Saanich residents will get a chance to weigh in on a Gordon Head mixed-use project promising 103 new homes at the corner of Gordon Head and Feltham roads.
Council unanimously moved Abstract Developments’ plans for a 70-unit apartment building and 23 townhomes to a public hearing this fall.
Mayor Dean Murdock noted the project was on council’s consent agenda Monday night, which means unless it is removed by a council member it is moved forward without discussion, in order to focus debate and garner public input at the public hearing.
“I suspect we’re going to hear a lot of input on it,” said Murdock, noting there were several residents at Monday night’s meeting that shared their concerns about the size of the project and the impact it would have on the neighbourhood, parking and traffic.
Murdock said the application has a lot going for it, but does not meet all of the conditions of the official community plan, which has triggered the need for a public hearing.
The public hearing will be a chance to air concerns and for the developer to try to assuage fears, he said.
“Are there trade-offs that as part of the design of the building could make it palatable while still delivering on a lot of good that council would want to see?” Murdock said. “That will be the question for a public hearing, and I look forward to hearing from folks about what they’d like to see happen in this case.”
The project features a four-storey apartment building and 23 townhomes spread across six three-storey buildings.
It would also provide $289,920 in community amenity contributions split between the affordable housing fund and pedestrian and cycling improvements.
The 1.7-acre site is mostly clear land, with a single home sitting at the south end.
Nicholas Standeven, vice-president of development for Abstract, said the company was pleased to clear Monday night’s hurdle and believes it can address some of the concerns expressed about the size of the project.
“We’ve heard some messages loud and clear, and we’ll have a greater opportunity to share more project details at the public hearing,” he said.
Standeven said the design of the project should allow it to transition into the existing neighbourhood, while there are transportation alternatives – on-site car share, parking facilities and active transportation upgrades — that could address some of the traffic and parking concerns.
“I think, on balance, the result of our new development will be a really positive change for the neighbourhood,” he said.
As for the concerns raised Monday night, Standeven said it’s a reflection of a community that cares.
“People are really passionate about their community and about the District of Saanich and that gets me fired up — we’re a local home builder, we’ve been working in the community for almost 25 years now and I we really care about the communities that we’re building and the way we’re impacting neighborhoods,” he said.
“We hear those voices loud and clear. But I do think we have a successful track record at providing and building these amazing communities that actually are well loved and an important part of the broader region.”
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