26 replies to this topic

[GaryOak]

Hopefully with this project the municipality can also expand the right of way, possibly a left turn lane into rainbow and maybe some extra room for bike lanes

[Mike K.]

That area has pretty decent cycling connectivity.

[Victoria Watcher]

Many who spoke at Monday’s meeting, which lasted more than four and a half hours, were still upset about the size and impact of the townhouse project at the northeast corner of Rainbow Street and Sevenoaks Road.

 

“The last approved development will negatively impact the area; this development will destroy the community,” said one nearby resident, who asked council to reject the project and force Abstract to return to the drafting table for a redesign, then face a public hearing.

 

Neighbouring residents raised concerns about traffic, pedestrian safety, parking and loss of significant numbers of trees if the condo project is allowed to replace three single-family homes at 801, 811 and 821 McKenzie Ave.

 

Others said the massive condo project was just too big for the area, and would have a heavy impact on the environment and the nearby nature sanctuary.

 

Resident Carly Hyman said the recent provincial order for municipalities like Saanich to increase the amount of housing they approve to alleviate the shortage of affordable housing in B.C. is no excuse to blindly charge ahead. The province last month set a goal for Saanich of 4,610 new units within five years.

 

“The order from the province is not a corresponding invitation to make our neighborhoods less safe, cut down urban forests, disregard our values and change our neighbourhoods,” she said.

 

One resident called the proposed condo development an “extreme example” of building homes for profit, not affordability, “with complete disregard for this environment.”

Mayor Dean Murdock said he thought the meeting was productive and council has now directed Abstract to work on a redesign to retain more trees on site, focusing on a cluster of Garry oaks in the northwest corner of the site.

 

“I think council signaled that it would be prepared to look at accommodating the kind of density on this site with a redesign, if it means retaining those trees,” he said.

Abstract has also been asked to provide additional traffic-management measures and accessible parking, and to work with Saanich staff to explore design trade-offs to make the project more palatable for the community and council.

 

Murdock said he appreciates the frustration of area residents, who are having to deal with a “lot of proposed change at one time.”

 

“I can see why there’s frustration and it’s a lovely area and it backs onto a beautiful nature sanctuary. There’s some understandable sensitivity about what kinds of impact development is going to create.”

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...project-7731800

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 October 2023 - 03:56 AM.

[HarrisonGreene]

Classical shallow nimby arguments, except the “community” this development will destroy is essentially a 4-lane highway?! I’d argue this will act as a sound barrier for the neighbouring houses from McKenzie.

[Victoria Watcher]

I’d agree. But I don’t know about that parking ratio. This saving of “specific” trees is insane too.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 October 2023 - 07:18 AM.

[HarrisonGreene]

Didn't you know that many people flock to the 800 block of McKenzie every fall to see the beautiful trees which definitely are not ubiquitous?

[aastra]

It's just too bad that McKenzie & Pat Bay will no longer be a refuge away from automobile traffic.