The future of the largest shopping centre on the Saanich Peninsula has been sealed following a public hearing in the Town of Sidney.

Dubbed Sidney Crossing, the 98,500 square foot nine building commercial node has been approved by Sidney Mayor and Council for 7.5 acres of excess Victoria International Airport land west of Highway 17 between Beacon Avenue West and Stirling Way.

With rezoning approvals in place, Vancouver-based developer Omicron Development must secure a final blessing from the Victoria Airport Authority. Pending successful final approvals, construction is expected to get underway next year.

Omicron, developer of the recently completed Eagle Creek Village shopping centre in View Royal, has identified Sidney Crossing's anchor tenants as a 32,000 square foot grocery store (yet unnamed) and a 20,000 square foot drug store/electronics retailer (believed to be a London Drugs). A total of 10,000 square feet will be available for medical office space with the remaining 36,500 square feet spread among a variety of retailers.

410 surface parking spaces will be included on-site with vehicle access provided off Beacon Avenue West and Stirling Way. A roundabout will be installed at the nexus of Beacon Avenue West, Stirling Way and Galaran Road to allow for a free flow of traffic once Stirling Way is realigned to meet with Galaran Road.

Plans also call for a pedestrian overpass between the area of Mary Winspear Centre on the east side of Highway 17 and Sidney Crossing, which opens up the potential of linking the heavily used Lochside Trail with Victoria International Airport's newly completed Flight Path airport perimeter trail.

The project does not impact the Ministry of Transportation's future plans for a highway interchange at Beacon Avenue, although previously released designs may require alteration.

In January of this year the Agricultural Land Commission voted to remove the Sidney Crossing site from the agricultural land reserve, paving the way for a formal development proposal process. C

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