Sidney council is calling on the Victoria Airport Authority to hold off approving a nearly 500,000-square-foot distribution centre until it has consulted with local First Nations leadership and sought public input, especially from nearby residents.
Council also says it’s time to revisit the memorandum of understanding outlining its formal relationship with the airport authority.
York Realty is hoping to build a distribution centre with a construction cost of more than $50 million for an unnamed tenant on airport lands.
Opponents’ concerns include the building’s size, height and design, and increased traffic congestion.
On Monday, Sidney council drew up a list of recommendations for the airport authority.
The town has had significant input from the community about the proposal, Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith said Tuesday. A total of 44 submissions went to council, which also heard from speakers.
Council “felt it was important to bring forward several strong recommendations for the airport to consider before they give approval,” McNeil-Smith said.
He said that when airport authority president and chief executive Geoff Dickson spoke to council, he committed to community engagement, “which we think is probably paramount,” as well as to working with other stakeholders on necessary transportation and infrastructure improvements.
Sidney wants the airport authority to work with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council — made up of the Tsartlip, Tseycum and Tsawout First Nations — as well as the neighbouring Galaran Road neighbourhood, and to solicit public input prior to approving the project, McNeil-Smith said.
Dickson told council on Monday that the airport authority will “happily” carry out more consultation, and that would continue if the project is approved.
Although the airport authority lands fall within the town of Sidney, approval is up to the authority, which leases the federal lands and has jurisdiction over such decisions.
McNeil-Smith said 21 years ago, when the memorandum of understanding was reached, a project of this size was probably not contemplated.
Given the scale, location near a residential community and anticipated traffic effects, “it becomes very significant,” he said.
Dickson told council the airport authority is “trying to be responsible neighbours.” He agreed to several recommendations but said the authority cannot change the height or mass of the building.
He asked the town to consider the net benefit of the proposal, which would be developed on bare land on a site already zoned for industrial use. The project would deliver taxes to the town, create construction work as well as jobs in the finished building, and generate revenue for the airport authority.
Council’s recommendations include that the airport authority be a funding partner and work with the developer, Sidney, the District of North Saanich and other stakeholders to build a traffic roundabout at Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road.
Dickson said the airport authority “can commit to having the roundabout developed,” adding it would seek federal funding. Dickson agreed with council that a realignment of Stirling Way is needed, saying that could happen within three to four years and would cost $3 million to $4 million.
Sidney is also asking the airport authority to help pay for improvements at the intersection of Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue. Dickson said the airport authority is willing to see what can be done at that location.
Dickson agreed with the recommendation that telecommunication and electrical site servicing be installed underground, and said the airport authority will work with the neighbourhood on entrances to the site, another local concern.
The town urged that the east elevation of the building be revisited to reduce its impact on the Galaran neighbourhood.
Geoff Irwin, who lives on Jahn Place off Galaran Road, said he was angered about what he called a “disgraceful” lack of engagement by the airport authority. “The community that will be most affected by this proposed development has been completely left in the dark.”
Irwin, who expressed concern about traffic, pollution, noise and safety, said the proposed building is out of place for the site.
Others expressed support for the plan, however, with one letter to the town calling it a “big boost for employees and the city.”