Much of Victoria’s charm and character stems from its unique and well-preserved historic buildings.
Sadly, our city’s historic character is under assault. A rezoning proposal currently before city council for the E&N Roundhouse in the Victoria West neighbourhood envisions nine towers at heights ranging from 10 to 32 storeys. The scale and height of these massive towers threaten to overwhelm the modest scale of the nationally significant E&N Roundhouse, its associated industrial heritage structures, and the Vic West neighbourhood. The original master plan for this site does contain some exciting ideas to rejuvenate these heritage structures through adaptive reuse, and we support these concepts. However, the current application far exceeds what is appropriate for conservation and redevelopment of a relatively small parcel of land.
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Further, the new proposal does not comply with either the Official Community Plan or the Vic West Neighbourhood Plan. Despite the lack of compliance with these plans, most city councillors seem inclined to advance this proposal at the enormous density proposed. Planning staff have stated “The proposed density, which is more than double the currently approved 2.0:1 FSR (Floor Space Ratio), represents a significant amount of new building mass which is challenging to fit on the site in a comfortable manner.”
We need to remember that this site has been recognized as being of national historic significance as, according to the description from Parks Canada: This imposing brick roundhouse is a particularly fine example of an industrial structure associated with the steam railway era in Canada. Planning staff have identified the threat in their report as follows: Concerns exist around the scale of the tall towers and large podiums adjacent to the heritage structures, which may feel out of scale with the one-storey historic buildings and could detract and overwhelm the historic site.
This rezoning proposal clearly threatens the commemorative integrity of this site of national heritage significance. A 29-storey tower and a 10-storey tower adjacent to a one-storey historic building completely overpowers the modest scale and character of this historic place. We certainly recognize the need for additional housing, and we do support the scaled-down version of this project.
In addition, we note that Victoria does already have several new developments built at a modest scale in keeping with historic character, including the Selkirk Waterfront, Dockside Green, Capital Park and The Railyards. There are numerous underdeveloped sites such as the parking lots along north Douglas Street which could accommodate more housing for Victoria. Visitors from around the world come to Victoria due to its historic charm and character, and its modest scale. It may not last much longer. Perhaps the visitors won’t either.
We urge city council to reject this massive redevelopment which is not in keeping with the modest scale and historic character of Victoria.
Steve Barber
On behalf of 18 current and former civic officials
