Attachment 3 - Architectural Plans - Abele Architecture

3.2 Improve Housing Affordability

Maintaining a broad range of affordable housing types and forms is necessary for individual quality of life, community health, and economic competitiveness. Central to affordability is the provision of housing along a broad spectrum that acknowledges different market and non-market tenures, ranging from shelters to social housing, assisted and market rental to home ownership.

Growth management may have mixed results for housing affordability. In urban areas, increased residential densities and an expanded stock of attached housing may enhance affordability by expanding choice and by reducing the need to rely on travel by car to reach services. In rural areas, mobile homes, secondary suites and detached accessory suites may provide more affordable housing.

Growth management measures could have the effect of limiting the supply of new lands for the urban housing market, thereby putting upward pressure on housing prices, particularly for single detached homes. The provision of affordable housing to accommodate the anticipated population increase is the responsibility of many stakeholders including the Capital Regional District, local and senior levels of government, industry and the not-for profit sector.

The Capital Region Housing Corporation will continue to provide affordable housing to meet the needs associated with anticipated population growth, recognizing that implementation relies on funding and partnerships with other stakeholders. In addition to the provision of affordable housing, the Regional Housing Affordability Strategy has been developed to support all residents of the Capital Region – especially low and moderate-income households, the elderly, youth, those with special health and other needs, and the homeless – to have reasonable choice of housing by type, tenure, price and location. Five approaches to housing affordability underlie the Regional Housing Affordability Strategy.

Approaches to Housing Affordability

I. Work across the housing spectrum when identifying the current and anticipated future issues concerning market and non-market housing affordability for no, low and middle income and special needs households; II. Analyze the extent of present issues and forecast future problems; III. Focus on developing practical policies, and gaining commitments to action to address identified needs and problems in the short, medium and long term across the Capital Region; IV. Involve the broader community in the development of the strategy and its recommended solutions; and, V. Act as a catalyst for activities to improve housing affordability in the Capital Region.

Policies

1. Provide for an adequate, accessible and diverse supply of affordable housing across the housing spectrum.

4. Transportation

4.1 Improve Multi-Modal Connectivity and Mobility

The Regional Growth Strategy supports the development of a balanced and sustainable transportation system providing residents with reasonable and affordable transportation choices that enhance overall regional quality of life. Increasing congestion and travel delays and desires for a more effective, connected, sustainable and multi-modal transportation system are of central concern to regional residents. The majority of transportation movements in the region cross municipal boundaries. Although some transportation issues can be addressed at the local level, resolution of most transportation challenges will require collaborative, multi-jurisdictional, region-wide action.

To improve multi-modal connectivity and mobility, the Regional Growth Strategy relies on two related initiatives. First, the coordination of land use and transportation so that the majority of regional residents do not have to rely solely on travel by automobile to meet their daily needs. The Regional Growth Strategy’s aim to keep urban settlement compact and build complete communities (Objectives 1.1 and 3.1) will tend to increase average urban densities and put people and their activities (homes, jobs, services) closer together. Creating communities where housing is close to activities will enhance opportunities for using walking, cycling, and public transit to meet daily needs.

Secondly, transportation choice will be enhanced with the planning, development and implementation of the Regional Multi-Modal Network identified in the Regional Transportation Plan. The Regional Transportation Plan provides actions and outcomes to develop an effective inter-municipal arterial road network that provides travel choices and supports smart growth and livable, complete communities. Implementing the Regional Multi-Modal Network is the responsibility of many actors, including the Capital Regional District, local and senior levels of government and BC Transit. Seven principles guide the Regional Transportation Plan and support the multi-modal and connected approach to transportation across the region.

Principles

I. Take a coordinated and engaged approach to transportation and land use planning; II. Prioritize strategic investments that serve regional mobility needs; III. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change; IV. Integrate transportation and land use planning; V. Capitalize on the potential for alternatives to driving alone; VI. Enhance the role for public transit; and, VII. Maximize efficiency of existing transportation corridors for multiple modes.

Policies

1. Implement the Regional Transportation Plan in accordance with the principles outlined in Objective 4.1.
2. Locate growth and major trip-generating uses where such can be efficiently serviced by transit and active transportation.
3. Prioritize transit and active modes in community planning and in the design and implementation of infrastructure, facilities and programs.
4. Advocate for improved public transit to major employment centres, complete communities and transportation hubs in the region.

5. Economic Development

5.1 Realize the Region’s Economic Potential

For residents of the Capital Region, economic prosperity is a foundation of high regional quality of life. Economic sustainability means the production and distribution of wealth to meet present and future generations’ needs for goods and services in ways that ensure the long–term promotion of a satisfying and high quality of life for all residents. A sustainable economy is one that exhibits diverse and viable economic opportunities and is resilient and responsive to changing circumstances. Further characteristics of a sustainable economy are the involvement of a broad range of parties and interests in economic decision–making and contribution to the achievement of environmental and social sustainability.

The Capital Region already has a highly diversified economy. Current strengths include the internationally significant tourism industry, agri-tourism, colleges and universities, provincial capital services and functions, major national defense headquarters and facilities, a growing high technology sector, health services, small business, environmental consulting, retirement services, the film industry and a natural environment and livable communities that attract others to live here. These advantages notwithstanding, significant regional growth management and quality of life considerations remain un-addressed.

Economic Development Considerations

I. Finding ways to achieve a minimum jobs/population ratio of: i. 0.60 in the Core Area ii. 0.53 in the Saanich Peninsula iii. 0.36 in the West Shore; II. Finding ways to work collaboratively on regional economic development considerations, including cooperation with First Nations; III. Finding ways to expand and diversify the economy of formerly resource–dependent communities in Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, such as through low-impact recreation and tourism; IV. Finding ways to ensure the long term, affordable supply of strategic economic resources such as water, aggregate and energy; V. Finding ways to increase economic activity in forestry and agriculture including high–value and specialized agriculture and value-added forestry; VI. Finding ways to address the shortage of designated space–extensive industrial/business land in the region in locations consistent with overall goals regarding community completeness, transportation balance, and a network of major centres within an urban containment boundary; VII. Finding ways to enhance established employment centres; VIII. Finding ways to integrate high–value, clean industry and business in complete communities; IX. Finding ways to attract, develop and maintain a highly skilled workforce; and, X. Finding ways to reduce poverty in the Capital Region.

Policies

1. Collaboratively build on the region’s economic, environmental and quality of life advantages to position the region as a highly desirable location for investing in existing and new businesses, working to address the economic development considerations identified in Objective 5.1.
2. Provide for land development patterns that maintain an adequate supply of employment land, industrial land, transportation infrastructure and services to support a diverse regional economy.
3. Prioritize the attraction of new businesses and investment that will support climate action, while supporting the retention and growth of existing businesses and economic activities in the region.
4. Ensure the long–term protection of Renewable Resource Lands depicted on Maps 3(a) and 4. This could include policies aimed at buffering and land use transition between Renewable Resource Lands and settled areas (i.e., lands within the Rural/Rural Residential Land Use Policy Area as well as the Urban Containment Policy Area), and policies that support farming within the Agricultural Land Reserve, and forestry, silviculture, forestry-related industrial uses and low-impact tourism within the Private Managed Forest Land and Crown and other forest lands.

6. Food Systems

6.1 Foster a Resilient Food and Agriculture System

Food and agriculture are part of a food system which includes planting, irrigation, harvesting, processing, distribution, preparation and marketing and consumption, in addition to food waste management and soil betterments.

A viable and resilient local food and agriculture system is important to the Capital Regional District’s health, sustainability, security and visual/cultural identity.

Changes in climate, energy costs and water availability will impact agricultural production and will draw greater attention to regional food system resiliency.

The widespread impact of food and agriculture and the nature of the challenges likely to be faced in coming years make food and agriculture a matter of regional interest. Challenges include loss of farmland, lack of farm profitability and financial sustainability, increasing average age of farmers, increasing food prices, limited (72 hour) supply of fresh food in an emergency, food wastage, need to revitalize indigenous food systems, lack of knowledge of how to grow and prepare healthy food, increasing rates of food insecure people and increasing rates of diet-related chronic disease. Regional alignment will strengthen the food and agricultural sector.

The Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy recommends actions to create a viable, healthy and resilient food system. Regional Growth Strategy policies are intended to work in tandem with the Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy to guide future decisions.

Achieving a healthy, viable and resilient local food and agriculture system will require adherence to the following related principles:

Principles

I. Support First Nations food interests and rights; II. Protect and enhance the region’s food and farmlands; III. Avoid urban/agricultural land use conflict; mitigate where avoidance is not possible; IV. Enhance local food security; V. Expand food system economic opportunities; VI. Encourage food system education and agri-tourism; and, VII. Foster resiliency in the face of an unpredictable climate, increased pest resistance, and declining, increasingly expensive water and energy supplies.

Policies

1. Implement initiatives in accordance with the principles outlined in Objective 6.1, based on voluntary participation of local governments in any new services.
2. Enable food production, processing and distribution that will foster a place-based food economy that increases local food security.
3. Support food waste management that is environmentally sustainable, benefits the regional economy and improves residents’ connections to rural and agricultural landscapes.
4. Monitor the status of agricultural land, including the amount of actively farmed land, with the objective of promoting agricultural viability and food production.

7. Climate Action

7.1 Significantly Reduce Community-Based Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Regional Growth Strategy supports the reduction of community-based greenhouse gas emissions to address the effects of a changing climate. In the Capital Region, community greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation system, the heating, cooling and energizing of buildings, waste, energy production, the production of goods and agriculture³.

The Capital Regional District and local governments have long-standing commitments to make decisions, target investments and build capacity for reducing the use of fossil fuels and expanding the clean energy economy. Further, the Regional Growth Strategy’s aim to keep urban settlement compact, protect, conserve and manage ecosystem health, build safe and complete communities, increase transportation choice, strengthen the regional economy and foster a resilient regional food and agriculture system will support the low-carbon built form that is the foundation for reducing energy demand.

Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions requires action on many fronts and is the responsibility of many actors including the Capital Regional District, local and senior levels of government, industry, institutions, businesses and residents. It requires coordinated, consistently applied action focusing on people, land use, transportation, infrastructure and technology. Achieving community greenhouse gas reduction targets means following six related principles.

Principles

I. Create a low-carbon built form to reduce energy demand; II. Increase energy efficiency and recovery from retrofits and new development; III. Promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable, clean energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels; IV. Protect and assess the carbon sequestration and ecosystem values of natural systems, including forested lands, agricultural lands and wetlands; V. Be resilient to climate change impacts, including climate-related natural hazards; and, VI. Promote adaptation principles of managed retreat, avoid, accommodate and protect.

---

³ Source: Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI). Province of BC.

Policies

1. Prioritize investment that will provide for a low-carbon built form that supports efficient energy use, the provision of clean and renewable district energy, active transportation modes, transit service, and low/zero emissions vehicles.
2. Design, manage, fund and operate programs, services and infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate and adapt to climate change in keeping with the principles outlined in Objective 7.1.
3. Strategically acquire protected areas that contribute to climate change mitigation.

Implementation Measures

The Capital Regional District Board, working in partnership with local municipalities, the Province, the Federal Government and others, will undertake the following implementation measures to realize the vision, objectives and policies of the Regional Growth Strategy:

• I-1(a) Maintain a collaborative regional strategic planning program directed to work towards achievement of the long term objectives of the Regional Growth Strategy.
• I-1(b) At least once every five years, consider whether the Regional Growth Strategy should be reviewed for possible revision and amendment.
• I-2(a) Monitor, evaluate and annually report on trends and progress towards achievement of Regional Growth Strategy vision and objectives.
• 1-2(b) Ensure that actions are appropriate to achieve integration between the objectives and targets.
• I-3(a) Prepare a Climate Action Strategy to support the implementation of community-based greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.
• I-3(b) Support local governments and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area through regional capacity building, education and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• I-4(a) Work to reach agreement with local municipalities on Regional Context Statements within two years of the adoption of the Regional Growth Strategy. Regional Context Statements, adopted within the applicable Official Community Plan, set out how each municipality will address Regional Growth Strategy objectives and policies.
• I-4(b) Adopt Official Community Plans in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area that are consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy. The Official Community Plans will identify how they are consistent with the objectives and policies of the Regional Growth Strategy.
• I-5 Establish a mechanism to ensure that the vision, goals and objectives of the Regional Growth Strategy cascade to Capital Regional District plans, bylaws, services, funding applications and spending.
• I-6 Coordinate the review and update of regional planning documents to inform future updates to the Regional Growth Strategy and guide CRD action on housing, transportation, regional district services, parks and natural areas and economic development. Documents may include, but are not limited to:
  • Housing Affordability Strategy⁴
  • Regional Transportation Plan
  • Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan
  • Liquid Waste Management Plan
  • Integrated Watershed Management Plan
  • Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan
  • Regional Parks Strategic Plan
  • Food and Agriculture Strategy
  • Climate Action Strategy
  • Population, Dwelling Unit and Employment Projections⁵
• I-7 Implement the Regional Growth Strategy without prejudice to any aboriginal rights or title that may currently exist, or be defined further through treaty or other processes. The Board will do this with the full recognition that Capital Region First Nations have asserted within their traditional territories, aboriginal rights and title and treaty rights currently undergoing formal definition through the modern treaty and other processes. The Board recognizes that First Nations Councils are neighbouring governments in the Capital Region, with a shared interest in managing long term development to enhance regional quality of life.
• I-8 Coordinate with the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Islands Trust to ensure that long term planning and development policies and initiatives in those jurisdictions are compatible with the vision and objectives of the Capital Region’s Regional Growth Strategy.
• I-9 The Capital Regional District will work with the Province, agencies such as the Vancouver Island Health Authority and BC Transit, and the federal government to coordinate implementation of the Regional Growth Strategy while respecting the authority of each jurisdiction.

---

⁴ At the time of writing, the Housing Affordability Strategy is under development. ⁵ Population, dwelling unit and employment projections presented in Table 1 based on the 2011 Census data will be updated using the most recent census data at the time of the first update to the 2018 Regional Growth Strategy.

TABLE 2: 2038 TARGETS BY PRIORITY AREA AND OBJECTIVE

⁶ Numeric targets will be identified in an updated Regional Housing Affordability Strategy. At the time of writing, the targets in the approved Regional Housing Affordability Strategy are inconsistent with the legislated timeline of the Regional Growth Strategy.

Appendix A: Community Profiles

Spanning coastal, forest and agricultural landscapes, communities in the capital region range from seaside towns to rural farms, to suburban and downtown neighbourhoods. This diversity is our strength. Residents can access a variety of lifestyles thanks to the commitments of municipalities and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area to protect and perpetuate our natural environments and to foster shared regional amenities and resources. This is made possible by our communities working together as a region, creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Regional Growth Strategy champions a collaborative approach to realizing our vision and objectives. It supports decision-making that takes a regional perspective while valuing the community characteristics of the 13 local municipalities and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

Community profiles/vision statements are described below.

Central Saanich

The community of Central Saanich, including the Tsartlip and Tsawout First Nations, spans the centre of the Peninsula. The municipality includes the greatest concentration of agricultural production in the region, along with light industrial land, residential areas with rural and suburban character, and compact village centres. In order to maintain rural character and protect the function of natural ecosystems, slow and managed growth is accepted within defined urban settlement areas and outside of rural and agricultural lands. The intensification of high quality knowledge-based and light industrial business and industrial growth is encouraged in the Keating Industrial Area.

Colwood

Colwood will become a more urban community while retaining its exceptional heritage resources and natural areas. Colwood Corners is transformed into an attractive, welcoming town centre. Royal Bay, Olympic View and Colwood Corners have expanded as complete communities. Hatley Park Estate is the home of Royal Roads University and features extensive public open space.

Esquimalt

Esquimalt’s high quality parks and recreation facilities along with its walkability are valuable community assets. Through infrastructure investment and redevelopment, Esquimalt Road will transition into a vibrant, urban environment. It is Esquimalt’s intention to strengthen its commercial/retail sector to service the expanding needs of the community and to market our central location to businesses and high-tech industries. The Esquimalt graving dock and CFB/BFC Esquimalt are an important contributor to the regional economy.

Highlands

The Highlands will continue to preserve large areas of natural green space protecting elements of the regional ecosystem and providing outdoor recreational opportunities for CRD residents and visitors. Lands retained in a natural state preserve diversity of plant and animal life. Development remains primarily residential on rural acreages or large lots, with no role as an area for urban development.

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

The Juan de Fuca Electoral Area comprises approximately 151,189 hectares or about 61% of the CRD land area. It contains significant provincial, regional and locally controlled parks and trail systems, ecological reserves and the CRD Water Supply area. The Rural Resource Lands comprise approximately 132,000 ha or 83% of land in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area and is primarily Crown Forest or Private Managed Forest Land. These lands are preserved for renewable resource working landscapes, and provide for natural green space and outdoor recreational and eco-tourism opportunities for residents and visitors to the Capital Region. Port Renfrew, a tourism and forestry based community provides for small-lot tourism-oriented urban development. Five small community areas, East Sooke, Otter Point, Malahat, Shirley/Jordan River and Willis Point maintain the rural character while providing rural residential choices.

Langford

The City of Langford has a cohesive town centre with pedestrian areas, commercial districts, and convenient vehicle access, providing a central community focus and an enhanced regional role. An open space system made up of treed areas, lakes and streams links and defines neighbourhoods.

Metchosin

Metchosin is a community of rural character with a choice of rural lifestyles. The vibrant and locally-supported agricultural industry continues to thrive and diversify with a range of products and organic crops. Our natural areas, shorelines, sensitive ecosystems and biodiversity are valued, preserved and protected. There is an expanded system of local and regional parks and natural open spaces linked with multi-use trails, along with improved access to shoreline areas, allowing increased recreational opportunities and fostering active healthy lifestyles. Metchosin village continues to be the community hub and primary commercial centre for local businesses and retailers, with some limited room for expansion. Metchosin’s rural character is an integral component of, and valued contributor to the broader complete regional community.

North Saanich

Situated at the northerly tip of the Saanich Peninsula approximately 27 kilometres north of downtown Victoria, the District of North Saanich is a collection of coastal focused neighbourhoods which surround agricultural lands. The community’s long term development plans are based on the desire of residents to retain rural character and safeguard environmental qualities. The District’s policies reflect a strong commitment to preserve the agricultural land base and agricultural activities in the municipality.

Oak Bay

Oak Bay continues to be a green, landscaped, quiet residential community with a mix of housing types and neighbourhood commercial centres with a special emphasis on heritage preservation. Oak Bay village is a strong shopping area and the historical, cultural, community and business core of the municipality. Public access to waterfront amenities including clean safe beaches is maximized.

Saanich

Environmental integrity is paramount to ensuring social wellbeing and economic vibrancy. Saanich remains a series of community focused neighbourhoods, within an urban containment boundary that clearly separates the urban area from the rural portion of the municipality. This growth framework is based on principles of sustainability and livability. Rural Saanich forms part of the peninsula farm lands. Population increases are managed within the context of the local area planning process, where land use, density and development policies direct growth to “Centres” and “Villages” to build complete communities that encourage diversity of lifestyle, housing, economic and cultural opportunities.

Sidney

Sidney remains the commercial centre for the north Peninsula and the economic competitiveness of Sidney is maintained and enhanced. Commercial/industrial lands are available and there are growing knowledge-based industries. Orientation between the town and the ocean is strong, including enhanced ocean–side amenities.

Sooke

Sooke, located on the Sooke Harbour and Basin, will become a complete, vibrant community with a mix of businesses, affordable housing, services and public open spaces. The highest population densities and commercial growth occur in the Town Centre, serving the growing population base and the surrounding coastal communities. Residential growth will continue within the designated Community Growth Area. Large parcel sizes will maintain the rural ambiance, and limit the development outside the town’s core.

Victoria

Victoria is an urban sustainability leader inspiring innovation, pride and progress towards greater ecological integrity, livability, economic vitality, and community resiliency confronting the changes facing society and the planet today and for generations to come, while building on Victoria's strengths as a harbour-centred, historic, capital city that provides exceptional quality of life through a beautiful natural setting, walkable neighbourhoods of unique character, and a thriving Downtown that is the heart of the region.

View Royal

View Royal will have a series of economic centres providing expanded retail, professional financial and convenience services. Single family detached housing will remain the predominant housing form with some provision made for other types of housing. A network of foot and cycle paths will provide neighbourhoods with access to shopping, recreation and natural open space. Natural amenities associated with shorelines, streams, estuaries, hillsides and forested areas will be protected.

Appendix B: Framework for Our Future Guiding Principles

On July 15, 1998 the Capital Regional District Board resolved to adopt the Framework for Our Future Agreement to guide the development of a regional growth strategy for the Capital Region. The Framework Agreement provided general guiding principles for the preparation of the Regional Growth Strategy. Twenty years later, in 2018, this framework endures as the foundation of the Regional Growth Strategy.

1. The Capital Region’s Growth Management Strategy is based on four fundamental principles:

Sustainability: actions to meet our needs today do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs, and ensure the ongoing healthy functioning of the natural systems that sustain life.

Appropriateness: actions are appropriate to the aspirations and local conditions of the Capital Region, and do not simply reflect the uncritical application of ideas developed for other places and situations.

Continuity: the strategy will build on work that has already been undertaken by the Capital Regional District and its member municipalities, and will consider the thoughts and ideas contributed by individual residents and community associations.

Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination: the Capital Regional District, local municipalities, provincial ministries and agencies, and regional residents will work together to develop and implement the strategy. First Nations, the Islands Trust, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are neighbouring governments and will be invited to participate.

2. In addition, the development and evaluation of alternative solutions will pay due regard to the following 14 provincial goals set out in the Local Government Act: a. Avoid urban sprawl; b. Minimize automobile use and encourage walking, cycling and efficient public transit; c. Move goods and people efficiently, making effective use of transportation and utility corridors; d. Protect environmentally sensitive areas; e. Maintain a secure and productive resource base, including the agricultural land reserve;