The proposed Bayview rezoning which went before Victoria council on Jan. 11, is not in the public interest and threatens the usability of the Railyards natural historic site.
I am not opposed to the previously approved height (20 storeys) and density and looked forward to the Roundhouse development when I moved into the neighbourhood. However, if built as now proposed in the rezoning application, the Bayview development will overwhelm the Vic West community as it is much more massive and denser than surrounding successful developments such as Railyards and Dockside Green which feature townhomes and towers under 16 storeys.
The historic Roundhouse property will be in shadow year-round for most of the day due to a row of 18 to 32-storey towers. The developer’s Winter Solstice diagram shows that no sunlight would reach Turntable Plaza, Vic West Park’s skate park, and the bowling green and most residential buildings on the north side of Esquimalt Road.
The location promised for “affordable housing” is described as a shovel-ready parcel, but Focus Equities will not build the housing. Victoria visitors arriving in the Inner Harbour and the cruise port would see a massive Vancouver Coal Harbour-style wall of towers in stark contrast to Victoria’s tourism promotional material that waxes poetic about historical buildings and green spaces.
This massive development would have a significant impact on an aging infrastructure, the ability of Victoria’s fire department to service 20 to 30-storey buildings, and reduce easy access to Songhees Walkway due to parking elimination.
Rosa Munzer
Victoria
