A development proposal that would bring nearly 200 rental units to Central Saanich, including homes for seniors and below-market rentals, will get another chance at council.
Central Saanich councillors initially voted in late October against sending the joint proposal from Aryze Developments and the South Vancouver Island Housing Society to a public hearing.
But on Monday, councillors voted unanimously to reconsider that decision at a Nov. 25 meeting.
The development at the corner of Hovey and East Saanich roads would see five single-family homes replaced with a six-storey building with 62 rental homes for seniors, and a four-storey building with 130 rental units, 13 of which would be rented at below-market rates.
The seniors’ housing in the proposed development would be owned and operated by South Vancouver Island Housing Society, which already operates Legion Manor Victoria retirement community next door, which offers affordable housing for seniors and veterans.
Rod Hughes, president of the society, said councillors at the initial vote were concerned about the project’s density, but that number of units is essential to cover the cost of expensive land.
“It all adds up such that unless you have density, you can’t pay the bill and have the rent at an affordable level. It’s simple math,” he said.
The Legion Manor has a wait list of 100 people, which shows the need for seniors housing in the district, he said. “The need is absolutely there. We’ve got veterans living in cars. We’ve got them on the street,” Hughes said.
The market rentals would range from studios to three-bedroom units, said Chris Quigley, director of development at Aryze, which is in talks with Saanich Peninsula Hospital to offer first right of refusal for rental units to hospital workers.
Members of Tsawout Nation will have first right of refusal to affordable homes, Quigley said.
The project also includes financial contributions for Central Saanich Little League turf at Centennial Park, new sidewalks from Hovey Road to Centennial Park and $250,000 for the municipality’s active transportation fund.
Quigley said the developer has heard from residents across the peninsula who are surprised that a project featuring seniors’ housing and affordable rental housing was denied a public hearing.
“We think it’s a positive step forward,” he said.
The initial vote failed on a 3-3 tie, while Coun. Sarah Riddell was on leave from council to run in the Oct. 19 provincial election. She has since returned to council after an unsuccessful campaign.
Coun. Niall Paltiel brought forward a motion to reconsider the vote to allow Riddell to participate.
He said council has delayed votes in the past on less significant land-use matters because of absences, and he felt it was fair to allow all councillors to have a say in whether the project goes to a hearing.
“I do feel we owe it to them to at least hear them out,” he said. “A lot of this has to do with like, facilitating a fair and open process for both, you know, a development application that is looking at affordable housing, but also for residents, whether they’re in favour or proposed, as long as they feel affected by it. I believe they should be heard.”
Mayor Ryan Windsor, who voted in October against sending the project to a public hearing, said he’s not sure if he will change his vote when the issue returns to council, but he supported the motion to reconsider the vote to allow all members of council to participate.
