76 replies to this topic

[Kapten Kapsell]

City staff recommend rejecting this proposal; it is being considered by CoTW this Thursday (Jan 25). Report outlining reasons for rejection: https://victoria.civ...rincess Ave.PDF

[Nparker]

City staff recommend rejecting this proposal...

I sort of have to agree with this part of staff's recommendation

...If the proposal included adjoining properties then there would be more site area and it would be less likely that an OCP amendment would be required as the density would be spread out over a larger area. There would likely be an opportunity for more commercial space at the street level, which meets the policy direction in the OCP...The subject property is suitable for some additional density in the form of mixed-use development, although, preferably through a land assembly with adjacent properties to enable the best realization of development potential. Alternatively, the applicant could reduce the amount of residential density being proposed and comply with the OCP...

https://victoria.civ...rincess Ave.PDF

So will Council overrule OCP guidelines to create a small pocket of "work force" housing in an otherwise commerical/industrial area?

[Kapten Kapsell]

I sort of have to agree with this part of staff's recommendation
So will Council overrule OCP guidelines to create a small pocket of "work force" housing in an otherwise commerical/industrial area?

Well Thursday the CoTW will likely vote on whether to send this to a full public hearing, which would take place at a future council meeting. Due to a shortage of rental housing vacancies it is possible that the CoTW will opt to vote in favour of the hearing...

[tiger11]

I agree this proposal is too small and limits future potential. I would like to see a larger land amalgamation to have a significant impact on the neighbourhood. 

[aastra]

I think they're out to lunch yet again. It could be really great if this part of town fills out with smaller-footprint developments.

 

 

The subject property is suitable for some additional density in the form of mixed-use development, although, preferably through a land assembly with adjacent properties to enable the best realization of development potential. Alternatively, the applicant could reduce the amount of residential density being proposed and comply with the OCP...

 

Seriously, just consider the message there. Who cares if a small development is "too dense"? The very reason why I liked this project was because of the small footprint and the relatively narrow frontage. Add a few more projects like that and you'd have a genuinely interesting streetscape. Encouraging developers to swallow up adjacent properties is a recipe for less variety, is my point.

[VicHockeyFan]

City councillors gave it a provisional no.

 

http://www.timescolo...bate-1.23156731

[Kapten Kapsell]

This project is back from  the dead.

 

The developer is now proposing to build the project with just 28 suites (down from the original proposal of 75 micro-suites) for the John Howard society.  A letter from the developer was sent to the City on March 10 along with revised plans.  The letter outlining all  the  changes can be found here;   https://tender.victo...726154256160000

 

Revised  rendering:

 

[Rob Randall]

I approve the idea of larger suites. My vision for the heart of Rock Bay is not microsuites for all buildings. Suite size should reflect the industrial nature of Rock Bay with high loft ceilings and relatively larger open floorplans and basic finishing. Leave the luxury and microsuites for Downtown.

 

The few remaining old buildings set the tone for the neighbourhood. I want it to retain its industrial feel. I want lots of young people, workers, active seniors, artists, craftsmen, prowling the streets. 

 

I love the small footprint and the overall design and use of materials is good. There will be plenty of opportunity in this neighbourhood for fancier buildings on larger lots in the coming years. I want to see diversity, condos and rentals and commercial. 

[Kapten Kapsell]

This goes to CotW on Thursday July 9 ; staff are in favour of the application.

[Brantastic]

Unanimous support from council. It's moving to a public hearing.

[Victoria Watcher]

I approve the idea of larger suites. My vision for the heart of Rock Bay is not microsuites for all buildings. Suite size should reflect the industrial nature of Rock Bay with high loft ceilings and relatively larger open floorplans and basic finishing. Leave the luxury and microsuites for Downtown.

 

The few remaining old buildings set the tone for the neighbourhood. I want it to retain its industrial feel. I want lots of young people, workers, active seniors, artists, craftsmen, prowling the streets. 

 

you want large suites with high ceilings.  and you also want these to somehow be in the "affordable" price range.  you can't have all this.

[Mike K.]

We might also have some issues relating to the step code. I just don’t know if high volume open spaces in a residential setting are going to be a thing moving forward as it’s not politically favourable to approve residences that take a lot of energy to heat and cool.

[Jackerbie]

Unanimous support from council. It's moving to a public hearing.

Approved at the public hearing last night

[Mike K.]

The province announced work is getting underway on this 28-unit project, a haflway house for people leaving correctional institutions.

 

https://victoria.cit...rincess-avenue/

[Nparker]

Delightful. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Twenty-eight new transitional apartments for people coming out of the correctional system are set to open in Victoria in the spring of 2026.

 

A six-storey building to be constructed at 736 Princess Ave. will include 28 studio apartments and a new headquarters for the John Howard Society of Victoria, which provides employment, housing, mentorship and restorative-justice programs.

 

The building, which will be owned and operated by the John Howard Society, will feature a cafe with outdoor seating to be staffed by John Howard clients to help them gain work experience and educational spaces with a demonstration kitchen and classrooms.

 

Construction starts this month and residents are expected to move in in 2026.

 

Manj Toor, executive director of John Howard Society of Victoria, said many people who enter the criminal justice system are homeless, while those with homes can lose them while they are serving their sentence.

 

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...-prison-9103567

[Mike K.]

After all these years, I still find it incredible that so much news is based off government press releases.