It was touted in a leasing advertisement from the early 2000s as an “exciting” and “eye-pleasing” new office development that “promises to deliver an outstanding and highly visible landmark on the Trans-Canada Highway at Tillicum Road.”
But 11 years after Saanich council first approved rezoning of the southeast corner of that intersection, it’s still just a patch of grass.
King Lasik, however, now plans to build its own landmark building on the site, and council Monday night gave the OK to build on the property at 3645 Tillicum Rd. The plan is to build a three-storey medical and office building, which would house King Lasik and other tenants.
“I think the design of this building is more attractive (than the one we approved in 2004), just esthetically,” said Mayor Frank Leonard. “This is a local business owner finding a place for his own needs, but also becoming a landlord.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story read that council gave initial approval of the building, and sent the plan to public hearing. Because the property doesn’t need to be rezoned, council’s approval of the new development permit means construction can begin whenever the property owner is ready to go.
kslavin@saanichnews.com