Plans for Molson Brewery site get mixed reaction

Coutresy: ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd.

Residents living in Oliver shared their opinions on plans for the old Molson Brewery site at a public hearing Monday.

The developer Sun Life is proposing a mix of retail and residential buildings be erected spanning three blocks at 104 Avenue and 121 Street.

The designs by ISL Engineering and Land Services show a dozen buildings across the land designated for shops. There are also some high rise residential buildings.

Representatives from the Oliver Community league say they don’t like how much parking the designs involve and that they would like to see a denser, more pedestrian friendly design.

“Overall we’re in favour of a development and we can see the potential and we want to work to that potential. But we can’t support the development as proposed,” said Chris vander Hoek with the community league.

He also stated residents are worried about how the development will incorporate what remains of the Molson building.

“We’re fairly concerned that the original buildings are not being respected and what the proposal is - is to essentially demolish most of the building and keep a thin veneer of the brick on the exterior to the west and the north side,” said vander Hoek.

The 50-year-old structure was dismantled in 2010 and was moved elsewhere though its new location has never been publicly announced.

With files from Susan Amerongen