1445 replies to this topic

[aastra]

What was the name of that super short one over by Ogden Point? Wasn't it called the Breakwater?

[Nparker]

What was the name of that super short one over by Ogden Point? Wasn't it called the Breakwater?

The Breakwater in the Breakwater District.

[Mattjvd]

I kind of like the idea of more density at the major cross-roads and a little less in between (like the OCP has now). In my opinion though, Saanich was thinking a little too small. The density in the OCP would be great, if it was built to that scale today, but it's not future proofed at all. These builds should last more than 50 years, that density is not going to work in 2070, or 2040 for that matter. Would have been nice to see 8 to 12 stories at the McKenzie, Ceadar Hill Cross and Hillside 'villages' with 4 to 8 in between. Especially when the city is getting the developer to give land up for improving the RoW.

Edited by Mattjvd, 28 February 2020 - 01:12 PM.

[Mike K.]

The plan is stuck in 2004, that’s the problem. It’s 2020, and we’re freaking out over a couple of floors along one of the busiest corridors on Vancouver Island.

[Jackerbie]

"The Rise on 5th" (9570 and 9574 Fifth Street) in Sidney has been approved, after being sent back for revisions late last year.

• 19 condo units across four storeys (previously 16 units)
• 22 parking spaces underground (previously 16 spaces at grade with building cantilevered above)
• KPL James Architecture for Mike Geric Construction

[Nparker]

The top floor suites look like they will be quite nice.

[Mike K.]

Profile: https://victoria.cit...0-orono-avenue/

LANGFORD, BC, March 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to investments made by the Government of Canada, middle-class residents in Langford will soon have access to more rental housing options that are affordable.

Today the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced that the federal government is providing a low interest insured loan of $31.5 million to help construct Orono Place Apartments, a 5-storey residential building comprising 120 homes for hard-working middle-class Canadians located at 854 Orono Avenue in Langford.

The building is designed to achieve energy efficiency savings of 26.2% and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 21% relative to the 2015 model building codes. Located in the downtown core of the City of Langford, Orono Place Apartments will be close to all amenities such as shopping and public transit, and is a 20-minute drive to downtown Victoria.

Developed by Woodsmere Holdings Corp, the project is receiving funding through CMHC's Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program delivered by CMHC that supports rental housing construction projects to encourage a stable supply of rental housing for middle-class households struggling in expensive housing markets across the country.

Quotes

"Our Government is increasing the number of affordable rental homes available to middle-income Langford families that are close to public transit and schools. With one-bedroom suites starting at $1260 per month, and two-bedroom apartments at $1554, all 120 homes at Orono Place Apartments will be offered at rents that are at least 10% below market. Since 2018 over $539 million has been earmarked to support housing initiatives and projects in BC that will create up to 10,600 units across the province." – The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality

"Woodsmere Holdings Corp. is very pleased to be working with CMHC to bring a new affordable rental project to this community. With 120 new suites, from bachelor to two-bedroom, Orono Place Apartments will help reduce the critical shortage of affordable rental homes in Langford, and Woodsmere would like to acknowledge Mayor Stew Young and Counsel for their ongoing support. Special thanks to W&J Construction Ltd. and their team for building the project on time and on budget! Woodsmere looks forward to working with CMHC on future affordable rental housing projects." – Danny Jadresko, President, Woodsmere Holdings Corp.

Quick facts

At least 10% of the homes will meet municipal accessibility requirements including a few units featuring adaptable and universal design.
The project demonstrates strong affordability outcomes. At least 35 homes will maintain rents at or below 30% of the median household income level of the area for at least 11 years.
Orono Place Apartments is located in the downtown core of Langford in the Greater Victoria region, which is currently experiencing very low vacancy rates.
The RCFi, a National Housing Strategy National Housing initiative delivered by CMHC, supports rental housing construction projects to encourage a stable supply of rental housing across the country for middle-class households struggling in expensive housing markets.
Launched in April 2017, the RCFi has generated a lot of interest and a high number of quality applications. This is why, through Budget 2018, the Government increased the amount of low-cost loans provided by this initiative from $2.5 billion to $3.75 billion and further increased to $13.75 billion with budget 2019. In total, the RCFi will encourage the construction of 42,500 new rental housing units across Canada.
The rental market is an important housing option for approximately 30% of Canadians.
Low-cost loans are available to borrowers who want to build purpose built rental housing in Canada in response to demonstrated community need.
Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
Associated links

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

[Mike K.]

Staff are recommending approval of this project: https://victoria.cit...linwood-avenue/

[Darren14]

Does anyone know whats happening with 3927 Blenkinsop Rd. It's been vacate for a decade since Cedar Hill Auto was there.. the only information i've found was a article for 2015. I noticed people inside the fence doing something within the last month. 

 

 

 

The empty lot on Blenkinsop Road near Cedar Hill Cross Road was once an Esso service station, closed and demolished in 2009. The property has been undergoing soil remediation since 2011, which is coming to an end, said Imperial Oil spokesman Pius Rolheiser.

“Our goal is to obtain a certificate of compliance from the Ministry of the Environment and list the property for sale.”
The company might be able to do that later this year, Rolheiser added.

The property is still zoned C-9 — local service station — but is large enough to hold up to three single-family homes, said Jarret Matanowitsch, Saanich manager of current planning.

The property was assessed at $829,000 in 2014, with property taxes of $18,050. Source https://www.timescol...toria-1.1785689

[Mike K.]

Nothing on the radar just yet but I’ll keep an eye out. Thank you.

[Jackerbie]

There's finally a proposal for the vacant triangle of land at the intersection of Douglas and Saanich, next to Uptown. It's a.... two-storey commercial building with ground floor pharmacy and offices above. Wonder who is behind this, as they'll be competing with Shoppers, Walmart, and Save-On.

 

Site plan: https://www.saanich....las20200324.pdf

Elevations: https://www.saanich....0200324elev.pdf

Landscape plan: https://www.saanich....0200324land.pdf

[Jackerbie]

Staff are recommending approval of this project: https://victoria.cit...linwood-avenue/

 

It's off to a public hearing on June 16.

 

NParker, please avert your eyes from this architectural masterpiece.

[aastra]

 

There's finally a proposal for the vacant triangle of land at the intersection of Douglas and Saanich, next to Uptown. It's a.... two-storey commercial building

 

Perfect. It's such a low-profile site, you wouldn't want anything notable or distinctive there. Also, it should be tiny and short because of the danger of overshadowing and overwhelming the small-scale neighbourhood vibe of Uptown right next door.

[Jackerbie]

Perfect. It's such a low-profile site, you wouldn't want anything notable or distinctive there. Also, it should be tiny and short because of the danger of overshadowing and overwhelming the small-scale neighbourhood vibe of Uptown right next door.

 

My guess is that the proposal is being driven by parking requirements (heh). Small site with ground contamination? That's two strikes against underground parking right there, so they've opted for surface parking and a small building. If Saanich would consider a parking variance to get around tying the floor area to the number of parking stalls, well, that's another conversation.

[GetLisaSomeHelps]

There's finally a proposal for the vacant triangle of land at the intersection of Douglas and Saanich, next to Uptown. It's a.... two-storey commercial building with ground floor pharmacy and offices above. Wonder who is behind this, as they'll be competing with Shoppers, Walmart, and Save-On.

 

Site plan: https://www.saanich....las20200324.pdf

Elevations: https://www.saanich....0200324elev.pdf

Landscape plan: https://www.saanich....0200324land.pdf

 

Not only that, there's a Rexall kitty corner...maybe they're behind it?

[Jackerbie]

Staff are recommending approval of this project: https://victoria.cit...linwood-avenue/

 

 

It's off to a public hearing on June 16.

 

NParker, please avert your eyes from this architectural masterpiece.

 

Approved!

[Citified.ca]

12-unit residential complex on Esquimalt/Victoria border proposed for high density Esquimalt node

https://victoria.cit...aigflower-road/

[Nparker]

12 units and high density don't really seem synonymous to me.

Edit: to be fair, it is probably greater density than the existing structure on the property.

Edited by Nparker, 06 July 2020 - 10:25 AM.

[aastra]

Will this be the first project in Victoria to make extensive use of plain panel cladding?*

 

*no

[Lapis Homes]

12 units and high density don't really seem synonymous to me.

Edit: to be fair, it is probably greater density than the existing structure on the property.

812 craigflower.JPG

I'm the developer for this one and happy to take comments and chat about it. It's a pretty exciting project for me (and I'll have new renderings soon based on more recent neighbourhood feedback). 

 

I looked at 15-17 units over the four floors, but I stuck with this density for a couple main reasons: 1.) It meant I could include five larger 2&3 bed homes (all over 1,000 square feet), as I want to offer a real opportunity for families to find a built-in community and trade in the commute for a place closer to where they worked.

 

And 2.), my research points to people being more likely to get to know each other, build relationships, problem solve and form community in multi-family developments when a building is this size or smaller (or when units are grouped into clusters of this size in larger buildings). 

 

Ryan