Sotheby’s International Realty has applied to build three residential towers along a 6.1-acre stretch of Oak Bay’s waterfront.
The 582-unit development would sit on three amalgamated lots directly across from the Victoria Golf Club, at 1101, 1069 and 1051 Beach Drive.
Plans include making a private beach accessible to the public, and a coffee shop or seasonal farmers’ market “may be explored in future phases.”
Logan Wilson, a Sotheby’s representative, framed the development as one way to help Oak Bay meet its provincially mandated housing targets.
"This development offers an opportunity for Oak Bay to avoid infill that could change the community's overall fabric by consolidating provincial housing requirements in one location," he said.
According to Oak Bay’s manager of communications Hayley Goodgrove, the plans are being reviewed by district staff "to ensure the application is complete and includes all the necessary supporting documentation and information.”
“Once the application is deemed to be complete by staff, the application would be formally opened and posted on the district’s development tracker, which provides all of the updates on where the application is in the process,” she added.
Mayor Kevin Murdoch explained the development would require changes to the district’s zoning bylaw, in addition to an official community plan amendment, both of which would trigger a public hearing, if council first decides the application has enough merit. Afterwards, the district could opt to decline or approve it, or send it back to the developer for changes.
Oak Bay resident Miriam, who chose not to share her last name, lives in an apartment block across the road from the site of the proposed development, and expressed concerns about the size of the towers.
“I think it’s a bit large for this particular area,” she said, adding that the number of people the buildings would house could negatively affect traffic in the area. “I’d like to see townhouses, things that allow for more people – but this volume is an issue.”
John Konstantinides, another Oak Bay resident, saw drawbacks in the developer’s plans.
“It is a big project, and I guess that would be a concern with the infrastructure,” he said, adding the number of residents the towers would attract could strain district services.
But he noted positives as well – mainly that the hundreds of units would boost Oak Bay's taxation revenue.
“They need money, and Oak Bay’s limited in growth – it's not like Victoria that can build lots of condos,” he said.
Another local, who opted to remain anonymous, explained that, because the towers would stand in front of a golf course, they wouldn't restrict homeowners' views.
Though the woman noted the development could help Oak Bay meet its housing targets, she added it wouldn’t address the need for affordable homes in the district.
“It’s not going to satisfy the needs of people who really need housing,” she said. “If anything went for less than $1 million, I’d be surprised.”
Coun. Cairine Green, who was "taken aback" when she learned about the development, expressed a similar sentiment, claiming it wouldn't offer missing-middle housing or attract young families. But she added the plan wasn't without pros.
“It’s new housing – that’s the positive part of it," she said.
