197 replies to this topic

[GaryOak]

I think they'll try again once the province enacts whatever they are planning

[todd]

Staff were equally as shocked by the change of heart. Council went completely against the grain here.

https://oakbay.civic...?Org=Cal&id=859

[Victoria Watcher]

I think they'll try again once the province enacts whatever they are planning

 

 

Tucked away behind overgrown bushes is the most controversial property in Oak Bay. Located at 2326 Oak Bay Ave., its future may be decided Monday night at a council meeting.

 

Leo Spalteholz is part of the advocacy group Home for Living Victoria, which is pushing for more affordable housing in the capital region.

 

“There is a lot of pressure on Oak Bay right now,” Spalteholz said.

 

This proposed condo project has no affordable component, but Oak Bay is far behind any other municipality in the region for increasing density.

 

“If we look at the Oak Bay official community plan, the goal there is to grow at .5 per cent a year. They are shrinking,” Spalteholz said.

 

“If you look at Oak Bay’s actual housing report, they are saying we should have 130 new homes a year. They are building zero.”

 

______________

 

And Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s Housing Minister, said Oak Bay is one of 10 cities the province is pressuring to increase density — or else.

 

“They’ll have six months to show us progress,” Kahlon said.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...monday-1167911/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 September 2023 - 10:25 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

https://www.facebook.com/stopthequest

 

[aastra]

The Clive is a beautiful little modern apartment building. Really great. And that other one further down Newport also looks great. Can't remember the name but I think it was a complete renovation even though it looks like a brand new building (edit: the one called "Trelawney", and yes, even though it was built in 1955, they say it was "completely reconstructed").

 

Anyway, along Oak Bay Avenue/Newport Ave there wouldn't seem to be any basis for the standard "too tall" complaints or the standard "too ugly" complaints against this modern breed of small apartment buildings. Even many of the older/larger buildings are not ugly, as compared to the typical building in Victoria or Esquimalt of that same era.

 

So have we all given up on the big oak tree? No one is still pretending they ever actually cared about it?

Edited by aastra, 11 September 2023 - 01:50 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Public input is on the agenda for a four-storey building pitched for 2326 Oak Bay Ave.

 

Previous pitches for the building called Quest date back a decade. The latest application filed this spring would see a zoning change from single family to a comprehensive development zone to allow a 15-unit building with underground parking.

 

Currently housing a single-family home, the site is close to Oak Bay village and flanked by multi-unit buildings with a single-family home on the property behind. The site is designated in the official community plan as multi-unit residential.

 

 

https://www.vicnews....ncillor-3765229

[HarrisonGreene]

Looking forward to when the province gives the go-ahead for 40+ stories in Oak Bay. It's almost unbelievable that such a minute project is controversial, but I suppose it is Oak Bay...

[Nparker]

I dread the day the province overrides local planning decisions. I see nothing good about this whatsoever.

[todd]

I’m not a blasting expert so can you please explain why the blasting portion of the Quest proposal is sensible and safe? Keeping in mind that Victoria recently approved a project that caused the neighbouring property to collapse.

Still waiting on an answer. Good thing Mike K is a “know it all”.

Edited by todd, 14 September 2023 - 01:28 PM.

[Mike K.]

I know enough to know I don’t know much of anything about blasting.

[Matt R.]

Dave’s Blasting - we don’t stand behind our work, we stand behind a tree.

[todd]

I know enough to know I don’t know much of anything about blasting.

that was one of the reasons given for the denial. Until you all find out you’re just gonna have to take a neutral stance

[Victoria Watcher]

Neutral Stace is touring with Tinto Rocks in 2026.

[aastra]

They ripped off Neneh Cherry.

[Matt R.]

Neutral Stace is touring with Tinto Rocks in 2026.

Also coming to a 10x10 market tent at Splifflandia.

[Matt R.]

They ripped off Neneh Cherry.

Hahahaha!

[Victoria Watcher]

Oak Bay council finally, unanimously, approved condo project The Quest after more than 10 years of rejections.

 

In the end, it took just a minute for Oak Bay council to approve its most contentious and controversial development, and Large and Co. developer, Pam Coplman, can’t believe it’s finally happening.

 

“Well, thrilled. I mean there is nothing else to say,” said Coplman on Thursday. “It’s been 10 years, and it actually still feels a little surreal. It doesn’t feel like it’s happened. It’s a great feeling to actually move forward.”

 

First proposed by Large and Co. Development more than a decade ago, council rejected the four-storey condo development several times, including in 2022, when councillors refused to allow a public hearing.

 

But Coplman persisted, and says the timing worked in her favour.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...-years-1172913/

 

 

“Honestly I think it’s political. When you have the pressure from the province, and also the community, they really want housing of all kinds, they just can’t afford to say no,” Coplman said.

 

Earlier this year, the province announced housing targets for municipalities on its so-called ‘naughty list’ that are lagging on housing, including Oak Bay, which has a goal of building 660 units over the next 10 years.

 

B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the province’s goal is to build more housing.

 

“We have legislation coming this fall which will allow up to four units on single family lots, transit-oriented development, So there is a whole host of things that will come to ensure that local governments meet their targets,” he said.

 

Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch says this decision proves the municipality is moving in the right direction.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course it's political, every council decision is political.

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 October 2023 - 11:42 PM.

[Mike K.]

Pam Colpman, not Coplman.