Saanich offers new vision for Shelbourne; friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists

Saanich’s years-in-the-making draft Shelbourne Valley Action Plan, which envisions the vehicle-oriented strip as a more transit, pedestrian and cycling friendly collection of community hubs, will go to the public for comment this week.

“I started the ball rolling a couple of elections ago by stating the obvious: that Shelbourne was long past due [for attention]. It’s a narrow two-lane road, terrible sidewalks, with no bicycle facilities,” said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard. “But, obviously, to do something about it you needed to link land use and transportation and work up to a vision for what the Shelbourne Valley will look like.”

The plan, begun in 2009, looks at a kilometre-wide area along a roughly four-kilometre stretch of Shelbourne Street, from the Hillside area to around Feltham Road. It includes four centres or villages — areas of higher density at the major intersections at Feltham, McKenzie Avenue, Cedar Hill Cross Road and North Dairy Road.

Leonard said the draft document is a “vision” that, if approved, will come into place over decades as opportunities arise.

At its core are four guiding principles: calm vehicle traffic and encourage walking, cycling and transit; encourage higher residential density around major intersections; foster community connections and interaction, and green the valley.

Shelbourne is a mix of new and old, residential and commercial, Leonard said, pointing to a new office building at Shelbourne and Cedar Hill Cross Road, and stretches of post-war housing. “So the land use is a very valid discussion and [it makes sense] to treat it as a valley, not just what’s fronting the street, and then with that link land use and transportation.”

Key directions in the draft plan include:

• Strengthening of centres and villages as vibrant community hubs within walking distance of most households.

• A new design for Shelbourne Street that includes separated cycling facilities, transit enhancements and a more enjoyable, safer pedestrian environment.

• A network of greenways and bikeways that provide improved walking and cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

• An improved relationship between buildings and pedestrian areas.

• A healthier environment through restoration of Bowker Creek, protection of environmentally significant areas and enhancement of urban forests.

“What eventually will come to council, I don’t know,” Leonard said. “They are going to get public input on what they’ve achieved as a working group.”

The plan suggests taller buildings near villages and centres at major intersections, with lower development at the periphery.

Feltham Village, at the valley’s north end, would remain neighbourhood focused, with buildings up to four storeys.

University Centre, at McKenzie, is envisioned as the most urban of the four areas with buildings up to six storeys, a network of small streets, underground parking and a transit hub.

Shelbourne Village, or Cedar Hill Centre, is at the centre of the valley and would support buildings up to six storeys.

Hillside Centre, which includes Hillside mall, is viewed as a mix of retail, commercial and residential uses that would serve as the gateway to the valley.

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