A development concept for the 4500 block of West Saanich Road aims to pre-zone district-owned land across from the Royal Oak Shopping Centre.
The main targeted site includes four parcels (2.7 acres) adjacent to Patricia Bay Highway.
As Saanich plans to market the lands for sale or lease, it is preparing to receive proposals from developers and evaluate its options.
In light of this, the Royal Oak Community Association (ROCA) will host a public meeting to discuss the project on April 3. Representatives from Saanich will be present to provide details on the potential development, which could include residential towers and high-density buildings.
“Once when we heard that Saanich was planning to move forward with releasing these lands for development purposes, we took an active role in identifying the importance of this area to the Royal Oak community and [ensuring] that there is a public session to inform our community members of what might be happening in that area,” said association president Roger Graham.
Since the B.C. government introduced requirements for municipalities to build more high-density housing to meet provincial needs, Graham noted that the target area could potentially accommodate multi-storey housing towers.
“That causes some concern, but we also recognize that we have limited influence,” he said. “We have not seen what Saanich might have in mind yet.”
Although it’s still too early to talk facts, Graham is committed to staying on top of development changes and collaborating with Saanich to address topics like land use, parking, transportation, and housing.
“Without any specific indication of what actually might occur on these lands, we need to know more from Saanich, and that's the purpose of ROCA moving forward,” said Graham. “Saanich has been agreeable and very cooperative to participate with us, so they will have representatives at this meeting.”
The meeting will be held at Saanich Community Church (4566 W Saanich Rd.) at 6 p.m. on April 3.
Saanich invites Royal Oak residents to send their input by emailing realestate@saanich.ca through April 30.
To learn more about ROCA, visit royaloakcommunityassociation.ca.
