Letter from S. Wright, BC Transit Planner

Development Referral Response

August 20, 2020

Development Location: 298 Island Highway
Local Government: Town of View Royal
Transit System: Victoria Regional Transit System

Development Proposal

The rezoning application proposes a mixed use commercial and residential development comprising the following:

• commercial floor area of approximately 1500 m2 (~16,000 s.f.);
• 55 residential units encompassing 16 studio/one-bedroom units, 37 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit;
• In a six-storey building with a height of approximately 20.23 metres

Overall Transit Impact

The proposed site is located directly on a Frequent Transit corridor and is serviced by the following transit routes:

• 14 Vic General/UVic: a Frequent Transit route providing 15 minute or better service from 7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. A bus stop is currently situated for the northbound 14 Vic General adjacent to the subject property’s Helmcken frontage.
• 46 Dockyards/Westhills: a Local Transit – coverage route providing service between HMC Dockyard and Langford’s Westhills Transit Exchange. Service on the 46 is currently provided only during peak hours (6:00 am to 8:30 am and 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm) on weekdays. The draft Esquimalt-View Royal Local Area Transit Plan includes a recommendation to introduce midday and weekend service on this route.

Bus Stops and Stations

• The nearest stop northbound stop (Helmcken at Island Hwy; Stop ID: 101051) is adjacent to the property frontage on Helmcken Road and provides service on the 14 Vic General. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this stop accounted for 21 boardings and 111 alightings on the average weekday (stop level data is based only on actual sampled trips, which is typically less than actual stop activity). The proposed development can be expected to produce an increase in ridership at this stop. BC Transit supports an upgrade to a T3-type shelter at this stop.
• The nearest eastbound stop (Island Hwy at Helmcken; Stop ID: 101050) is opposite the subject property on Helmcken Road and provides service on the 14 UVic via Richmond and 46 Dockyard. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this stop accounted for 116 boardings and 28 alightings on the average weekday (stop level data is based only on actual sampled trips, which is typically less than actual stop activity). The proposed development can be expected to produce an increase in ridership. The current shelter looks suitable for this volume of ridership, but a T4-type shelter may be required should boardings exceed 400 per average weekday.
• The nearest westbound stop (Island Hwy at Helmcken; Stop ID: 101057) is opposite Helmcken Road on the Island Highway and provides service on the 46 Westhills Exch. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this stop accounted for 2.3 boardings and 1.2 alightings on the average weekday (stop level data is based only on actual sampled trips, which is typically less than actual stop activity). The proposed development can be expected to produce an increase in ridership, but is unlikely to warrant any enhanced infrastructure at this time.

Land Use

• The proposed uses are consistent with the Frequent Transit Network (FTN) corridor and support the continued development of the Island Highway and Helmcken as an FTN corridor, which can support growing ridership and, in turn, be supported with increased service levels.
• The submitted plans indicate the presence of landscaped boulevards and sidewalks. A mixed use pedestrian-friendly environment supports transit ridership. Additionally, the presence of pedestrian amenities such as lighting, street furniture, and public art support a vibrant pedestrian realm that will encourage active transportation and higher transit ridership. Attractive pedestrian amenities (such as lighting and street furniture) are encouraged to support a vibrant pedestrian realm.

BC Transit Level of Support

Contingent on consideration of the recommendations noted above, BC Transit supports the proposed development as it is consistent with transit supportive land use and current transit plans.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this proposed development. If you have any questions or would like further comments on this proposal, please contact:

Seth Wright Transit Planner BC Transit