This week's council meeting in Colwood saw one large-scale development get the green light, while another was rejected.
A 15-year development effort failed to secure approvals in its latest form on Bezanton Way near the intersection of Latoria Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Victoria-based Three Point Properties with architectural firm Studio PA submitted plans for a six-storey, 142-unit rental complex at 595 Bezanton Way, a small thoroughfare south of Latoria Road that is also home to Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
Colwood council nixed Three Point's vision unanimously, namely over its size, density and road access for the volume of homes. Former applications, dating back to 2008 through 2021, proposed a mix of condominiums and townhomes, and prior to the most recent application, sought approvals for eight townhomes.
Councillor Cynthia Day said "just putting rental units in our municipality does not solve the problem of finding homes for people," and added the sentiment that nearby residents need to be invested in development proposals in order for council to vote in support of applications.
Councillor Ian Ward, despite voting against the project, commended Three Point for being "respectful of the topography of the site and very much aligned with the demands of the OCP," and referred to Three Point's vision as a "strong proposal."
Meanwhile, council granted approvals for a six-storey, 52-unit condominium with ground floor retail spaces at 3211 Jacklin Road and Sooke Road/Highway 14 along Colwood’s western border with Langford.
Designed by Victoria-based Alan Lowe Architect for proponent Pacific Viking Group Properties, the condominium will be comprised of one and two-bedroom residences along with nearly 6,000 square feet of retail units fronting Highway 14.
In a design move typically not seen among Victoria-area buildings, the parking area will be situated at-grade and on level two, as opposed to an underground parkade. Such a design feature is possible due to the sloped nature of the development site.
Architect Alan Lowe addressed council with remarks on the positives of added density along the Highway 14 corridor, and presented public realm improvement commitment from Pacific Viking that include a cycling slipway northbound onto Highway 14, and a road dedication for future expansion of Highway 14.
An envisioned usage for at least one ground floor retail unit is a cafe or eatery featuring an outdoor patio, Lowe said. Other uses could feature a headquarters for Pacific Viking, or medical offices.
Council voted to support the development, with one councillor casting a dissenting vote.
Colwood’s span of Sooke Road/Highway 14 has seen multiple developments as the busy West Shore route rapidly densifies, with several redevelopment efforts in planning. Active projects include the multi-phased Colwood Corners community on Sooke Road at Goldstream Avenue, and the Elysian Terraces development near Veterans Memorial Parkway. On the Langford side of the Colwood-Langford border, a number of rental blocks have been constructed in recent years, with a six-storey rental complex nearing completion at 2627 Sooke Road, and a sizeable townhome investment in its early construction phase at 2621 Sooke Road.