We need to get
50 Government Right!
Victoria and James Bay NEED AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOUSING, and the community has repeated this to the developer of 50 Government St. multiple times.
The fifth, and rejected by the City, proposal was for 16 Condo units in a 4.5-storey building. Most units are studios or one-bedrooms. This is not family housing. Oeza Developments is seeking special treatment and asking for spot rezoning and exceptions to the Official Community Plan.
City bylaws for this single lot allow for a duplex. Under the new provincial legislation, the 50 Government St. location could accommodate a four-plex. There is currently a viable two-storey rental four-plex on the site and the most environmentally responsible and economically efficient course of action would be to keep it ‘as is’ or renovate it.
The community would welcome a well-designed and appropriately sized building at 50 Government Street, one that provides a mix of affordable housing for families and individuals. But it needs to be aligned with the current city or proposed Provincial zoning, and be respectful of the character of the neighbourhood. There are many alternative designs that would be acceptable to the community, increase density and fit within existing zoning. We need to communicate and collaborate so that at 50 Government we get it right…
50 Government is not the right location for a 4.5-storey building with 16 units, small setbacks and minimal green space.
The developer has put forward four different plans; each iteration shows some changes but none reflect what the neighbourhood and the City need in this location. Building dimensions and density exceed the requirements set out in both the provincial small-scale multi-unit housing policy manual and also those of Victoria’s Missing Middle Housing initiative.
The fifth proposal, showed little change from the previous proposal. The developer claimed to have addressed the concerns raised by the community during the Feb CALUC JBNA meeting, but they have done nothing to address concerns around shadowing, privacy, noise, light pollution, the inappropriateness of external staircases or parking.
The letter from the City Planner to the developer refers to the previous two sets of plans and clarifies that the developers have not responded to the city’s comments and concerns. However, the lates plans, once again, do not respond to issues and concerns raised by the city planners and other professionals.
Get Involved
Write to Mayor and Council. Your emails both now and prior to the public hearing will have an impact.
Sign up for email updates. The “50 Government St – Let’s Get it Right” group send out an occasional email keeping us up-to-date on this development.