A proposal to replace a seniors building in James Bay with a larger facility has cleared a hurdle.
Victoria council moved ahead a rezoning application for a six-storey, 168-unit assisted-living facility to be built on the footprint of Amica’s Douglas House independent and assisted-living facility, which would be torn down.
The demolition of the existing 102-unit building will mean 79 residents will have to find new places to live. Proponent Vancouver-based Milliken Developments is proposing relocation to other Victoria Amica facilities at residents’ current rent rate.
All residents will be given a year’s notice before they are required to vacate their units, the company said.
Coun. Jeremy Caradonna noted the project is a scaled-down version of the eight storeys Milliken had originally proposed, which garnered strong opposition from neighbourhood residents.
“I think that the proponent did listen to the neighbourhood and come down to six storeys,” he said.
“I definitely think it is much more supportable at six storeys than it was at eight.”
Caradonna noted there is huge demand for assisted- and independent-living units.
In a letter to the city, Rob Whetter of dHKarchitects said the existing facility — housed in two connected buildings at 50 Douglas St. and 675-685 Niagara St. — is at the end of its useful life, with small elevators, low ceilings and no central air conditioning.
The new facility would include 57 new memory-care beds, he said.
Coun. Krista Loughton said she appreciated that feature, noting the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada has warned the number of Canadians with dementia is rising sharply.
The lone vote against the proposal came from Coun. Chris Coleman, who suggested the building was still too big at six storeys.
While housing seniors next to Beacon Hill Park is “absolutely critical,” the proposed building’s height is a sticking point, he said.
The project required variances to allow for the height of 23 metres, an increase of five metres from what is there now, as well as greater site coverage — the new project would cover 53 per cent of the site, up from 40.
City staff recommended approval, as the project is consistent with the Official Community Plan and provides needed rental housing.
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