The fate of a controversial proposed 103-unit housing complex at the corner of Gordon Head and Feltham roads in Saanich won’t be determined for another 10 days.
After more than 2 ½ hours of input that carried a public hearing past midnight this week, Saanich council opted to postpone its debate and decision until Oct. 8.
Mayor Dean Murdock said it made sense to continue on another night and make a decision when council is more refreshed.
While the public input portion of the meeting is now closed, council can still ask questions of proponent Abstract Developments and clarify details with district staff before deliberating and making a decision.
Murdock said he wasn’t surprised there was plenty of public interest in the project, which includes a 70-unit apartment building and 23 townhomes.
“When there is any kind of change in land use in an area where it’s already busy with a lot of people, I think there’s going to be sensitivity about the impact, particularly with vehicle traffic,” he said.
There was also a lot of public input about the need to create family-suitable homes in the area, as well as homes for students and seniors, said Murdock, adding it will be up to council to weigh the benefits of additional housing against the impact on the existing neighbourhood.
The Abstract project came in for plenty of criticism during the public hearing, held because the project does not meet all of the conditions of the official community plan.
Many suggested the large project, to be built over 1.7 acres, doesn’t fit in with a neighbourhood of mainly single-family homes and will create a traffic nightmare.
The complex also attracted plenty of support, however, from residents who say Saanich needs more housing options beyond single-family homes, which are often unaffordable.
The project would feature a four-storey apartment building and 23 townhomes spread across six three-storey buildings.
The developers would provide $289,920 in community amenity contributions split between the affordable-housing fund and pedestrian and cycling improvements.
The development site is mostly clear land, with a single home sitting at the south end.
Abstract Developments has said the project’s design is intended to transition into the existing neighbourhood, while transportation alternatives such as on-site car share, parking facilities and active-transportation upgrades could address some of the traffic and parking concerns.
In its report to council, district staff noted the project meets some provisions of the official community plan, as it expands housing diversity, adds density close to parks, active transportation and B.C. Transit routes, and supports a 15-minute walkable community.
The project’s height, however, does not conform to the OCP, which calls for buildings of up to only three storeys in the neighbourhood.
However, district staff recommend council approving variances requested for the additional storey and for parking, as the Abstract proposal is about 24 stalls short of meeting what would normally be required.
