Uptown Phase IV
December 2020, MVCCA has received a preliminary design plan and a survey from the management company Shape Properties Corporation to be distributed in the community. They have also set up an information website
which provides updated information and the link to the survey.
Uptown Phase IV - revised development permit application of Zone C3V (2016)
Update to April 2021
We understand this project to be:
- 350 rental units with 30% two bedrooms or larger
- street level, small sized commercial spaces, such as for restaurants with outdoor seating
- Section A: midrise section 12 stories
- Section B: tower 24 stories, rectangular in shape north-south orientation
- Section C: podium - four stories articulation of base
- flexible unit design to facilitate aging in place
- large number of amenity features for residents including: roof top common spaces, secure bike storage,
gym, meeting room, lobby with dog wash and concierge
- feature of public passage, along west side of Whole Foods
- changes to entrance to underground parkade on Ravine Way, to open and lighten entrance
- mechanical equipment within visual screening
- landscaping a continuation of that in Uptown Shopping Center
- design features are consistent with draft Uptown Douglas Plan objectives
- land lift analysis to be completed for bonus density calculation
- Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) – to be announced
As of April 19th, The Uptown website does not yet contain these details.
This is not a rezoning application, so before you complete a survey, I suggest you consider which aspects of the original project are of greatest value to you. For example, the MVCCA recognizes the need for rental housing units that are affordable to the workforce. Given that this will be a landmark building for Saanich, a high-end market building project, is to be expected. We also hope for any sustainability measures that reduce costs to the residents.
The draft Uptown Douglas (UD) plan (at Saanich website) contains policy sections dealing with the permitted height, design and calculation of community amenities for this project. See particularly policies 5.6.6; 5.7.11; and 6.4.4.
What community amenity would you recommend?
MVCCA Amenities ‘Wish List’
Funding toward Saanich owned concert hall, as an upgrade and replacement for the Homer Centre
which will be closing
Tree planting - funding to Parks dep’t for green space improvements in our area
Bethune Park (tiny neighbourhood park) - upgrade – Parks dep’t
Boleskine Rd. see Uptown Douglas Plan section 7.7
Widening and solar lights for CRD trails in immediate area - project in planning stage CRD
Cadillac Ave. (speed of cut through traffic) - traffic calming measures - jurisdiction Saanich
Public washrooms at south end of Uptown mall, locked at night but an amenity for public.
Pat Bay Hwy right turn on to Vernon Ave at Apex building - redesign
This is a dangerous intersection - jurisdiction of MOTI
Overpass or underpass connection planning between Uptown mall and future Uptown Transit exchange
Overpass connection between Uptown and Hansbraun property (at time of the their redevelopment).
Contribution to public enhancement at Uptown Transit exchange at the time of their development
prepared by Carol Hamill 8 April 2021
Uptown Phase Four application history
In 2016, Saanich approved a residential component of the development, comprising 134 rental apartments and townhomes.
Public hearing results
The most important points of the MVCCA presentation to council were, that Saanich has not done enough to solve traffic problems and that high rise buildings should be limited to only the best designs, worthy of a place in the skyline.
The developer has responded to concerns raised, including the issue of affordable housing
see supplemental report from the Director of Planning
News story available at: latest the Saanich News dated 24 Aug 2018
The Uptown development has resulted in various traffic concerns:
Mid-block crossing on Blanshard Street— The new pedestrian crossing light should help to make the
street safer.
December 2020, MVCCA has received a preliminary design plan and a survey from the management company Shape Properties Corporation to be distributed in the community. They have also set up an information website
which provides updated information and the link to the survey.
Uptown Phase IV - revised development permit application of Zone C3V (2016)
Update to April 2021
We understand this project to be:
- 350 rental units with 30% two bedrooms or larger
- street level, small sized commercial spaces, such as for restaurants with outdoor seating
- Section A: midrise section 12 stories
- Section B: tower 24 stories, rectangular in shape north-south orientation
- Section C: podium - four stories articulation of base
- flexible unit design to facilitate aging in place
- large number of amenity features for residents including: roof top common spaces, secure bike storage,
gym, meeting room, lobby with dog wash and concierge
- feature of public passage, along west side of Whole Foods
- changes to entrance to underground parkade on Ravine Way, to open and lighten entrance
- mechanical equipment within visual screening
- landscaping a continuation of that in Uptown Shopping Center
- design features are consistent with draft Uptown Douglas Plan objectives
- land lift analysis to be completed for bonus density calculation
- Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) – to be announced
As of April 19th, The Uptown website does not yet contain these details.
This is not a rezoning application, so before you complete a survey, I suggest you consider which aspects of the original project are of greatest value to you. For example, the MVCCA recognizes the need for rental housing units that are affordable to the workforce. Given that this will be a landmark building for Saanich, a high-end market building project, is to be expected. We also hope for any sustainability measures that reduce costs to the residents.
The draft Uptown Douglas (UD) plan (at Saanich website) contains policy sections dealing with the permitted height, design and calculation of community amenities for this project. See particularly policies 5.6.6; 5.7.11; and 6.4.4.
What community amenity would you recommend?
MVCCA Amenities ‘Wish List’
Funding toward Saanich owned concert hall, as an upgrade and replacement for the Homer Centre
which will be closing
Tree planting - funding to Parks dep’t for green space improvements in our area
Bethune Park (tiny neighbourhood park) - upgrade – Parks dep’t
Boleskine Rd. see Uptown Douglas Plan section 7.7
Widening and solar lights for CRD trails in immediate area - project in planning stage CRD
Cadillac Ave. (speed of cut through traffic) - traffic calming measures - jurisdiction Saanich
Public washrooms at south end of Uptown mall, locked at night but an amenity for public.
Pat Bay Hwy right turn on to Vernon Ave at Apex building - redesign
This is a dangerous intersection - jurisdiction of MOTI
Overpass or underpass connection planning between Uptown mall and future Uptown Transit exchange
Overpass connection between Uptown and Hansbraun property (at time of the their redevelopment).
Contribution to public enhancement at Uptown Transit exchange at the time of their development
prepared by Carol Hamill 8 April 2021
Uptown Phase Four application history
In 2016, Saanich approved a residential component of the development, comprising 134 rental apartments and townhomes.
Public hearing results
The most important points of the MVCCA presentation to council were, that Saanich has not done enough to solve traffic problems and that high rise buildings should be limited to only the best designs, worthy of a place in the skyline.
The developer has responded to concerns raised, including the issue of affordable housing
see supplemental report from the Director of Planning
News story available at: latest the Saanich News dated 24 Aug 2018
The Uptown development has resulted in various traffic concerns:
- Right Turn on Carey—The client, Whole Foods, asked Morguard to ensure that Carey Road would be opened to right turning traffic from Douglas Street and Saanich and MOTI complied. The new access from the Galloping Goose trail to Carey Road will further increase congestion at that corner.
- Ravine Way— The two-way cycle lane on Ravine, along the curb on the north side of the property will not solve the issue of how pedestrians can access the new bus stops and the planned Transit Hub when it is completed. The pedestrian tunnels along Ravine Way, under Carey Road and Blanshard St. have been closed and that section of the Lockside Trail that runs below Ravine Way will see increased foot traffic.
Mid-block crossing on Blanshard Street— The new pedestrian crossing light should help to make the
street safer.