Central Saanich council has nixed a proposal that would have delivered nearly 200 affordable and market rental homes for seniors, veterans, hospital workers and local residents at 1934 Hovey Road and East Saanich Road, Citified has learned.

 

The two-building rental project in partnership with the Legion Manor Housing Society and Victoria-based Aryze Developments, has been underway for two years, with over $1 million invested into the application process to-date, says Rod Hughes, President of Legion Manor Victoria.

 

This is the third time the Legion Manor Victoria has seen a failed development attempt in Central Saanich. The Legion has been looking to expand its facilities in the district for over a decade, and the most recent proposal had stakeholder buy-in, including support from the Tsawout First Nation, planning staff at the District, and the District’s advisory planning committee.

 

“This proposal felt like a perfect match. A site within the Urban Containment Boundary directly adjacent to our existing facility where we could sustainably scale our operations, while keeping costs low. Plus, a considerable discount on the land from Aryze,” Hughes said.

 

Although not explicitly reflective of Central Saanich’s official community plan (OCP), the development met with Central Saanich’s overall OCP spirit, says Aryze Principal, Luke Mari, and in turn the vision won support of planning staff.

 

“We are OCP supported, not compliant, but the OCP lays out ways to amend complex projects like ours to make them fit in within the scope of the municipal vision, and we meet all the tests of this process, and were able to secure staff support,” Mari said.

 

Mari tells Citified a housing analysis undertaken in Central Saanich has revealed seniors to be the most under-served cohort in the municipality. The Legion’s proposal, timely given the analysis and critical at a time of high housing costs, had hoped to address the lack of supply in a walkable location close to Saanichton’s commercial centre, near public transit connections, and in proximity to Saanich Peninsula Hospital. It would have also drastically reduced a waiting list for the Legion’s existing seniors' and veterans’ affordable housing.

 

On Monday night, Central Saanich council voted 3-3 on the proposal’s bylaws to be read, resulting in an automatic rejection of the application due to a tie vote. The decision came despite the municipality’s progressive policies on housing in recent years, that have led to the development of numerous high density apartment and condominium buildings throughout the district, including redevelopment of the Marigold Lands along Highway 17 at Mt. Newton X Road, and several projects in the centre of Brentwood Bay village.

 

Mari says a value of nearly $500,000 in community amenities were proposed to improve active transportation infrastructure in the immediate area of Hovey Road at East Saanich Road, and to benefit a nearby little league field, and they are also selling the land to Legion Manor Victoria at approximately $750,000 below market value.

 

Aryze Developments is one of Victoria’s most active real-estate development firms, with active projects throughout Victoria, including multiple sites under construction in the City of Victoria. The company has a history of working with local First Nations and non-profits, including the Songhees First Nation currently developing a rental complex along Admirals Road, and Victoria's Anawim Housing Society. C

 

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