Aug 23rd.

Agreed. Every time a vacant lot is built on with a low density building like this, it's one less opportunity for downtown to come into the 21st century. There aren't a lot of vacant lots left, and tearing down old buildings to make new ones requires a lot of hoops to be jumped through. Downtown needs a reality check before it's too late.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by TGK

Such a waste of prime land. You’re right, this should be 8-10 floors.

Especially since there is a strong market for residential units!

[Siriusb]

City Issues Stop Order for Sherwood Crossing Development

CBC PEI NEWS

The city issued a stop order to APM for the Sherwood Crossing Development, a $94 million development. There
appears to be a discrepancy with the building materials and foundation and the whole thing may have to go back to the drawing board.
So it appears this development may be held up for awhile and may have to go back to even so far as public consultation which will really stall it or crush it.

What a ridiculous city we live in as people are screaming for places to live!!!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-ed...rossing-housing-project-halted-1.6150802

[Yoox_II]

Originally Posted by Siriusb

City Issues Stop Order for Sherwood Crossing Development

The city issued a stop order to APM for the Sherwood Crossing Development, a $94 million development. There
appears to be a discrepancy with the building materials and foundation and the whole thing may have to go back to the drawing board.
So it appears this development may be held up for awhile and may have to go back to even so far as public consultation which will really stall it or crush it.

What a ridiculous city we live in as people are screaming for places to live!!!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-ed...rossing-housing-project-halted-1.6150802

What is the usual turn around time for something like this to be resolved? Obviously its just an attempt to remind builders that they need permits before starting construction/setting an example I guess.

[Siriusb]

Charlottetown gives OK for Sherwood Crossing foundation work to proceed

CBC PEI NEWS

Developer will still need approval to change townhouses' architectural designs

Just pressure from NIMBYs to squash this particular project with their buddy Alex Forbes being swayed to stall it.

There was nothing wrong as they had the good-to-go to proceed by the city:

"They agreed that we could start construction as long as we presented them with the plans and the application fees and the application themselves for the building permits, which we did," Banks said. "And the city could easily issue us a foundation permit. It's done on 90 per cent of the projects of this scale in the city."

Having the public involved will certainly delay this if it has to be approved by those NIMBY jokers. Just what the NIMBYs want. Meanwhile people are screaming for new homes!

MORE HERE > https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-ed...od-crossing-foundation-permits-1.6154843

[Siriusb]

Originally Posted by Siriusb

203 Fitzroy St - Nine Yards Proposal

A new proposal for a vacant lot on Fitzroy St. My beef about this is, here we go again with the 4 floor 500 lot
stupidity. A few floors, maybe four more, would certainly add to the density in the downtown. There is lots of room on this one!
This is coming up on the next City Planning Board meeting on Aug 23rd.

I was by there this morning and they just dropped off a large backhoe. Looks like things may be moving forward. Too bad, as I was hoping it would be more substantial as this is probably the only empty lot of its size in the downtown.

[Siriusb]

West Royalty School Addition

The new addition to the West Royalty School continues with the completion date sometime........

"The new addition will include 10 classrooms as well as a mini-gym and breakout spaces, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021"

I doubt they'll be done at the end of 2021. We'll see!

[Siriusb]

Originally Posted by Siriusb

Charlottetown gives OK for Sherwood Crossing foundation work to proceed

- APPROVED Towers Road - Townhouse #1
Phase I: site and foundation:
New 6-unit townhouse
Pan American Properties 16-Sep-21
- APPROVED Towers Road - Townhouse #2
Phase I: site and foundation:
New 6-unit townhouse
Pan American Properties 16-Sep-21
- APPROVED Towers Road - Townhouse #3
Phase I: site and foundation:
New 6-unit townhouse
Pan American Properties 16-Sep-21

[Yoox_II]

What is being built beside the Canadian Tire? The lot has been cleared and leveled.

[billy1]

Originally Posted by Yoox_II

What is being built beside the Canadian Tire? The lot has been cleared and leveled.

It is a 32,000 sq.ft. expansion of Canadian Tire.

[Siriusb]

58 Sherwood Road

Looks like the first of two!

APPROVED

58 Sherwood Road - (Lot 18-2)
Phase I: Foundation: 35-unit apartment building
Arsenault Bros Holdings

[Siriusb]

Originally Posted by Yoox_II

What is being built beside the Canadian Tire? The lot has been cleared and leveled.

20 Babineau Avenue - Canadian Tire (PID #1054972): Variances to reduce the front yard setback from 39.4 ft to 12.0 ft and waive the requirement for three (3) additional loading spaces in order to construct an addition (approximately 32,000 sq ft) to the existing retail establishment.

[Siriusb]

APPROVED

289 Brackley Point Road (Lot 19-2; formerly 384 Sherwood Road)
Phase I: Foundation: New commercial building (package distribution center)
Moltus Canadian Inc.
17-Sep-21

Looks like they moved up the hill to Brackley Pt Rd

[billy1]

Originally Posted by Siriusb

APPROVED

289 Brackley Point Road (Lot 19-2; formerly 384 Sherwood Road)
Phase I: Foundation: New commercial building (package distribution center)
Moltus Canadian Inc.
17-Sep-21

Looks like they moved up the hill to Brackley Pt Rd

Who are "they"?