An ambitious plan to redevelop the urban core of Saanich will get a public hearing in September, but councillors also heard public concerns about the B次元官网网址榮ignatureB次元官网网址� building of the Nigel Valley development.

A packed council gallery applauded as council meeting as committee-of-the-whole voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing for the proposal that would serve as a central hub for local non-profits.

It would increase the number of residential units in the Nigel Valley area of Saanich near Municipal Hall to a maximum of 796 units B次元官网网址� up from 186 B次元官网网址� as part of a project that would involve 12 separate properties, five property owners (including Saanich) and five agencies that deliver affordable and supportive housing.

These agencies include the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation, the Broadmead Care Society, Garth Homer Foundation, and the Capital Mental Health Association with B.C. Housing serving as the coordinating agency and applicant.

It would also include a 16-storey market housing development at the corner of Ravine Way and Vernon Avenue (Blanshard Street). While plans identify as the developmentB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址榮ignatureB次元官网网址� building, several speakers including Carol Hamil of the Mount View Colquitz Community Association called on Saanich to provide more information, a point echoed by several councillors.

B次元官网网址淗ow large would that building look?B次元官网网址� asked Coun. Colin Plant. B次元官网网址淲e are talking about the biggest building in Saanich,B次元官网网址� he said.

He also cautioned against high expectations in noting that proposed developments at Uptown continue to remain at hold in light of market conditions.

In her official remarks, Hamil asked Saanich to lower the proposed height of the building to 12 from 16 storeys, while leaving open the possibility of extracting a density bonus from the developer that would eventually purchase the land from B.C. Housing.

B次元官网网址淎ny proposal worthy of a density bonus should be considered, this building must be worthy of its prominence,B次元官网网址� she said.

Lauren English, a spokesperson for B.C. Housing, the coordinating agency for the project, said her office is already working on the premise of density bonusing.

Hamil, who drew praise for her thoroughness, also raised concerns about the projectB次元官网网址檚 impact on parking and SaanichB次元官网网址檚 ability to influence the project. B次元官网网址淲hat if a redevelopment does not happen within a reasonable amount of time or a major unforeseen change occurs?B次元官网网址� she asked. B次元官网网址淲hat if the market buildings do not get built?B次元官网网址�

Others also pointed to traffic questions, as well as the need for additional social amenities to serve the area, with several speakers wondering where future children would attend school.

Yet these critiques could not dampen the positive mood that prevailed during MondayB次元官网网址檚 hearing, whose audience included a mix of professionals representing participating agencies, other community leaders, as well as current residents of Nigel Valley, several of whom spoke in favour of the development in urging council to approve it.

Hamil, for all her critiques, praised the developmentB次元官网网址檚 general direction and the extensive community consultations that had preceded MondayB次元官网网址檚 presentation.

B次元官网网址淭his is what we need,B次元官网网址� said Rob Wickson, past president of the Gorge-Tillicum Community Association. B次元官网网址淭his is what get us in the 21st century.B次元官网网址�

Councillors, for their part, acknowledged the complexity of the project B次元官网网址� Coun. Susan Brice called it a B次元官网网址渞ubikB次元官网网址檚 cubeB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� but also pointed to its larger significance.

B次元官网网址淭here is so much goodness tonight, itB次元官网网址檚 not hard to share the enthusiasm tonight,B次元官网网址� said Plant.