Big homes, expensive homes, high-density homes and ultra-modern homes raise the hackles of neighbours throughout Greater Victoria, but it seems even the greenest of homes can stir up opposition.
Saanich council has just such a controversy on its plate, and it will require great wisdom to solve this problem.
At issue is a one-acre lot at 5197 Del Monte Ave., off Walema Avenue on Cordova Ridge. A 1950s-style single-family home sits on the property, but a developer wants to replace it with five Passive Houses.
Passive Houses are designed to use 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings, and supporters say they are the direction in which all our homes must move. The houses on this site would be solar-powered, would capture and store rainwater, would use grey water for toilets and would have an electric-vehicle car share.
For many neighbours, green as they are, the five 鈥淏eespot 1.0鈥� houses with space for a total of 25 cars are too many for the area. Past attempts to put three houses on the site were rejected, so five is an even harder sell.
Opponents say they would create too much traffic in area with narrow roads, and staff recommended against the project because it goes against the official community plan.
The Beespot project shows us the way of the future, but council will have to decide if it is too much of a good thing.
