Letter dated March 6, 2020 from G. & S. Melanson, 22-15 Helmcken Road, Re: Proposed Eagles Nest Development

RE: ReZoning application by Invictus Development for Helmcken and Burnside Intersection

We are sorry we cannot be at the March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting to participate in discussions on the matter of re-development for this important corner. As a result, we wanted to share our thoughts in writing.

Throughout this process that began in October 2018 we have been concerned about the density of the project. In fact, Council has also indicated concerns about the density of this project and sent Invictus back to the drawing board several times on that very subject. Now Invictus comes again to Council with another iteration that is not a significant change in the density of the development (only 5% reduction). We have participated in the community focus groups and even at those meetings we indicated density concerns. While the footprint of the development has improved that does not equal support for the density of the project. The issue of traffic that results from the 340 parking stalls should alarm Council as this intersection is a challenge without those extra vehicles adding to the numbers. The report from staff indicates that the gateway to View Royal is important. I ask you to envision driving along Helmcken towards View Royal from the Interurban intersection. As you come down the hill by the church and Holland Ave envision the stark transition from agricultural/single family homes to a 5-storey wall of apartments, as the first look at View Royal, not a very appealing transition to View Royal. There are lots of other spots (ie on Erskine at Watkiss) where such a building would fit with the ambience of the neighbourhood but at this corner, we need a softer transition. A community needs a variety of housing. This area of View Royal has had 3 new apartment buildings built in the last 5 years within a kilometer of this site with very little variation in types of dwellings added. Not everyone wants to live in an apartment.

We are aware that Invictus has tried to drum up signatures in favour of their development proposal. However, the way in which that support, and the origins of that support, were solicited are suspect. They put a petition on the Victoria Island Pickleball Association website suggesting they would put a number of pickleball courts into Centennial Park as their amenity. No where on that petition or website was there a single bit of information on the development but the petition is worded so that anyone, from anywhere Victoria, Saanich, etc is signing their support of the development. Please see this for what it is; an attempt to solicit, without proper transparency, signatures for the benefit of Invictus. Make no mistake Invictus from the beginning has indicated their purpose is to make the most money possible and they continue to act with that motivation not what is best for our community. Thank you for your time to consider these matters.

Sincerely,

Gary and Sue Melanson