A controversial residential development project in the Cordova Bay neighbourhood will appear before council for a public hearing Sept. 12 following revisions, but public opposition to it remains strong.
Kelsie McLeod, a Saanich spokesperson, confirmed that the district has received updated plans for 986 and 990 Doumac Ave.
Mike Dalton, a representative for the developer, later told the Saanich News the project would go to public hearing on Oct. 3. He did not provide any additional comments beyond the fact that the submitted application is a revised version of previous plans.
Plans initially submitted call for a four-storey, 25-unit condo project with underground parking. Plans submitted to the District of Saanich also show a four-storey, 25-unit condo unit, albeit reported to be smaller.
The developer pulled the application in February following public opposition from local residents, who argued that the development is not consistent with the community, a point Hanny Pannekoek recently expressed in the Saanich News.
“It is my understanding that [the developer] will re-submit their development proposal with a request for rezoning in order to build a four-storey, 25-unit strata-titled apartment on 986 and 990 Doumac Ave,” said Pannekoek. “It is an attractive building and they have revised the height down. However, it is still a four-storey building.”
She called on council to deny the necessary rezoning to apartment village centre from single family dwelling.
“Allowing the rezoning would set a most undesirable precedent,” she said. “A four-storey apartment absolutely does not fit the “form and character” of Cordova Bay, which has a street scape of one or two storeys only.”
She also echoed neighbourhood concerns that the project would lead to the loss of many existing trees in the area and other vegetation.
