81 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

It seems to me that vague/generic retail space is going to be another in that popular chain of "SIGNAGE" shops.    I couldn't resist.
 

[jonny]

Looks good. Probably a bit too blandish-modern-contemporary for some, but I do like it. 

 

Man, this area of town is crying out for massive redevelopment. So much potential, but it's such a mish-mash of crappy properties. 

[G-Man]

Too small. Should be illegal to waste property on such low density.

[jonny]

Too small. Should be illegal to waste property on such low density.

 

lol good one. I bet Isitt is chomping at the bit to chop a floor off this one. 

[Nparker]

...I bet Isitt is chomping at the bit to chop a floor off this one. 

It's even more likely he wants to decree that rents must be capped at $500/month in perpetuity. Can't have the "affluenza" start to spread up Douglas Street.

[Kapten Kapsell]

 

This project was revised in May; here's an image showing the updates...

[Citified.ca]

This proposal is now cancelled.

 

Rentals pitched for Douglas Street north of downtown not aligned with Victoria's vision for the area

https://victoria.cit...ver-arrow-cars/

[Nparker]

So the CoV will continue with its policy of "affordable" housing in the most expensive land in the heart of downtown.

[Mike K.]

This project was considering a partnership with Pacifica Housing, too.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Perhaps the city thought that a spot resining would drive up land prices in Rock Bay and potentially cause headaches for commercial users...

[Jackerbie]

Perhaps the city thought that a spot resining would drive up land prices in Rock Bay and potentially cause headaches for commercial users...

 

It would certainly cause a headache for future commercial developments, which would need to address resident concerns over noise, land use, and privacy. Better to unlock the redevelopment potential of residential neighbourhoods than concentrate residences on loud arterial roads and in commercial areas.

[Bernard]

We have been under served by industrial land in this city since the mid 90s.   Look at the Songhees, not long ago it was all industrial.   Local governments keep on rezoning industrial land to residential which means the basic infrastructure for the city as a whole does not have the space to operate.  We even some municipalities that do not even provide any industrial land (Oak Bay).

[Mike K.]

This move makes sense. Ross Marshall spells it out clearly in the linked article.

All of the residential taking place in downtown-proper is taking away land for commercial purposes. The 700-block has always been a retail/commercial/office-first set of blocks but in recent years we’ve seen Era, Hudson District, lots of heritage conversions from office to residential, etc.

[Bernard]

New commercial and retail space been created on an ongoing basis but other than in Langford, there has been no new industrial zoning in the region.

[Mike K.]

Just to be clear here, the City isn't looking for industrial, just light industrial. That's more akin to a sign shop or an electrician's office/depot than a bus depot, recycling centre or manufacturing plant.

[Brantastic]

Can light industrial not be mixed-use? Why can’t people live above a sign shop? It just seems a shame for the region’s most frequent bus corridor to be devoid of people living near it.

[aastra]

 

Why can’t people live above a sign shop?

 

You'd need a serious and prolonged housing crisis for that sort of thing to be justified.

[Bernard]

Housing and even light industrial can cause a lot of complaints about noise and disruption from the residents.  For that reason you need dedicated industrial lands, light or otherwise.    When people live somewhere they have no problem being irrational and demanding the uses that were there before them should not be allowed.    Think of all the people that live along the take off and landing areas for the float planes.   the planes were their first and EVERYONE that purchased a place there should have known about them but that has not stopped ongoing complaints.   Retroactive NIMBYs are some of the worst

[Mike K.]

I can see residential west of Douglas along the west side of Government, but the blocks between Blanshard and Government just beg for more commercial space. Splatter that area with higher density Selkirk buildings and you’ve got a winner.

[Bernard]

Where should the light industrial businesses and warehouses needed for the centre of the city be located if not here?   I would be happy if the city got rid all the car dealerships and made that land available for light industrial and warehouses