Artist's vision for a component of Vic West's updated Dockside Green development plan. Taller buildings, more green spaces and a transient zoning ban (also known as 'AirBnB' zoning) are some of the project scope's notable changes approved by City of Victoria councillors. VanCity Credit Union
Taller buildings and 'AirBnB' prohibition part of revised Dockside Green plan
MIKE KOZAKOWSKI, CITIFIED.CA
Published January 27, 2017
Vic West’s massive Dockside Green development has been re-approved by the City of Victoria following a years-long construction hiatus and re-envisioning process that will yield taller buildings, more green space and a prohibition of transient (‘AirBnB’) zoning.
The multi-acre former railroad and heavy industry brownfield site bordered by Esquimalt, Harbour and Tyee roads in Victoria’s Vic West neighbourhood was originally approved just over a decade ago. Then touted as the ‘greenest’ development in the world, the concept included a multitude of low-rise condominiums and apartments, offices, a hotel, light industrial uses and ample green spaces developed to the highest environmental standards of the day.
However, only two initial phases were built (the last completed in 2009), leaving approximately three quarters of the site as undeveloped land and its team of early visionaries seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Several years following what was then an abrupt hiatus, Dockside Green’s original financial backer, Vancouver-based VanCity Credit Union, took on a more involved role with the project’s planning process and sought to redefine the original concept in order to adapt its future phases to a changing real-estate market.
The revised Dockside Green proposal, approved by Victoria councillors on January 26th, includes:
- residential building heights rising to 20-storeys at the site's southwest corner
- increased heights for residential buildings along its Tyee Road frontage
- a prohibition of transient usage within residences (also known as ‘AirBnB’ usage)
- improved pedestrian connectivity throughout the site
- more green space
- a dog run and children’s play area
- added parking
- and a larger public amenity contribution in the form of parks and public spaces.
VanCity remains committed to building the entire project to a LEED® Platinum Neighbourhood Development certification. A waste water treatment site, operational since Dockside Green’s early phases, will continue to handle the site’s sewage treatment needs.
Prior to receiving approvals for its updated development plan, VanCity embarked on a 49-unit affordable housing development last year. The two-building project, dubbed Madrona, is currently under construction and is expected to complete later this year.
At build-out Dockside Green will yield approximately 1,500 residential units, 37,000 square feet of commercial space and 18,000 square feet of office space. C
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