Uptown Phase IV
December 2020, MVCCA has received a preliminary design plan and a survey form 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.
Re: Uptown Phase 4 - revised development permit application of Zone C3V (2016)
Update January 2021 Project Survey
The December 2020 document provided does not contain a number of details about the project. As I understand it there are several reasons for this.This project is dependent on the implementation of the draft Uptown Douglas (UD) Plan, which has not yet had a Public Hearing. Secondly, Shape Properties can not commit to the 100% rental housing as included in the original project nor provide details of the targeted market.
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, thus our wish is for the highest number of rental units possible and any sustainability measures that reduce rental or leasing costs, are of a high priority.
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? As I understand it, it is anticipated that Planning Dep't will be presenting the supplementary report to Council in early March 2021.
As far as I am aware, the project will consist of three sections (short, medium and tall) with commercial units all around the ground level of the building. The number of units to be approx. 300. The wide sidewalks in the existing development permit will continue, but if setback variances are needed, they have not been determined.
In filling out the survey:
- you may choose to use email or to drop off your survey at the mall office
- you may choose not to give your exact address, just the approx. area of town is good enough
- check the Uptown mall website for up to date information
Thank you for your interest and your engagement in your community.
prepared by Carol Hamill
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 form 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.
Re: Uptown Phase 4 - revised development permit application of Zone C3V (2016)
Update January 2021 Project Survey
The December 2020 document provided does not contain a number of details about the project. As I understand it there are several reasons for this.This project is dependent on the implementation of the draft Uptown Douglas (UD) Plan, which has not yet had a Public Hearing. Secondly, Shape Properties can not commit to the 100% rental housing as included in the original project nor provide details of the targeted market.
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, thus our wish is for the highest number of rental units possible and any sustainability measures that reduce rental or leasing costs, are of a high priority.
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? As I understand it, it is anticipated that Planning Dep't will be presenting the supplementary report to Council in early March 2021.
As far as I am aware, the project will consist of three sections (short, medium and tall) with commercial units all around the ground level of the building. The number of units to be approx. 300. The wide sidewalks in the existing development permit will continue, but if setback variances are needed, they have not been determined.
In filling out the survey:
- you may choose to use email or to drop off your survey at the mall office
- you may choose not to give your exact address, just the approx. area of town is good enough
- check the Uptown mall website for up to date information
Thank you for your interest and your engagement in your community.
prepared by Carol Hamill
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.