Library budget sees Langford residents paying more
The Greater Victoria Public Library’s 2017 final operating budget was under review at Langford’s council meeting Monday night. The budget is sent to all GVPL member municipalities and to be adopted, the budget requires the approval of the municipalities which together contributed the majority of funding in the previous year.
Municipal contributions increased by more than 2.9 per cent for 2017, which is down from last year’s roughly 3.2 per cent increase. However, Langford’s increase is roughly 10.7 per cent due to the city’s high grow rate in both population and assessment values. That translates to roughly $7.50 to the average Langford home.
Despite the jump, council members agreed to approve the budget.
Claude Road development soars to new heights
The developer of a proposed Claude Road apartment building has asked for one additional storey and plans to offer more on-site visitor parking.
A revised application from Matt McKay of DB Services of Victoria is requesting approval for an 11-storey structure, one more than before. The new plan would lower the number of residential units from 117 to 100, allow for one less level of underground parking, give a more slender look to the building and allow for five visitor parking spaces.
To accommodate the increase in height, an amendment to the City’s mixed-used residential commercial zoning bylaws. City staff noted they will revisit the boundaries of the pedestrian town centre and report back to council at a later date. Given the requirement for rezoning, a public hearing would also be required at a future council meeting.
Unused roadway slated for parking
The City is taking the necessary steps to close a portion of McCallum Road and transfer it to an abutting land owner. While McCallum Developments Ltd. meets on-site parking requirements, they would like to add more parking to their site by utilizing this roughly 320-square-metres unused portion of municipal property near Florence Lake Road.
Council saw no problem with that proposal and gave first, second and third reading at Monday’s meeting to a bylaw that would allow it to take place. The transfer still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
