Hundreds of residents who bought luxury condominiums in Coal Harbour are fuming over the proposed relocation of downtown float plane operations almost right below their windows.

They are threatening lawsuits to block the westward move by West Coast Air, Baxter Air and Harbour Air from their location beside the site slated for the convention centre expansion beginning this fall.

The three companies collectively transport 300,000 passengers annually between the harbour and Vancouver Island. During peak hours, aircraft could be taking off or landing every five to 10 minutes.

In July, dozens of irate residents of buildings near West Cordova and Bute streets — where the float planes are to be based — banded together to voice their grievances.

“Virtually all participants were vehemently opposed to this proposal, and the overwhelming majority vowed to block this in every way they can, including picketing and lawsuits,” said Roy Rauser, chairman of the new Committee for Noise Reduction.

“It was generally felt that the city must not let this go forward.”

In a recent letter to city planning director Larry Beasley, Rauser wrote: “Our position is that the city has given approval to allow highrise residential development along Coal Harbour. It extracts a great deal of tax revenue from these developments and as a result, it has a duty and responsibility to ensure that these residents have quiet enjoyment of their living space.”

Rauser said in an interview Tuesday that condo owners have concerns over noise, pollution and potential danger posed by the planes’ fuel tanks.

“We didn’t buy in this area to have an airport in front of us.”

The new dock would be situated directly in front of a luxury tower under construction, called One Harbour Green, where the penthouse unit has sold for $6.02 million, the highest price ever for a B.C. condo.

Another condo owner, retired architect Allan Waisman, said he fears the new location will be too close to a prime residential area, as well as parks where children play, the seawall and marinas.

“It’s a place for an accident waiting to happen,” Waisman said. “They [float plane operators] are pushing their luck beyond belief.”

The condo owners want the float planes to move to the east side of Canada Place, to a commercial site near the SeaBus terminal and Helijet facility.

The city is sponsoring a public meeting tonight at 7 p.m., at the Coal Harbour Community Centre to discuss the issue.

© The Vancouver Sun 2004