Saanich council has approved the development permit for what would be the district's tallest building, to be built in the Uptown-Douglas area at the corner of Ravine Way and Carey Road next to Whole Foods.
Council voted unanimously to approve the permit on Monday, June 10.
The 24-Storey building with a 12-storey secondary “podium” will add a large residential component to the commercial Uptown zone.
This all fits with the intention behind the Uptown-Douglas plan, which aims to create a ‘downtown’ of sorts for Saanich in an area that essentially sits at the crossroads of southern Vancouver Island.
“We look forward to a transformation occurring that's going to turn this into Saanich’s heart,” Mayor Dean Murdock told Black Press Media on Wednesday. “And I think this project will be a significant cornerstone in that effort.”
It will offer 318 market rental units and six commercial units.
There have been several attempts throughout the years to build a residential building at this site, but those never came to fruition.
Murdock is more hopeful now with new provincial rules in place encouraging development near transit hubs he says should make this more appetizing for both the developer and potential residents.
“This has been a long time in the making,” Murdock said in his remarks to council before the vote. “I am hopeful that the conditions are now right to have a significant number of new residences built in this location.”
Now that the proposed project has cleared council, it can move on to the technical aspects of construction and apply for building permits. Following that, construction can begin.
