3505 replies to this topic

[Citified.ca]

$20 million affordable seniors and family-oriented rental project rising at Langford's Tri-Way Mobile Home Park

https://victoria.cit...bile-home-park/

[Citified.ca]

How BC Housing’s Affordable Home Ownership Program is turning Victoria renters into homeowners

https://victoria.cit...nto-homeowners/

[Victoria Watcher]

Metis Nation targets families with rental housing, childcare project in Saanich

Land purchase worth $2.2 million funded by Canada-Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord

 

 

Early learning, child care programs and office space for Metis Nation Greater Victoria are to be part of the project.

 

“Our cabinet is committed to building a network of Metis housing and childcare centres across B.C. I’m excited for our future and the work we are doing to take our Nation to new heights,” Lissa Dawn Smith, MNBC’s acting president, said in a statement.

 

 

https://www.vicnews....ect-in-saanich/

 

 

 

 

The Metis have a nation now?   Oh brother.  That seems complicated.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 November 2021 - 05:53 AM.

[spanky123]

^ I like how these purchased are always represented as coming from some FN group when the reality is that all of the money is from the Feds, it is just granted first to the FN who then make the purchase.

[spanky123]

 

The Metis have a nation now?   Oh brother.  That seems complicated.

 

The Metis have had representation for a while although it is very complicated. Anyone can self-identify as Metis (although that does not mean they are "status Indians"). 

[Victoria Watcher]

In an effort to rapidly expand the city’s housing supply, Victoria is trying to streamline its application process for certain eligible and supportive projects.

 

The changes will give housing projects owned and operated by non-profit or government agencies the maximum allowable density for the property being proposed for construction – as defined in the Official Community Plan.

 

To speed up the application timeframe, city staff are proposing that development permits for eligible projects be delegated to the director of sustainable planning instead of needing a council vote, as long as the approved city design guidelines are met and are still in place. check with the advisory project. panel.

 

The process changes, outlined in a report to the entire commission on Thursday (January 13th), will require changes to land use procedures and zoning bylaws. The proposal was prompted in 2020 when the Council directed staff to support the rapid deployment of affordable and supportive housing with government partners and non-profit housing providers.

 

As a result of the housing crisis in Victoria, nearly half of its 27,720 tenant households spend more than 30 percent of their income solely on housing, and about 1,100 people are on the provincial waiting list for affordable rental in the city, the report said.

 

During the consultation, housing partners told the city that the ongoing resonance and development permit process “adds risk to the project, increases costs and challenges nonprofits to deliver homes to the most vulnerable in our community.”

 

According to city staff, switching to the recommended strategy will shorten the application process by three to nine months.

 

The report also states that the proposed changes will only apply to a small number of non-profit housing projects, highlighting how there were only 10 applications submitted to the city in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

 

“While the number of development projects expected to take advantage of these changes in the process is small, the benefits for Victorians would be significant given the acute need for new affordable rental units,” the report said.

 

https://newsofcanada...r-saanich-news/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 January 2022 - 07:30 AM.

[Nparker]

...the benefits for Victorians would be significant...

Yeah, right. 

[Victoria Watcher]

There can’t be all that many applications. Just bring them forward to council in the minimum timeframe permitted.

Statuatory notice etc.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 January 2022 - 07:36 AM.

[Mike K.]

They were already supposed to be fast tracking affordable rentals, I thought.

[Nparker]

Yes but now they will be super-fast-tracked!

[spanky123]

They were already supposed to be fast tracking affordable rentals, I thought.

 

What they are trying to do is implement the first step of their plan to have all applications bypass council and be approved by staff. The Mayor and City Manager can then appointment whomever they want into that staff role(s) and bingo we don't have to worry about that pesky democratic process anymore!

 

So if you are a developer and sign an NPO on as a "partner" does that now get your application fast-tracked under the proposed changes? 

Edited by spanky123, 13 January 2022 - 09:01 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

What they are trying to do is implement the first step of their plan to have all applications bypass council and be approved by staff. The Mayor and City Manager can then appointment whomever they want into that staff role(s) and bingo we don't have to worry about that pesky democratic process anymore!

 

So if you are a developer and sign an NPO on as a "partner" does that now get your application fast-tracked under the proposed changes? 

 

Which is actually a step safer.  As they will still follow the OCP.  Not like their upzoning attempt they are musing about.  That will defy all OCPs.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 January 2022 - 09:56 AM.

[spanky123]

Which is actually a step safer.  As they will still follow the OCP.  Not like their upzoning attempt their are musing about.  That will defy all OCPs.

 

Ok sure if we use the firehall development as an example, the developer argued (in effect) that although the density on one site was higher than what the OCP allowed, they should be allowed to average density across multiple sites so that they are deemed to be within the OCP. I don't think we want staff making those determinations themselves.

[Mike K.]

I don’t see a problem with averaging out the density. That seems reasonable.

[spanky123]

I don’t see a problem with averaging out the density. That seems reasonable.

 

I wasn't saying that it wasn't reasonable but that it was an interpretation that I think should be made by elected officials. Even if these changes get passed does anyone think there will not be political interference? The difference will be that it will be one politician directing staff instead of nine.

 

There is fear in the development community now that if you say something the Mayor doesn't like then your project will get tanked, this would just ensure that.

Edited by spanky123, 13 January 2022 - 09:54 AM.

[Barrrister]

MikeK   Give some more thought to the inherent problem of allowing the averaging out of density across multiply sites. There are some really bad snerios.

[Mike K.]

If it complies with the OCP it won’t get tanked, that’s the spirit of the changes. If a developer is seeking variances or the averaging out density scenario then it’s reasonable for the developer to expect some form of back and forth and likely council intervention or public input process.

This sounds like a smart move. Too many resources are spent stick handling proposals adhering to the rules.

[Victoria Watcher]

To play devil's advocate.  We could just reject any rezoning or variances.  Build within the current zoning.  Period.  Then everyone would know where they stand.

[A Girl is No one]

Yes but now they will be super-fast-tracked!

And elected officials will wash their hands of it. There will be zero accountability. This is absolutely not acceptable.

[spanky123]

And elected officials will wash their hands of it. There will be zero accountability. This is absolutely not acceptable.

 

My opinion of the issue is that the Mayor (and developers) don't like that council sends projects back for redesign or for further public input as that delays the projects. My opinion is that what the Mayor and developers really want is for the Mayor to be the only approval authority (through selection and direction of City staff).