The developer of a controversial townhouse project near Swan Lake has finally been able to get the green light from Saanich council.
TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 public hearing saw a split council voting five to four in favour of proceeding with the three-storey, 25-unit townhouse development thatB次元官网网址檚 been met with intense opposition by the neighbourhoodB次元官网网址檚 residents - with some demanding the project be reduced to 12 or 13 units.
Coun. Colin Plant said 25 units on three lots would increase the unit density of the lots by over 700 per cent B次元官网网址� a fact, he said, that ultimately shaped his decision to vote against Abstract DevelopmentsB次元官网网址� proposal.
B次元官网网址淚 empathize with the concerns expressed about road safety, tree loss, impact to the proximal Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary,B次元官网网址� said Plant. B次元官网网址淏ut it is the change to the neighbourhood character, as a result of the density proposed, that I find myself unable to support.B次元官网网址�
Plant added that he still supports development and increased density at the 3977 Rainbow St. site, but suggested the developer return with a proposal of 19 or 21 units instead.
Mayor Dean Murdock, whose vote helped approve the townhouses, said thereB次元官网网址檚 a clear need for homes that are suitable for families in Saanich, and that single-family homes are largely out of reach for median-income, dual-parent households with children.
READ MORE: B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 heard very clearly, as I think many members of this council did, that people in communities are very supportive of building townhouses that would allow their families and children to find homes in the community,B次元官网网址� said Murdock.
B次元官网网址淭hese have been very challenging discussions B次元官网网址� both mentally and emotionally B次元官网网址� for everyone on both sides of the table,B次元官网网址� Tavish Rai, executive vice president at Abstract, said in a statement to the Saanich B次元官网网址.
B次元官网网址淚n the end, we believe that this is the right kind of housing in the right location B次元官网网址� the kind of housing that families in Saanich are looking for. We look forward to providing much needed housing to the District of Saanich that aligns with the municipalityB次元官网网址檚 vision of a sustainable future.B次元官网网址�
Abstract previously said that cutting the number of townhomes by 50 per cent was not economically viable.
Approval of the developerB次元官网网址檚 application is pending an agreement with the district, which requires that garages include electric charging infrastructure, that units be built to be solar ready for future installation of photovoltaic or hot-water heating systems and that the developer provides $75,000 in community-amenity contributions for sidewalk and crosswalk construction.
READ MORE:
Do you have a story tip? Email: austin.westphal@saanichnews.com.
Follow us on and and like us on
