The public hearing for the contentious Roundhouse project in Vic West could be spread out over three nights due to the number of people who want to have their say on the massive mixed-use project.
The City of Victoria confirmed Friday that a third night “is in the works” following a four-hour public hearing Thursday night that was shut down at 11 p.m. after dozens of residents made impassioned pleas to do everything from rethinking or approving to completely scrapping the project.
The city has already scheduled Part 2 of the hearing for Monday night at 6:30 p.m., when council will sit through about 3.5 hours of video submissions from residents before asking questions of the developer’s team.
That meeting could also run late, as council will start its deliberations only after all of its questions have been answered.
Part 1 of the hearing into rezoning the land for the Roundhouse project at 251 Esquimalt Rd., 210 Kimta Rd. and 355 Catherine St. heard from all points on the spectrum Thursday night.
The proposal, more than 15 years in the making, would see construction of nine buildings ranging in height from 10 to 32 storeys, with 70,000 square feet of commercial space, and 1,870 residential units, 215 of which would be deemed below-market-price rentals. Heritage buildings on the site would be renovated.
Many who stepped up to speak Thursday night said it’s about time the 10 acres of empty land surrounding the Roundhouse national historic site was developed into a community with amenities and services for the neighbourhood.
Others urged development but with smaller buildings and more in line with the existing official community plan and development guidelines.
Some who spoke in opposition to the rezoning process wondered why the more scaled-down plans considered 15 years ago, which included a Granville Island-style market, never come to fruition. Some of those speakers, who said they had been sold on that kind of future development when they bought their homes in the neighbourhood years ago, suggested if project proponent Ken Mariash of Focus Equities was no longer up to that kind of challenge, he should sell the land and let someone else get on with it.
Frank Naccarato, who lives in the neighbourhood and was one of the people who had hoped there would be more housing and services there by now, urged council to take its time in developing the site rather than overwhelming it with a massive project.
Arthur McInnis, who has been outspoken about stopping the development, saying the scale of development is too much and will overwhelm the site, suggested the drawings and documentation for the project have been misleading and lacking detail, and the scope of the proposal is simply too much for the site and the city.
Teri Vickers-Craig, who moved to the neighbourhood two and a half years ago from Toronto, produced an A-Z of concerns about the project that started with affordability and aesthetics and ended with zoning as a step backward — in between, there were stops at density, height of buildings, infrastructure and increased traffic.
For Steve Barber, retired from his position as Victoria’s senior heritage planner, the proposal threatens the charm of Victoria and its draw for visitors. “This is not the Victoria that tourists from around the globe come to see,” he said. “They can see highrise buildings dwarf historic buildings in other cities in Canada.”
Barber also noted Parks Canada’s national historic site, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Roundhouse, is under threat from the project.
“Building a 10-storey and 29-storey tower right next to a one-storey heritage building clearly compromises the integrity of this national historic site,” he said.
Jessica Dunn, spokeswoman for Harbour Air, said the airline has concerns about the potential impact of the increased development and high rise towers on flight operations.
“The lack of prior consultation with the Victoria Harbour airport operator, Transport Canada, Harbour Air, and other float plane operators regarding the evolving developments could affect our ability to safely operate at the Victoria Harbour airport,” she said, noting the height of structures could affect approach and departure paths for aircraft
There was also plenty of support for the project, with many saying the city is in dire need of housing of all kinds, and that a commercial centre would bring vibrancy and life to the neighbourhood.
Corinne Saad, executive director of the Gorge View Society, which provides affordable seniors housing, said she was behind the Roundhouse proposal because increased height and density are key factors to get much-needed housing built.
“The Roundhouse of Bayview Place will offer people badly needed housing. And as I said, it’s a mix of housing that is particularly innovative in this project. This unique project between developer and non-profit offers a fantastic opportunity to build up to 220 affordable homes,” she said, reminding council of the dire need for affordable units in the city.
“I think it’s an opportunity not to be missed, and I urge you to approve the proposed bylaws and allow this amazing vision to be realized.”
