Public Hearing

Good evening, everyone.

I'd like to start by acknowledging our neighbors and friends, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, on whose traditional territories we are.

So we're going to start this evening with the public hearing for number 9 Erskine Lane, and it is being convened pursuant to the Local Government Act and is being held under the auspices of Ministerial Order M192 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health officers' orders prohibiting gatherings in excess of 50 people.

The proposed bylaws have been introduced and they have received second reading of council.

Before the bylaw can be legally adopted by council, it must receive two more readings.

Your input via the public hearing process is most important to council in making a decision.

At this public hearing, any person who believes that their infrastructure property is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

However, it is important that all who speak at this meeting restrict their remarks to the matters contained in the bylaw, and it is my responsibility to ensure that all remarks are so restricted.

We will hear presentations from staff tonight and the consultants on behalf of the applicant, and then we will hear during the from the public during comments from the public portion of the agenda.

So the information for you to be able to call in will be on your screen.

You dial 778-402-9227, and when prompted, enter conference ID 911 251 729 pound.

I will then announce the last four digits of your number.

I will ask you to mute the live cast to avoid feedback and ask that you unmute yourself by pressing star six.

To begin with, please indicate your name and address for the record, and you may then give us the benefit of your views.

And we'll allow up to five minutes for each speaker on the first time round.

And if there is a second time round, that would be a maximum of two minutes.

If you are providing comments through the chat feature, that feature is open now for your comments.

Again, we ask that you provide your name and address to begin your comments.

Members of council may, if they so wish, ask questions of you.

However, the main function of council members this evening is to listen to the views of the public.

It is not the function of council at this public hearing to debate the merits of the proposed bylaw with individual citizens.

Like all public hearings, this meeting will be recorded to aid in accuracy of minute taking.

By participating in this webcast, you are consenting to being recorded, and the recording will be available on the town's website for future access.

After the public hearing has concluded, the council may, without further notice, give whatever effect council believes proper to the representations made at this public hearing.

The public is reminded that after this public hearing, council cannot hear any new information until a decision about the application is made.

Thank you.

And now I will turn it over to staff.

Thank you, you were thank you, your worship.

I have a statement of my own here, statement of public hearing.

Uh my name is James Davison.

I'm the community planner here.

Uh the notice that advertised this public hearing was posted on the notice board at the municipal municipal office and on the town website on November 4th, 2020.

The notice was mailed to 847 residents on November 4th, 2020, within a 400-meter radius of the property.

The notice was also advertised in two consecutive issues of the new newspaper, being the Times Colonist on Thursday, November 12th, and Friday, November 13th, 2020.

Thank you.

So I will go through this.

Uh this is a presentation for the rezoning of 9 Erskine Lane.

We have the location here just southwest of the hospital.

The purpose of the report is to present zoning bylaw number 900 2014, amendment bylaw number 1059 to rezone 9 Erskine Lane to a purpose built rental development in a four building, five story, 336 unit development with a combined 1.27 FSR configuration.

So this application came forward to council before.

It changes the proposal from a rezoning to the RM3 zone to a CD zone.

Buildings are a little shorter than previously presented, with all four buildings now proposed at five stories and approximately 15.5 meters tall.

Reduced surface parking and the updated proposed landscaping plan enables the retention of approximately 40% of the current tree canopy, along with the proposal by the applicant to plant approximately 250 additional trees.

Proposal is now for sidewalks on Erskine Lane and Waukis Way, a bus pad or bus pad stop, roundabout at Watkiss Way and Erskine Lane, and widening Erskine Lane to the standard 18-meter right-of-way specified in our bylaw.

Now a two-story underground parking proposal, a 20-year rental housing agreement will be secured in a housing agreement covenant.

A pre-wiring for electric vehicle charging that's level two outlets for all parking spaces will be provided again through the covenant and the provision of four car share cars, one per building, again in the covenant.

There's been discussion around play structure either on site or nearby Game Nature Park.

Game Nature Park is primarily a natural park.

Staff would prefer the play structure be located on the subject property.

It does mean that it would not be accessible to the public, rather only residents and guests.

So there is a unit mix of 16 studio units proposed.

Noting that this mix can change during the development permit process.

Should we need to later on comparing proposed lot A, proposed lot B, combined proposed, and the previous applications proposal.

We also have the zone table here.

Should we be required to refer back to it?

Noting that the floor space ratio for zone A, subzone A, and subzone B has been bumped a little bit to allow for a little bit of wiggle room.

Building heights proposed at 15.5 meters and five stories tall.

The final heights will be calculated and presented at time of form and character development permit.

Two levels of underground parking are proposed.

So the proposed zoning can be supported because it would comply with the policies encouraging the growth of the hospital neighborhood center as a complete community.

So higher density and neighborhood center, promoting walkability, cycling, transit use, and locating residents closer to services and employment.

We've got the hospital there, we've got Eagle Creek Village, and we have a lot of transportation right around there.

Higher density residential uses can increase workforce housing again to support local businesses in the neighborhood center.

So increasing the supply of rental housing can assist with housing affordability in the region.

And community amenity contributions are proposed can be used to fund local improvements to enhance pedestrian safety and neighborhood quality of life.

So building height of materials, these will be finalized at the time of form and character development permit.

We've been supplied with some natural colors and some preliminary design.

Again, the design can change at time of form and character development permit.

As far as transportation impact goes, the transportation impact assessment concludes that it would development would not significantly impact the walkisway, Erskine Lane intersections, current level of service.

The developer will provide a sidewalk along Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way development frontages.

Significant traffic demand management strategies, including car share vehicles, electric bicycle share, as well as the promotion of electric vehicles, will encourage both active modes and sustainable modes of transportation.

The developer is to provide a roundabout intersection of Watkiss Way and Erskine Lane as part of an amenity contribution that will be secured in development covenant.

And the so there was discussion around the hospital trail.

We have confirmed today that the CRD has indicated their support.

They are fine with improvements to the trail, including potential lighting.

Our director of engineering John Rosenberg spoke with them today.

So if uh there are further questions around that, he would be happy to answer, I'm sure.

Two hospital way, the property that the pathway continues through at the moment will have to be approached in order to complete a full stat right-of-way through that through that property to hospital way.

Site servicing, no concerns from an engineering site servicing or traffic perspective over and above what was identified in the technical brief on October 9th, 2019.

Regarding tree protection, the applicant is proposing that 40% of the current tree coverage will be retained.

It's a significant improvement over the previous proposal.

Proposing to replant over 250 trees.

Additional consideration of the tree protection and the detailed design can be made by council at the time of form and character development department.

We have a section here on bird habitat, riparian areas, geotechnical.

No major concerns from those technical studies.

As said before, electrical vehicle charging stations will be provided and will be included in the development covenant.

Although, as discussed previously at CAW staff is proposing that in the future all parking spaces in the town will all new required parking spaces will have electrical plugins, but that bylaw has not been completed yet.

There's a summary of public engagement, should be required to go back to this.

Community amenity contribution is totaled at a cash contribution of just over $1.1 million as per our community amenity contributions policy.

The applicant is offering a 10% affordable housing component, and that is per DC Housing's definition of affordable housing.

Does recommend that a contribution to the Regional Housing Trust Fund be made with some of these funds.

Erskine lane improvements are to be made as per our subdivision and development servicing bylaw, 18-meter right-of-way as illustrated here.

Park improvements have been discussed regarding the position of a playground on site.

The proposal is for the structure to be positioned above underground parking structure.

Really, the location is ideal, and that it is not possible to place trees on that portion of the property.

The detailed design of that again can be discussed at Form and Character Development Permit.

So the applicant has responded to council input from the last application, providing a proposal with less units, lower density, lower height, more underground parking, a revised site layout, and other small refinements.

So in comparison to other recent rezonings immediately adjacent, 7 Erskine Lane is zoned RM3, proposed higher maximum density and similar building height as nine Erskine Lane.

The next steps, third reading of bylaw 900 2014, amendment bylaw number 1059 is scheduled for later this evening.

Should the rezoning be successful, the next steps are the registration of the development agreement, housing agreement covenants, as well as application for the form and character development permit.

The application is consistent with the OCP, it offers a robust community amenity contribution, it meets hospital neighborhood center goals and offers a sustainable approach to development.

Really, if the town desires development which will respond to a climate emergency reform, location, housing typology, and construction standard, this is really the type of proposal which should be welcomed and encouraged in the town of Uroyal.

Thank you.

And staff is supportive of the application.

Thank you, James.

Are there any questions for staff?

Councillor Rogers?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, staff, for the report.

Just a uh uh couple of points.

Um the as I mentioned in I think was the November 3rd when we were last talking about uh this uh site and this development proposal, um, one of the concerns or questions the residents had was uh the uh the imposing building on um on the facing Watkiss Way on top of a three or four meter rock bluff, and the idea would um perhaps take a floor off of that uh building and um move it down to the very bottom next to number seven um that's uh you know being not as imposing um does the bylaw that's before us now uh give us that flexibility um I mean it it hasn't been discussed with with the applicant as far as a viable solution so what is on the table as far as flexibility would be a maximum of 1.5 FSR in on the subzone A lot and a maximum of 1.15 uh FSR on the B lot.

If it was possible to do that and um that was that was that change was made at former character development permits uh that discussion would would be had then um but as it stands um you know the the the applicant can probably speak more to that later um but that would be a rather significant change at this stage as far as um the zoning table would go and it has not been proposed by the applicant.

Okay thank you so well for Scott I the other another question I'm not sure if you or or uh other staff members can uh ask us is what this way orskin lane are they is that a DCCable um portion of V law those roads.

Sorry, I'm having a really hard time hearing that.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I was playing with my mic.

Um so what display, Erskine Lane, are those DC roads.

I can speak to that, Counselor Rogers, through your worship.

It's Director Rosen John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering.

Um, the Watkiss Way portion is uh DCCable road and as such uh does uh qualify.

Thank you.

Any other questions for staff?

Okay, so I'm not sure if the applicant had a presentation or wished to say a few words.

Good evening, your worship and members of council.

My name is Sarah Alexander, and I'm the Director of Development for West Urban Development.

I'm joined here today by Sean Roy, our CEO, and Terry Hoff, our COO.

Slide two.

Our brief presentation will include an overview of the planning and engagement, details of our proposal, the transportation improvements, and a summary of key benefits.

Slide three.

Planning and feedback and engagement.

Slide four.

As you can see, the site context demonstrates that nine Erskine Lane is identified as an area for redevelopment.

The View Royal OCP identifies the property as an area for higher density housing as part of the hospital neighborhood center.

The CRD has identified in the growth node due to its proximity to the Victoria General Hospital, and it is close to amenities such as the Galloping Goose Trail.

Slide five.

Getting to this point has involved collaboration and engagement with the community, council, and West Urban.

It also involves a joint advisory committee.

Slide six.

Throughout this process, we focused on implementing View Royal policies to provide direct community benefits, ensuring a climate-sensitive design, and increased safety in transportation solutions for significant benefits to the hospital neighborhood, future tenants, and the town of View Royal.

Slide seven.

As you can see, there have been many events where we have listened and learned from many discussions with council and the community.

Our previous application was submitted in January, where we held open houses in January, March, and gathered feedback from the community.

We then went to the committee of the whole in March and listened to council's discussions.

Then, due to COVID concerns, we held individual meetings from March to June and created a website that included the changes and updates, updated proposal and preparation for our council meeting in July.

At that time, we listened to council's discussion and learned about reasons why our application was rejected.

Then, after careful consideration of those concerns, we submitted a new application in August.

In September, we heard from a few members of the community and incorporated their concerns.

And then we uh we then went to the joint advisory committee on September 29th, where we heard further support for our new proposal.

We had an open house on October 5th and 6th, and then we went back to joint advisory committee on October 27th, and on November 3rd, we went to council for first and second reading, which brings us to today.

For our first application, where we received very helpful feedback from the community that included the need for intersection, transportation and traffic improvements and street lights, parking for tenants and visitors and on street parking, increased pedestrian safety, the need for a playground and green space buffer, tree impacts in the environment, affordable housing, and considering the inclusion of electric charging stations and electric vehicles, and the need for sidewalks and road widening on Ersten.

Then the feedback we received from Council included the need for intersection, transportation and traffic improvements, changes to underground parking and tree impacts.

This is slide nine.

Reducing density and height, providing affordable housing, including a green space buffer, including electric vehicle charging stations, including car share, considering pedestrian safety, and potential uses for the community amenity contribution.

Slide 10.

At that time, we actually had some positive feedback where council noticed note noted that we addressed all of the items that the community and that they were asking for, and they were surprised at how well we had improved our new proposal.

Then we went to the Joint Advisory Committee.

There were similar conversations held at that time.

Slide 11.

Through September, based on our new proposal, we continued to receive feedback from the TD through our website and through email.

These comments became a bit more positive and shifted to what we could be providing as part of our development, such as the need for transition improvements on Erstin Lane.

Then on October 5th and 6th, we held a two-day long open house where we were on site from 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

both days.

The events included tent that we had set up on site.

We provided the rendering, site plans, had an overview of the project, and also had COVID protocols in place that included masks, sanitizers, and wipes.

We also had some prepackaged cookies and juice and water in case anybody needed any snacks and a sign in sheet.

What we heard was that they generally were impressed with the open house setup and location.

They really liked that we were on site and we brought the open house to their community.

They appreciated being able to walk the site and have the plan explain to them in real time.

Concerns regarding the preservation of trees, options for widening of Erskine Lane and insulation of sidewalks.

Most of their questions were we were able to answer in the moment, which is why we didn't get a lot of written, handwritten feedback.

There's still a desire for transportation improvements to increase safety because there were concerns about traffic speed and the need for sidewalks and lighting.

The townhouses back onto Ursken Lane were asking for some sort of privacy measures.

There were discussions about construction logistics, specifically traffic safety, location of vehicles, and noise.

And then there were still a few comments about trees and density.

Slide 12.

Then on October 27th, the Joint Advisory Committee, sorry, not the Joint, the Parks and Recreation and Environmental Advisory Committee and the Community Development Advisory Committee were held.

After a brief discussion, they recommended that council approve the rezoning application and that the town continue to work with the Capitol Regional District and West Urban to determine the feasibility of a gravel trail across the right of way that's through the property to the Victoria General Hospital.

And then on November 3rd, when we went to council, there was support for the application to move forward to public hearing.

Slide 13.

November, we continue to receive feedback and input on the proposal.

We addressed all of the concerns and did our best to provide a balanced approach to meet the needs of View Royal, the community, and ensure and while also ensuring the economic viability of our project could proceed.

Slide 14.

We feel that our application is a development that intends to preserve this beautiful piece of land and at the same time provide a diversified deed of housing for the growing community of View Royal.

You ask for affordable housing, and we will guarantee 20 years of rental units, and 10% will be affordable to address View Royal's housing needs assessment.

You asked for the community amenities.

We will provide a play structure on site and pay nearly $1.2 million in community menu contributions.

You asked for pedestrian improvements and access.

We will construct sidewalks in Erskine and Watkiss and provide increased safety for pedestrians along the CRD right of way.

And you asked for transjation improvements.

We will construct a roundabout at Watkiss and Erskine and complete road upgrades on Erskine.

You asked for reduced density and height.

We reduced the density from 1.35 to 1.22 FSR and the height down from six stories to five stories.

You asked for privacy and a buffer.

So we shifted and rotated the buildings to create a green space buffer for privacy and protection of the urban forest.

You asked for reduced tree impacts.

We will save 428 trees, plant 250 trees, and develop only 25% of the site.

An urban forest will be created with nearly 700 trees on site.

You asked for electric vehicle potential.

We will ensure the four buildings are fully wired for electric charging stations and provide 28 charging stations.

You asked for revised underground parking.

We consented, and despite this considerable cost to West Urban, we provided two levels of parking under all four buildings.

This decreased surface parking and this decreases surface parking and will save trees and natural habitat.

And you asked for environmental solutions.

We will provide four electric car share vehicles, spike share, and one year of transit passes.

We've also created an urban forest for increased permeability and carbon capture.

All of this has been provided to create an absolutely unique and innovative approach to the potential development of this site.

Slide 15.

As you can see, to ensure that all of these items will be provided, we've agreed to provide housing agreement covenants and development agreement covenants for all these items that we've offered so that they will be part of the application moving forward.

Slide 16.

One item we've also agreed to is for the neighboring property for the townhouses that back onto Earthskin Lane, we've we've provided we've we've agreed to provide privacy hedges that back onto their property, and we're going to figure out the details of that with them.

Slide 17.

So just for a quick recap and to fully appreciate the changes, these diagrams compare our previous application that was submitted earlier on this year to our current application.

So the image on the top shows our previous application where there was much less trees and the buildings were a lot closer to the property line.

We've now switched, we've now moved the trees around so they're more hidden among the trees, and because of the parking layout, more trees will be retained on site.

Slide 19.

This image as well in the top, the top two images show the previous parking structure layout that was one level of parking, which you can see on the right hand side of the page covers most of the site.

Whereas the images down below with the new layout show that the parking structure, because it's two levels of parking, cover much less much less amount of the site.

We only have 25% coverage now, and this allows for more trees to be saved, which show in the uh the image with the trees on the bottom left hand side.

Slide 20.

Um, so as we mentioned, the with sort of a an aerial view, you can see that with the way the buildings have been rotated and the parking structure has been changed, significant trees will also be saved, and we'll be planting 250 trees as well.

Yeah, we'll be planting 250 trees and we're retaining 428 trees.

Slide 21.

As you can see here, the from the comparing the top image to the bottom image, the building heights have been reduced from six stories down to five stories for all four of the buildings, and which reduces the uh the density from 1.35 to 1.22 FSR.

And the building rotation has also enabled a significant green space buffer for neighboring properties for both seven Erskine Lane and 14 Erskine Lane.

Slide 22.

So our application provides quite a few amenities, including 28 electric vehicle charging stations and fully wired electric vehicle wiring for the full building.

As I mentioned, we'll contribute nearly $1.2 million in community amenity contributions.

We will also build a play structure and an accessible discovery nature walk.

Slide 23.

We're going to now discuss the transition solutions that we will be provided as our development moves forward.

Slide 24.

To address the environmental, traffic, and safety concerns, our proposal includes many solutions as we proceed to the development permit, building permit, and occupancy stage.

Specifically, we'll move forward with the construction of a traffic circle, bus stop, and sidewalks at Erskine and Watkins.

There'll be road winding and upgrades on Erskine.

We'll provide bike share, transit passes, car share, and electric vehicle charging stations for tenants, and pedestrian access to the Victoria General Hospital will be provided and ongoing discussions are occurring with the CRD.

Slide 25.

Alignment to the goals and key benefits.

Slide 26.

Purpose built rental has been identified as the most vital need in the View Royal Housing Needs Assessment Report, and our development will provide 336 units that are purpose-built rental units.

Also, from the View Royal website, the purpose of an OCP is meant to give assurances to landowners and developers for areas of welcome change.

This property has been identified in the OCP as an area for increased residential growth and density.

Slide 27.

Our proposal has addressed the concerns of council and the community.

It absolutely aligns with the OCP policies, housing needs assessment, and provides nearly $1.2 million dollars in community menu contributions.

West Urban will provide a play structure, create an urban forest, ensure privacy for neighbors, and safe pedestrian access.

We'll provide car share, bike share, transit passes, and electric vehicle charging stations.

We will also construct the roundabout at Watkiss and Erskine.

All of these items will be registered in Covenant and on titles to give View Royal certainty that they will be provided.

Our proposal supports the implementation of View Royal's policies and provides direct community benefits.

It's a climate-sensitive design and provides transition solutions for increased safety.

From our perspective, there has not been another development like this in View Royal.

This development demonstrates a true integration of the natural environment and great urban design.

Slide 28.

Thank you for your consideration and all of your feedback, and we look forward to the next next steps of the approvals process.

Thank you, Sarah.

Great.

I'll just see if there's any questions from council before we go to the public.

Council?

Councillor Matson?

Thank you for your presentation.

I I did have a tree question, and one of the things staff put in with the 40% retention of trees.

And you mentioned that you're going to be saving 428 trees and replacing 250.

And I'm not sure if that's like two for one replacements, but but I guess my main question is: how many trees are you cutting down?

Um, I can't remember the exact number of trees that are on site, but it's around, I'm just gonna give it for easy math.

It's about a nine hundred and fifty or a thousand trees.

And so we're yeah, and some of them are quite small trees.

This is it's it's every single tree that's been identified.

Um and so uh four hundred and twenty-eight trees were remain, and then the replacement is at a ratio of two to one.

Um for the the trees that are is based on the um the tree um planting, I'm not sure what it's called, the the tree replacement bylaw.

You have to replace the trees that are outside of the building footprint at a ratio of two to one.

So we're gonna replace two hundred and fifty trees.

Um and of those um let's just call it a thousand trees.

Um I think it's eighty-three of them are currently within the the Erskine Lane Road right of way and so they're actually already part of the um they're essentially being taken down just for the road improvements okay that answered my question thank you so just before i come to that if so for the public at home your your chance to join in will be very soon here so the numbers are on the live feed on on the your your screen of the numbers you want to dial in and the the conference ID code.

Councillor rogers, do you have a question?

Oh councillor Kwalowich?

Thank you.

I just wanted a little bit of clarification on the playground or playgrounds.

So I saw today in your presentation that it says you will be building one on site.

And then I also saw that there was some potential for one to be built on game road.

So should this be approved, where did where did we end up uh settling on that topic?

Um maybe I'll take a first step.

So I know we had conversations with the staff at View Royal and we looked at different options for where the play structure could go.

I know there is a d desire to have it um be accessible to all the public, which is why we were looking at the game row property.

The current structure that we have, we've located it on our property in an area where trees will be coming down because of the construction of the buildings.

And so we we wanted to put a play structure the trees really aren't very likely to be growing or we'll have to replant trees anyway.

So we have a tree up sorry we have the play structure on site.

However with our um 1.176 million dollars of community amenity contributions View Royal could use that to um to purchase a play structure and that would be up to View Royal to do that.

Thank you.

I understand.

Councilor Rogers.

Yes, thank you uh in in speaking to that, I I know that quite frankly, I don't think the playground um issue is really resolved, but that's going to be for uh another time if we get past this one.

Um but I do note that um uh as far as the uh uh residents, the petition that went around uh to for Eagle Ridge, sorry, um uh Stone Ridge and um Erskine Lane that they also wanted a playground.

It the and uh it would seem kind of unfortunate if we had to have two playgrounds um uh to serve the community.

Um similarly, um I'm I'm impressed that you folks are have um uh are creating a uh dog uh enclosed dog run.

I think that's very innovative and and certainly serves the needs of uh of the the residents at uh number nine.

I would hope that they uh and I would think that the residents um elsewhere in that neighborhood would uh think that that's a reasonable initiative to also undertake uh in the area.

So I think there's gonna be a lot of uh planning for for those kind of amenities.

Um I do have a question, um, and you know in answer to Councillor Mattson's uh question, there are you know 660 trees that are coming down, um uh of which um 144 were in the road right away, hence the the replacement of 250 trees.

Um one of the things I'm concerned about though is um you've got very significant areas uh of uh tree protection um inside, but I'm not sure, and and maybe uh you or your arborists can give me some assurances that uh the mature fir trees uh along in the border outside um the seven meters, is seven meters sufficient width to be able to um confidently retain mature fir trees, and particularly with the blasting that's gonna happen to uh build the um uh underground parking.

Can you uh give me some information on that?

So the tree retention report was reviewed by our arborist and by our landscape architect, and from their perspective and their expertise, they those were the trees that were retained from their perspective.

I I guess we're just gonna have to um really make sure maybe uh uh we can get an uh another arbist point of view.

My concern is that with the blasting, you changed hydrology and uh the trees that uh are in the perimeter um you know become you know really stressed.

Um and I I so that's uh one thing I'd really want to follow up on in a future time.

The other thing that I've mentioned um is the concern of neighbors on Stone Ridge um looking up on a five-story building that's on a four foot or four meter um bluff.

Um are you planning to uh plant extra trees there's a screening along that side to uh lessen the impact or alternatively move a floor from A to B.

Thoughts so I think Terry can speak to this last time.

Um I'm just interjecting a little bit but Terry can follow up but Terry did speak to this last time the question was asked and did express a willingness to look at plans and see what could be done further down the road in that regard.

So maybe you could just reiterate that Terry.

Yeah, uh thank you, Mayor Screech.

And that is what I said.

And yes, we we agreed that we would uh uh have a look at that um and see if that was uh uh possibly feasible and and we still stand by that.

Um counselor Rogers, just to answer your other question about about uh tree retention, uh blasting technologies have come an unbelievable uh amount in in years.

When we did the blasting on our development on Nursery Hill Drive, the blasting is incredibly precise.

These guys are experts, and the protection of those trees on the border of this property are critical.

I will personally be there when this blasting is happening.

Uh we've heard loud and clear about retention of trees, particularly on the border of this property, and I assure you it'll be our highest priority to protect those trees.

A couple more questions, please.

Thank you.

And thank you for reminding me.

I bet that's helpful.

Thank you.

Um the I'm trying to get a sense of how many um electric vehicle charging stations you're gonna have.

Is it 28 to start, but the whole building will be uh every lot uh will be pre-wired?

Is that my understanding?

Yes, that is a hundred percent correct, uh, Councillor Rogers.

Okay, thank you.

Can you also give me some sense of um your bicycle um storage and how many of the uh the bikes that you are gonna have will have access to electric charging stations?

Uh we're gonna say I don't have the form with me um but we have uh I think we're providing um each area that will have bicycles will have an electric charging like a an e electric an EV an e-bike charging outlet correct so be at least one per building but I can't remember exactly how many areas of bike bicycles we have right now.

I have to grab my my architectural design.

There is significant storage for bicycles including e-bicycles as well and charging uh stations for them.

Yes, that's excellent.

Given the fact that your um the gallery which is right next door, that's um you know very significant.

Um and then one more important question, Rushabondi.

Um I I gotta congratulate you on your efforts for the hospital trial, and because that is was a major um uh amenity uh request of of the neighbors from you know from far and wide.

So and I know it's gonna be a great amenity for you folks, so it is also great news that um uh I'm sure through the help of the mayor that we've got the uh assistance of the CRD Water Department.

Um I am also uh concerned.

Can you help me get understand the stormwater um protection that uh for the nearby uh salmon creek, um, Craigfire Creek, how we're going to mitigate um uh and enhance the environmental standards of the creek with stormwater runoff?

So we would be doing any stormwater runoff that would be um required as part of the uh construction um program that URO would expect us to be doing.

I know we did a uh an assessment of the stormwater runoff on this site, and it's there's no fish bearing water or zones on the site.

Um, but if any any mitigation measure measures that would be required as part of construction would absolutely be incorporated.

I think that would come later in the process at development permit time.

Yeah, definitely.

Yeah.

Thank you.

That's one of the questions I have.

Yep.

Thank you.

So if everyone's good, I think we'll go to the public now.

So once again, the the number is 778-402-9227.

And then it's conference ID 911 251 729 Pound.

And you will hear me call out the last four name four digits of your phone number.

And then you can um give us the benefit of your views and begin with your name and address, please.

And you can have up to five minutes to speak.

So staff, do we have any callers on the line?

Yes, your worship.

Uh currently we do.

Uh we have four callers currently.

The first uh the last four digits of the first caller is six zero four seven.

Six zero four seven.

Thank you.

So caller with the last four digits six zero four seven.

Now is your opportunity.

You don't forget to press star six to unmute yourself.

Are you there?

Caller 6047.

They do look like they are on the line.

Okay, so caller with the last four digits 6047.

You may be muted.

You do need to press star six.

Hello?

Hello, yes.

My name is Glenn Creed.

I'm the property owner at uh five Erskine Lane.

And uh after uh viewing the project, it seems a reasonable uh project for the site.

And um I do like the fact of the uh higher density with affordable housing uh component, and I would just like to say I am in favor of the project.

Okay, well thank you very much for for phoning in.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, the next the next caller, your worship.

Uh last four digits are one, three, two, four.

Okay, so call her with the last four digits one, three, two, four.

This is your opportunity.

Hello.

The last four digits of one, three, two, four.

Hello.

You need to press star six to unmute yourself.

Hello.

Go ahead.

Can you hear me now?

Caller 1324.

Do you need to press?

Can you hear me?

Yep, we can hear you now.

Okay.

Hi.

Hi, my name is Stacey Davies.

I'm currently living in Metchosin, but I am a registered property owner in View Royal.

I just want to say uh thank you for uh accepting my call tonight.

I was uh born and raised in View Royal.

And I did actually reside in View Royal personally for 40 years, and like I said, I do have property over by Helmaken Hospital right now where my mom lives.

And I want to thank West Urban Development for the presentation tonight.

I found it really helpful in understanding the added work that they've gone to for this development.

So I just wanted to say that it's just it seems to be one of the most community and environmentally conscious plans that I've seen for View Royal in a very long while.

It looks like this developer has responded to all the concerns for this from the surrounding neighborhood, as well as uh brought forward uh any from concerns from council.

Um I'm really impressed with the parks and pathways and green spaces and all of the significant amount of um forest that's going to be remaining and um all the features, the underground parking.

It's uh kind of indicates the commitment that this developer has to the community and the ongoing sustainment of Uroyal.

I did uh want to call in tonight because my 24-year-old daughter uh is in her third year of nursing.

And I also work in government and I have uh contact with a great deal of uh young adults from 20 to 35.

And they their biggest concern, uh council members and mayor, is that they all have uh challenges finding residence and rental property in the city of Victoria.

Right now, my daughter uh specifically would love to work at VGH when she graduates.

And her and her partner are starting to think about how are they going to afford living in the community of Uroyal or Saanich or where are they going to live?

And when I saw the uh presentation tonight, I thought this is amazing.

She's here with me and she's watching the presentation.

And um, I think this offers that community of nursing students that are going to graduate in a year, along with many grad you know, upcoming graduates year after year, as well as the current um staff at VGH and R RJH who are looking for housing.

Um the development offers a viable option with this new population of workers and uh as well as the existing hospital staff.

So I think I'm really in support of this.

Um my mother still lives in the community.

We are in the community all the time.

Um the development over on the other side of the hospital it just it it's just really, really well done.

So I just uh I want to thank you for taking the time to hear me out and uh I really hope this goes through and you get past the next stage of the zoning bylaws, and I look forward to seeing this amazing development.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for calling in.

Thank you.

Steph?

Yes, your worship, uh last four digits, two nine two eight.

Thank you.

Caller with the last four digits two nine two eight.

This is your opportunity.

Last four digits two nine two eight.

Hi, good evening, Mayor and Council.

I I don't actually have any comments on this portion of the meeting.

Okay, thank you.

Staff.

Yes, next we have uh five one seven seven.

Next we have the caller with the last four digits five one seven seven.

Last four digits five one seven seven.

This is your opportunity.

Don't forget, press star six to unmute yourself.

Are you there, caller with the last four digits 5177?

Yes, good evening, Mayor.

Can you hear me?

Go ahead.

Yep, go ahead, please.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Gord Adams.

I'm calling in on as one of the owners of Nine Erskine Lane.

I've submitted a letter previous to this time supporting the development and application of Western developments.

And I appreciate the opportunity to speak just to touch on a few uh important points.

This property has been in our family for over 60 years.

We've seen extensive development in the neighborhood since the hospital was built in 1983.

Part of Stone Ridge development was our family's farm.

The townhouses at 14 Erskine Lane replaced a complete forest.

View Royal was incorporated in 1988 and their official community plan was created in 1990.

The official community plan of our property has always been in the redevelopment permit area.

I believe West Urban's application will provide much needed housing opportunities to a variety of Democrats, including young professionals, families, and retirees.

This property will give our elders n elder neighbors opportunities to stay in the community instead of having to leave because of inappropriate housing not being available.

This area has become an urban neighborhood with the development of Eagle Creek Village, and the more housing will help support these businesses.

The project will provide much needed housing to support frontline hospital workers and staff.

West Urban is contributing to View Royal's interesting by providing upgraded utility services, road expansions, at no cost to the municipality.

Additional revenue to View Royal will help support more community amenities, including parks and trails.

West Urban is a community-minded developer who has graciously taken everyone's input into consideration, which has resulted in an exceptional development project.

They have changed setbacks and have created an urban forest of nearly 700 trees.

The list goes on and on.

We understand that change is hard and appreciate that not everyone is going to be happy regardless of what changes are made.

But this property has been in View Royal's official community plan development area for 30 years now.

It's time to move forward.

And we ask Mayor and Council to support this exceptional development.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Staff, are there any other callers on the line?

Looks like I do have one.

Last four digits five, two, three, nine.

Thank you.

Caller with the last four digits of five, two, three, nine.

This is your opportunity to speak to us.

Council, if you can hear me, that's great.

Um my name's John Adams and I uh live in View Royal.

I have uh lived in View Royal uh all my life.

Um I support the uh the proposal West Urban has put forward.

Um it's uh a great opportunity for View Royal to grow as a community, uh providing housing, um stable uh environment for uh future growth for young adults and uh and uh new uh new residents coming into the area.

And uh there's not a lot of area that can uh carry on with uh uh being developed and I strongly support the housing that would uh West Urban has put forward here.

Um I think it's uh uh I believe it's a great uh um opportunity for you know View Royal to grow as a full community.

Thank you.

Thank you for calling in.

Oops.

Are there any more callers?

Uh looks like there are no more callers uh in in the queue, your worship.

Okay, thank you.

Is there anyone on the chat feature?

Yes, we actually do have two comments, uh, Mayor Screech.

Um we have our first comment from Jane Devonshire of 242 Glenarley Drive.

And she has a question actually that says, What size are the trees that will be planted and what species?

Okay.

Um can the developer answer that question?

The question is what size?

So I presume she's she's talking about the trunk diameter um and the species of tree.

I'm presuming the species of trees would off if you were.

So this is the applicant.

This is Sarah.

Um so uh the details with which trees we'll be replacing um are listed in our our landscape plan.

Um so most of our most our most of our landscape landscaping typically includes native plantings.

Um we have uh uh a landscape architect who is who specializes in uh in the BC.

Um she's actually from the area, so she specializes in what what natural and um native species would need to be planted here.

And then um we'll focus on providing the largest trees possible.

I know mature mature trees are much more expensive, but but it's um it's what would need to be planted here.

Okay, thank you.

And we would also go through that in more depth further down the road in the process if if we get absolutely yeah okay, thank you.

Staff, are there any other questions on the chest?

We do have another comment.

This comment was actually submitted um anonymously, and um it says this will look at this and look at that and make such and such a priority when it comes to the questions of trees being protected on the property, is all talk.

Will the developer make a commitment in writing to council and residents on this matter?

What do you say?

I guess would you mind Ms.

Cochrane just repeating that one, please?

Although I think Yeah, go ahead.

Sure.

So the comment is this will look at this and look at that and make such and such a priority when it comes to the questions of trees being protected on the property is all talk.

Will the developer make a commitment in writing to the council and residents on this matter?

Thank you.

And I would I would say in response to that, um, we have provided in writing what our plan is.

It's detailed quite thoroughly in our um in our application that was submitted in I believe August 7th.

And since that point, we've continued to say the same thing that we'll conserve um the 428 trees that we've identified and we're planting 250 trees and that's all detailed in our in our uh our architectural plan thank you okay thank you I gather there's one more caller the the last four digits please correct uh last four digits six zero four one okay caller with the last four digits six zero four one this is your your opportunity if you'd like to press star six to unmute yourself.

Are you there?

Caller with the last four digits six zero four one hi can you hear me?

We can.

Okay, perfect.

Sorry, I'm a little late calling in.

Um I would just like to say I am Jaden Adams.

Um I live in View Royal at 2139 Meadowvale Drive.

Um I'm also a nursing student.

I'm almost finished uh the program and I'm hoping to work at VGH once I graduate.

Um and I am just really in support of this uh development project because I think it's a great opportunity for young people to have uh a place to rent, especially people in uh going into healthcare or current people in healthcare.

Um and it'd just be really convenient to have uh some like affordable housing for rent really close to somewhere that I want to work.

And I know that um a lot of my peers feel the same way, and we want to be moving uh closer to VGH but in somewhere that's affordable for rent.

Uh, because a lot of young people aren't looking to buy right now.

Um, so yeah, I'm just really in support of the development.

Okay, thank you very much for phoning in.

So, staff, are there any more callers?

That seems to be all for callers, uh, your worship.

Okay, thank you.

And is there anyone else on the chat feature?

No mayor speech, there's no more chats.

Okay, so thank you.

So I think we'll close off the public participation portion.

Thank you for those who have called in or sent messages.

And I need a motion to receive the staff report.

Some move.

Okay, thank you.

Second.

Seconded by Councilor Kualowicz.

So moved.

All in favor, opposed, that's carried, and then a motion to receive all the correspondence.

So moved by Councillor Kualowicz, seconded by Councillor Lemon.

All in favor, opposed, that's carried, and then a motion to terminate.

So motion to terminate.

Seconded by Councillor Kowalewich.

Okay, so now we're gonna switch to our council meeting.