Opposition to a townhouse project in Saanich
25 townhouses replacing three single-detached houses
Average home prices in Saanich are $1.1 million. A project was proposed to replace three single-detached houses at 3977 Rainbow with 25 townhouses, with an open house in November 2019.
Opposition: letter from the Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association, August 2020. Written comments sent to Saanich city council.
‘Unviable’: Saanich developer won’t slash project’s density in half like residents want. January 2023.
Townhouse project narrowly approved for Swan Lake area, March 2023.
Saanich council voted 5-4 to approve Abstract’s 25-unit townhouse project at the northeast corner of Rainbow Street and Sevenoaks Road. The townhouse complex would replace three single-family homes.
Many residents in the neighbourhood said they support increased density on the site but 25 units is too large.
A story from last week: Swan Lake residents vent frustration over proposed condo project. This is a seven-storey condo building with 104 apartments, again replacing three single-detached houses. Average home prices in Saanich are $1.1 million.
Many who spoke at Monday’s meeting, which lasted more than four and a half hours, were still upset about the size and impact of the townhouse project at the northeast corner of Rainbow Street and Sevenoaks Road.
“The last approved development will negatively impact the area; this development will destroy the community,” said one nearby resident, who asked council to reject the project and force Abstract to return to the drafting table for a redesign, then face a public hearing.
We already have a parking issue on our street Sevenoaks Rd. Add 25 unit complex plus the 104 condo in the neighbourhood would just add another 129 extra cars parking on the street. As we all know most complexes only accommodate 1 parking space per unit. Most families have at least 2 or 3 cars. As well as traffic for the school everyday we will have at least 129 extra cars driving down our street.
We have enough problem with parking snd traffic already. Why Add to the problem
Every neighbourhood inevitably changes over time, as do the people living in them. It isn’t good public policy to semantically abuse change to deny all change. It is good public policy to make that change aesthetically designed and aesthetically timely such that it is not an intrusion but rather a compliment to the neighbourhood.
The townhouses have a large percentage lot coverage; so to me it would seem aesthetic to make the flat roofs green roofs if the economics isn’t destroyed thereby.