The Christie Point rezoning application will move to a public hearing later this month after hours of discussion, presentations, public input and a tight vote Tuesday night in View Royal.
The atmosphere in council chambers was noticeably hostile and after outbursts from some of the roughly 80-plus people in attendance, Mayor David Screech threatened to have those that could not respect the process removed from the meeting.
B次元官网网址淭his is not a theatre, this is a business meeting,B次元官网网址� Screech said after applause erupted from the crowd during a presentation. B次元官网网址淲e understand that everyone in this room B次元官网网址� except the proponents B次元官网网址� are against this.B次元官网网址�
Both the and the proponent Realstar were give time to make presentations to council.
Ann Jordan-Mills spoke on behalf of the Christie Point Advocates and for council.
While Realstar has amended a package for residents that will now give them 12 months notice, Mills noted thatB次元官网网址檚 not good enough in todayB次元官网网址檚 market if residents have nowhere to go.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a whole different world for residents that have lived there for 10, 15 or 20 years,B次元官网网址� she said, noting they will face many challenges in just being able to look up new listings. B次元官网网址淲here are 161 families going to go?B次元官网网址�
With the regionB次元官网网址檚 vacancy rate sitting at roughly 0.5 per cent, she added competition for the few accommodations that are available is overwhelming.
While residents will be given first right of refusal for the new units, Mills noted many will not be able to afford to stay. B次元官网网址淭he rents will be considerably higher than they are now and no consideration will be given for those not able to pay B次元官网网址� It seems to me that our current rental rates are being devalued as are the residents.B次元官网网址�
Later in the meeting Coun. Ron Mattson questioned why current residents could not be grandfathered into the new units at their current rental rates. B次元官网网址淚 do believe residents do come first,B次元官网网址� he said.
In response to a request to keep current rental rates for residents, Realstar vice-president Heather Grey-Wolf said B次元官网网址渢hatB次元官网网址檚 just not the business weB次元官网网址檙e in.B次元官网网址�
She noted the proposed $750,000 contribution to the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 Regional Housing Trust Fund. B次元官网网址淲e feel thatB次元官网网址檚 a much stronger way to provide affordable housing in the region.B次元官网网址�
She added that the contribution, if leveraged through the fund, could create as many as 67 affordable units in the region. B次元官网网址淲e recognize the desperate need for affordable housing in the region.B次元官网网址�
Mattson didnB次元官网网址檛 hide his displeasure. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not happy with that answer,B次元官网网址� he noted.
Residents that spoke during the public participation portion of the agenda reiterated those concerns as well as questioning the environmental impact of the development, increased traffic, noise, height, density, and how it would affect neighbouring properties as well as their view.
One Greater Victoria resident did speak in favour of the proposal, citing a desperate need for more rental accommodations.
Council members emphasized that the public would be able to weigh in if council decided to move to a public hearing and encouraged those with comments to keep them brief.
At one point Screech noted there would be a 30 minute cap on public participation but allowed it to go on for roughly an hour, letting those that wished to have their say.
B次元官网网址淭he prime purpose of this meeting is for council to discuss with staff and hear the presentations,B次元官网网址� Screech noted. B次元官网网址淲e need to get to our part of the meeting.B次元官网网址�
Coun. John Rogers added B次元官网网址測ouB次元官网网址檙e not going to hear that at the public hearing.B次元官网网址�
However, during a quick break after public participation roughly one third of those in attendance left.
During councilB次元官网网址檚 discussion after the break, many were puzzled with the height request of 26 metres for the tallest buildings as plans only called for six storeys.
Staff and a project representative explained that this was due to the fact that detailed designs and survey work have not been completed B次元官网网址� and will not be until the development permit process.
While council was concerned by this, they asked staff to include restrictions on the proposal that would limit the buildings to a maximum of six above ground storeys, regardless of whether the maximum height would allow for a seventh.
Ultimately, council voted 3-2 in favour of moving the project forward to a public hearing, with Mattson and Coun. Heidi Rast opposed.
The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27 at the Songhees Wellness Centre, 1100 Admirals Rd.
Given the number of Saanich residents at the meeting, council also made sure that all residents (regardless of the municipality) within 400 metres of the site would be notified of the hearing.
