Developer pitches 33-storey residential towers for Colwood Corners

Type(s)
In The News
Source
Goldstream News

Colwood could see some of the tallest buildings in the region if developer Onni Group gets its way.

The company has submitted a rezoning application to the city to allow for two 33-storey residential towers at its Colwood Corners development on Sooke Road.

According to the city, the application is currently being reviewed but has not been scheduled for a council meeting where debate and a vote on whether to approve it would take place.

Plans for the towers published on the city’s website indicate they will be entirely residential, with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units and no commercial space. Planned amenities include a gym, fitness area, kids’ play structure, outdoor pool, and sports court.

Seven levels of underground parking are included in the renderings.

The developer has already built a five-storey residential building with commercial space on the ground floor anchored by Save-On-Foods, and these proposed towers will be part of phase two of the project.

In the city news release announcing the rezoning application, the city said it is working with landowners in the area to create a Gateway Vision for the town centre, which sits between Sooke Road, Wale Road and Goldstream Avenue.

The goal is to create a plan which will guide development of a “vibrant, walkable town centre area with a planning horizon of 30 to 50 years,” which may include or impact Onni’s proposal. This vision is set to be presented to council sometime this spring.

Further along Sooke Road, council advanced a separate rezoning application at its May 8 regular meeting for five lots at 2054 through 2076 Sooke Rd.

If it receives final approval from council at a later meeting, the zoning for the properties would change from residential to transit growth area, and would allow the applicant to build two six-storey apartment buildings with 150 units in total.

The area is designated as an area of intended growth in the city’s Official Community Plan where density is aimed at promoting transit use and active transportation, as well as increasing housing options.