Email dated March 12, 2020 from S. Samra, Re: Proposed Eagles Nest Development
A Saanich resident expresses concerns regarding traffic management and density resulting from the proposed 250ish new living spaces.
From: Serena Samra Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 11:22 AM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca; council@saanich.ca Subject: Eagles Nest
Hi there,
I'm a resident of Saanich living in Knockan Hill off of Helmcken. I am born and raised in Saanich and moved into the Knockan Hill area 15 years ago.
I understand there is a large development (Eagles Nest) proposed for View Royal at the intersection of Burnside and Helmcken. Are you able to advise what is going to be done to manage traffic? Something that isn't related to waiting until the Mckenzie interchange is complete because between that and the work on Grange/Interurban, the traffic is coming to a standstill. For some reason, this area tends to be the "short cut" and is now becoming the "long cut". Those of us who don't need the highway are having a lot of issues. Knowing the development proposed will add in 250ish new living spaces, this is a big concern. the number of residents will be anywhere from 1-4 people, sometimes more. that is an extra 250-1000 people in a very small area resulting a large density. Plus the retail space.
My children go to Strawberry Vale and I leave work from downtown at 4pm. It take me an hour or more to get to the school and pick up my children from out of school care. My husband does drop off at 7:30am and has had to find an alternative route from the school because Interurban is always down to one lane. I am very aware that it's our choice to live in Saanich and work in downtown Victoria. I don't have much of a say where my office is located. Office moves are focused on finding a space that will work for the organization, which makes sense. A majority of provincial gov offices are in the downtown core, along with a large number of IT companies (the sector I work in). I have tried to change my work hours but it's not feasible because core hours of operation need have coverage.
I am very concerned this is going to be significantly impacted with the new construction taking place and the increased number of residents living in the complex. The new Eagle Creek development is awesome and I do love it. Getting there and back is not easy unless it's first thing in the morning or late at night. Forget a quick trip to Quality Foods after school pick up for dinner items. I'm better off stopping at Tillicum mall on my way home. We get stuck on Helmcken and we're only trying to get to Knockan Drive!
Add in the Prospect Lake Road changes and Erskine Lane development that are on the way, I'm trying to understand how the two municipalities are working together to come up with a plan that will help residents of the areas, independent of which side of the municipal border we live on.
Thank you, Serena