The developer of an Esquimalt condominium building is taking the unusual step of seeking two more storeys — which would lead to 16 more units — while the project is in the middle of construction.
Normally, projects are approved prior to the start of construction, and height and size are not altered.
In this case, Lexi Development Group of West Vancouver won its initial rezoning in 2020 and construction began on Pacific House in 2022. It has submitted a new rezoning application for its 899 Esquimalt Rd. site at the intersection with Head Street for the extra height on the sloping lot. If two more storeys are approved, the building would be 12 storeys at its highest section and have 82 units, up from 66. This would ease the “financial burdens” of the project, the developer said in its submission to Esquimalt.
Lexi Development is also offering a 999-square-foot suite to the municipality for the “betterment of community needs.”
In today’s climate with rising interest rates and construction costs increasing 51 per cent since the pandemic started, the viability of many projects has been severely limited, the company said.
This has led builders to modify construction plans, often by increasing density to offset rising costs, it said.
Without redesigns, developers may be forced to put their projects on hold, the submission said. “These delays contribute to the severe shortage in housing supply already faced in the current market, eroding affordability and making housing increasingly inaccessible.”
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Dejardins said Monday that the developer is going through required steps at municipal hall. The proposal goes before the design review committee on Wednesday and to the advisory planning committee the following week.
Asked if council would vote on whether to send it to a public hearing, Dejardins said that staff are in the midst of figuring out what would be required under new provincial initiatives to increase residential density around the province.
Given that the development is partly completed, the timeline is tight, she said. Under past procedures, a rezoning application would go through advisory committees and then come before council which would then decide whether to send it to a public hearing. But at this point Dejardins said, she can’t comment on the upcoming process because staff “are making sure they are getting it right.”
One aspect to be considered by structural engineers is whether two more storeys can be added to the building, she said. Community consultation will be included in the process, she said.
As for the offered suite, Dejardins said she has heard it would be a two-bedroom unit, making it one of the larger units in the project. “I’m looking forward to hearing from staff as to their ideas on that unit. In terms of benefit for the community, I can think of a few ideas around the provision of housing.”
Esquimalt must allow the application process to occur and also make sure that people are well aware of what is happening in the community, she said.
Dejardins said she does not want to see the project extend its completion plans because that could mean buyers could find themselves without a place to stay.
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