Thanks to everyone who came out to our AGM last week! As promised, here is the 2012 CCA Land Use report. Click the link below to see the full report which includes highlights from the Shelbourne Valley Plan, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Camosun College, and various other developments in our community!
Shelbourne Valley Action Plan
A lot was accomplished in the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan process in 2012. When completed, the Action Plan will help dictate growth, development, and design in the northern end of the CCA. As such, we have been involved in the process since its inception in 2009.
In March 2012, the transportation consultant’s (Urban Systems) report was submitted. This report can be found on the Saanich website, here:
http://saanich.ca/business/actionplan/shelbourne.html#transportation
The land use and urban design consultants, D’Ambrosio and Landeca, submitted their report in Autumn. A draft copy of this study can be found here:
http://saanich.ca/business/actionplan/shelbourne.html#lud
A round of open houses were held in November 2012 where Saanich sought input on the reports, studies, and recommendations up until that time. Feedback from residents was collected and Saanich will now begin composing the first draft of the Action Plan. Opportunity to provide input still exists and those interested in a focus group to look at potential changes in their neighbourhood should contact Harold Stanley:
250-475-5494 ext. 3410
harold.stanley@saanich.ca
Royal Jubilee Hospital
The Royal Jubilee Hospital Master Campus Plan was essentially completed by the end of 2012. This plan will guide VIHA in development of its site at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. The development of this plan has been of interest to the CCA due to the residential areas of Adanac and Trent Streets that are directly adjacent to the hospital site.
Beginning in the Spring, construction of a small addition to the BC Cancer Building took place. On the Victoria part of the site, demolition of South, East, and Centre Blocks took place.
Camosun College
Owing to the Camosun College Lansdowne Campus’ central location within the CCA, we have been quite involved with the College throughout 2012. The CCA has primarily been involved in the Transportation & Parking Implementation Project which aims to reduce vehicular traffic traveling to and from the College while encouraging alternative forms of transportation.
In June 2012, an application was submitted to Saanich to extend the wireless telecommunications tower on the Fisher Building (near the corner of Richmond and Argyle). No permit has been granted and this proposal is expected to go before Saanich Council sometime in early 2013. Neighbours of the College have been concerned with the amount of wireless antennas present at the site and are worried about potential health effects with the additional electromagnetic radiation. A survey conducted by the CCA found neighbouring residents were opposed of the cell tower expansion. As such, the CCA will not be supporting the proposal to Council.
1535 Oak Crest Drive
A rezoning application for this site was rejected by Saanich Council on June 18th, 2012. The applicant hoped to have the property rezoned to allow for a top/bottom duplex. Many neighbouring residents were concerned with the possibility of a precedent being set for future rezonings. Instead, the applicant is constructing an energy-efficient “passive house” with a purpose-built secondary suite.
1806/1810 Newton Street
Two wide lots will be subdivided to allow for a third residential lot. This was passed at a public hearing on October 16th, 2012.
Hillside Liquor Store
The Hillside Liquor Store at 3201 has applied to consolidate its property with an adjacent residential property at 1664 North Dairy Road to allow for expansion of the current commercial property. A rezoning would be required. No increase in retail space is proposed, but the additional property would be used to accommodate better storage facilities while improving parking. Neighbourhood reaction to this proposal has been mixed. Some residents are happy with improvements to ease traffic flow at the site, but others are concerned with the potential impacts of commercial encroachment into a residential area. A Council date is expected to be set sometime in February.
