234 replies to this topic

[Rob Randall]

^Thanks. Those are mine. I went there hoping to get one last glimpse of the lanes in operation before it closed but to my surprise they were already demolishing it. I asked the manager if I could come in and take a few photos. I asked for and received a souvenir bowling pin although it's the modern plastic version, not the old wooden kind.

As I mentioned in the comments the manager said it was still a viable business.

I'm not a big fan of box stores and there are many sites along Douglas St. that would be suitable for this type of development so the permanent and unnecessary loss of Mayfair Lanes is really sad.

Maybe more of a fuss should have been raised at the time. A few dozen opponents scuttled the Cridge Park redevelopment, even though there are two other lawn bowling greens in Victoria. Mayfair was one of a kind on the south Island.

[spanky123]

So what about the property tax hit here. I have to assume that vacant land is taxed at a lower rate than what the owners of Mayfair Lanes would have paid.

Is there typically any sort of arrangement put in place with developers to ensure that they continue to pay the existing taxes while the property is under development or do we just lose out on projects like this and the Radius?

[G-Man]

^ Good Point. Many places get taxed at a lower rate because their use is low value (or no value) such as car lots, parking and vacant lots. If anything these places should be taxed higher than the allowed density to push them to develop.

[G-Man]

So would the planned building next to Lunds Auction house be considered Googie Revival?

[concorde]

^ Good Point. Many places get taxed at a lower rate because their use is low value (or no value) such as car lots, parking and vacant lots. If anything these places should be taxed higher than the allowed density to push them to develop.

Most car lots have options to immediately change to different zoning at their leisure, but they are taxed at a much higher rate. I know several people with large car lots downtown and they would like to develop their property when the time is right and they have found a suitable place to relocate the business.

[martini]

So any update to what's happening to the empty lot/skateboard hangout?

[martini]

Anyone have any update?

[G-Man]

Yeah for the deader. This is never going to happen. We should I guess bump this to cancelled.

[martini]

This coming up to three years since they demolished Mayfair Lanes for this.
What can Saanich council do with the land owner here?

[G-Man]

Not much I don't think. i would bet that they would have to go back to council if they wanted to proceed anyways as most likely the permit has expired.

[concorde]

What can Saanich council do with the land owner here?

Absolutely nothing

[G-Man]

could put a parking lot there and charge 50 bucks a month and people could bus into downtown from there. Hmmm maybe 40 a month. Still sure you could fit a couple hundred spots so 8000 grand a month is better than nothing right now.

[Holden West]

^But that would require a rezoning.

The only thing Saanich has the power to do is to get the owner to clean up the site and secure it, meaning the only vibrant, worthwhile activity on site--skateboarding--will disappear.

[martini]

^But that would require a rezoning.

The only thing Saanich has the power to do is to get the owner to clean up the site and secure it, meaning the only vibrant, worthwhile activity on site--skateboarding--will disappear.

In that case...maybe some things are better left alone.

[AnonAnnie2]

You are invited to a Neighbourhood Meeting
Project Details:
In 2006, Loblaw Properties Ltd. received approval to build a Real Canadian Superstore adjacent to Mayfair Shopping Mall.
Loblaw has submitted a revised proposal to build a smaller sotre along with two commercial retail units. The project site is located immediately north of the Mayfair Shopping Centre at Tolmie and Oak Street.

Please join us at our Neighbourhood Meeting to discuss the changes to our original store plans.

Date: Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Time: 4:30 - 7:30pm (drop-in)
Place: SJ Willis Alternative School,
923 Topaz Avenue, Victoria

Beverages and light snacks will be provided

For further information, plase contact:

Julia Reimer, Brook + Associates
t: 604.731.9053 x 101
e: jreimer@brookdev.com

(the above is word-for-word from a glossy (non-recycled paper) 'flyer' in my mail today).

[G-Man]

This just in:

Loblaw's has submitted a revised proposal for the site. They now want to proceed with a smaller version of their previously proposed plan with the addition of two seperate retail stores in one building that will take up pretty much the entire foot print of the site. None or minimal surface parking is shown. (hard to tell on the small site plan)

I just got the flyer in the mail today. Anyways this is great news and hope all goes well in the process to get this thing built.

There is a rendering which makes it look as though it will be multiple shopping levels on top of U/G parking. No time to post the pick right now.

Community meeting on May 26, 2010 4:30 - 7:30 at SJ Willis. Drop-in style.

[AnonAnnie2]

^ Already posted up the info word for word from the brochure see it here:

You are invited to a Neighbourhood Meeting
Project Details:
In 2006, Loblaw Properties Ltd. received approval to build a Real Canadian Superstore adjacent to Mayfair Shopping Mall.
Loblaw has submitted a revised proposal to build a smaller sotre along with two commercial retail units. The project site is located immediately north of the Mayfair Shopping Centre at Tolmie and Oak Street.

Please join us at our Neighbourhood Meeting to discuss the changes to our original store plans.

Date: Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Time: 4:30 - 7:30pm (drop-in)
Place: SJ Willis Alternative School,
923 Topaz Avenue, Victoria

Beverages and light snacks will be provided

For further information, plase contact:

Julia Reimer, Brook + Associates
t: 604.731.9053 x 101
e: jreimer@brookdev.com

(the above is word-for-word from a glossy (non-recycled paper) 'flyer' in my mail today).

[G-Man]

Doh! Beat me by three minutes!

[bicycles]

could someone scan and post the site plan?