Residents of an Oak Bay neighbourhood aren't ready to roll out the welcome mat for a proposed development.
Victoria-based Marking Developments has applied to build three, three-storey townhomes, with a total of 16 units, on a roughly one-acre lot at 960 Foul Bay Rd.
Currently, a 111-year-old single-family home sits in the middle of the property. Built in 1914 and designed by prolific local architect Samuel Maclure, the building would be moved to the northeast corner of the lot to accommodate the townhomes and converted into eight suites.
While the 24 market-rate units could offer homes to those eager to settle in Oak Bay, members of Save Brighton Greenway (SBG) have peppered the area with signs opposing the development.
Current plans leave room for 34 parking spaces, which would feed onto the Brighton Greenway – a blocks-long, shared-use path that spans both Victoria and Oak Bay neighbourhoods. While nine renters currently occupy the single-family home, the group fears the development could bring a potential surge in traffic.
“Our concerns about safety come from the massive increase in traffic at this complex and other nearby developments being proposed,” said SBG member Alex Armitage, who lives with his wife and two daughters in a home bordering the lot.
The project’s developer, Jennifer Travelbea, explained that her company would work to reduce traffic impacts.
“We can put in things like a stop bar, a yield sign, a mirror to ensure that this is very slow-moving traffic, and that visibility is improved for all,” she said.
Blueprints also leave room for a sidewalk on the greenway, between Foul Bay Road and Amphion Street.
“I would suggest that the implementation of a new sidewalk and separating the pedestrians ... is really an improvement to the greenway and clearly provides increased safety options,” said Travelbea.
The group is also concerned about how the development could impact the greenway's character.
"It's the scale of it that we oppose and that it will change the feeling of the neighbourhood completely to have this wall of building," said Maddie Moncrieff, a nearby resident.
Armitage expressed a similar sentiment.
“Do the citizens of Oak Bay and Victoria want a path that safely meanders through nature and historic neighbourhoods, or do they want an urban alley where endangered Garry oaks have been cut down to make way for 40-foot-tall townhomes that overshadow our streets?” he said in a statement to the Oak Bay News.
Trisha Lees, who heads Marking Developments’ public relations efforts, confirmed most of the property’s trees would have to be cut down to make room for the townhomes. However, Travelbea noted the company could plant Garry oak trees along the greenway, shading the sidewalk it plans to build.
Armitage claimed the developers had informed residents of different plans for the lot, which he and other locals supported. However, after the provincial government imposed housing targets on the district, plans changed, he claimed.
In January, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced the appointment of an independent housing advisor to Oak Bay to "make recommendations to support our shared goal of building homes for people."
This came after the district failed to meet its provincially mandated housing targets last year; though tasked with building 56 units, Oak Bay erected only 16.
Travelbea confirmed several plans have existed for the lot since she and her business partner purchased it in 2016, including one that would have seen the current home moved to make room for four single-family houses.
“The proposal’s taking advantage of the community's need for more housing and then basically ... ignoring what makes the community livable, makes it unique, makes it green, makes it safe,” said Armitage, who called the development "overkill" that's setting a bad precedent for Oak Bay.
While an SBG petition to stop the project has garnered over 100 signatures, not everyone is opposed.
"All for it," wrote one Facebook user in response to a post about the project. "That corner and area needs beautification and (I'm) looking forward to this beautiful design come to life."
"Another decent project for Oak Bay, who are ... behind in their share of CRD regional growth commitments," wrote another user.
Travelbea stressed that the townhomes could boost Oak Bay's housing supply.
"This proposal has many other merits, including a mix of diverse units," she said. "I think this is a great option to help the District of Oak Bay meet the provincially mandated housing targets."
Before Marking Developments can proceed with the project, Oak Bay must approve the company's proposed amendments to the heritage revitalization agreement and official community plan.
An open house and information session will take place at Oak Bay United Church on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. Before the public meeting, the project’s developers will sit down with SBG members.
“Our goal at the open house is to inform community members on the proposal, provide details on our thought process, how we’ve got to where we are, let them know more details about the project,” said Travelbea, who added residents’ comments will be shared with Oak Bay staff and council. “It’s also an opportunity for us to meet with members of the community, gather their feedback and really continue the dialogue with them.”
