OCP Review Feedback - Neighbourhood Comments

April 1, 2025Pages 120–1316 sections

A collection of public feedback comments from the Official Community Plan survey, categorized by neighborhood including Harbour, Helmcken, and Island Highway.

1 CALL TO ORDER- Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Neighborhoods: Harbour, Helmcken, Island HighwayThemes: Housing density, traffic safety, parks, and environmental preservation

Neighbourhood	Question	Comment No.	Comment
Harbour	Enhance	136	Add nice washrooms with running water and plant trees to block the new building being constructed. Stop using dyed bark mulches and instead use undyed mulches.
Harbour	Enhance	142	These properties along Island Highway could support more housing, as long as there is good transit service as well. Also - this area is a bit of a 'food desert' with not good access to grocery stores.
Harbour	Enhance	143	Don't allow commercial development here please.
Harbour	Enhance	144	Portage park offers good access to the ocean.
Harbour	Enhance	149	All public areas should be enhanced to allow for more use. Including increased seating, accessibility features, etc.
Harbour	Enhance	152	Add quality waterfront access and parks somewhere along the waterfront west or Portage Park - collaboration with CRD? Consider a boat house / boat launch, picnicking and play. Something like Saxe Point Park, but geared to the calmer waters of Esquimalt Harbour.
Harbour	Enhance	153	Maintain and enhance the beach as a natural and recreational area, add engineered tide pools, add picnic tables with views upland, consider a concession (boat rental - see what Gonzales beach was like in the 1930s, or Willows Beach tea house, or what the Esquimalt Nature House could be).
Harbour	Enhance	166	Enhance the playground at Portage Park to better appeal to all ages, older kids (age 12?). Separate from then playground, add picnic areas, adult exercise equipment, maybe community garden plots.
Harbour	Enhance	171	Bike lanes on island highway and sidewalks
Harbour	Enhance	178	We should be open to quality infill development through out View Royal, including the harbour precinct.
Harbour	Enhance	180	Sidewalks and more housing on this neighborhood
Harbour	Enhance	184	I would like a sit/stand desk
Harbour	Change	8	somehow improve safety left and right ...on/off highway access for residents on Dukrill and Price Roads
Harbour	Change	23	Follow the OCP. Read the OCP Vision and Goals. Follow them. Council and staff need to focus on the “lives within its means” ethic of the vision rather than constant expensive projects. “Ensure that community services and amenities can be provided within the financial means of the municipality”. Focus on maintaining what we have and delivering well managed contracts. The next OCP will have no value if it does not have a serious set of guidelines for implementing the OCP as it is created. Spending more money on contractors to create another OCP that staff will not follow and council does not understand is a waste of time.
Harbour	Change	31	Now I wonder why these questions are redundant? A waste of a question
Harbour	Change	33	Preserve
Harbour	Change	39	Affordable housing
Harbour	Change	50	I have heard this area will be developed into another eagle creek. I feel that is unnecessary, but it would be a great place for a rec centre and/or larger community center.
Harbour	Change	55	Preserve the old motel as a heritage site
Harbour	Change	56	Deny rezoning to allow tall buildings
Harbour	Change	59	All construction on condo towers like the ones going in here needs to stop. Our roads cannot support this kind of building. View Royal should not be aiming to densify.
Harbour	Change	64	Turned into office space after being amalgamated with more relevant municipalities.
Harbour	Change	67	Would like to see increased density, housing along old island highway in this area
Harbour	Change	85	More housing in this area. Has good access to downtown and access to the water.
Harbour	Change	86	View Royal Ave needs to be upgraded so that it can act as a traffic diversion
Harbour	Change	92	More diverse housing opportunities, safer sidewalks (which can still respect the topography and natural drainage)
Harbour	Change	96	Add a waterfront park between Portage and Six Mile (in collaboration with CRD?) Provide activities like boat launch, boat house/rental, small cafe, picnicking. Make it a bit of a destination, like Saxe Point but on more protected water.

Page 120–131

Map 8: Helmcken Neighbourhood

Page 120–131

Neighbourhood	Question	Comment No.	Comment
Helmcken	Preserve	26	These forested SFH properties were for sale for development, how sad it will be paved over
Helmcken	Preserve	28	loss of rocks/trees along TCH for bus lane widening in both directions
Helmcken	Preserve	40	Add bike lanes, improve sidewalks, calm traffic
Helmcken	Preserve	41	Nice to have the gardens, play area and offleash dog park
Helmcken	Preserve	57	Beautiful and accessible community green space.
Helmcken	Preserve	58	Lovely green space.
Helmcken	Preserve	61	leave the rv park alone. it is needed for both tourism into the city and a place to house low income seniors and military vets
Helmcken	Preserve	62	leave fort victoria rv park alone. it is needed for tourism into the city and houses a lot of low income seniors and military vets
Helmcken	Preserve	69	Clearly this area needs to be redeveloped although the current use does provide some genuine affordable housing so it is a difficult one to approach.
Helmcken	Preserve	87	Preserved
Helmcken	Preserve	120	Keep park space
Helmcken	Preserve	121	The indigenous totem pole is a community treasure that needs protection and preservation. Efforts must be made to connect the indigenous communities on restoration.
Helmcken	Preserve	126	Important green space
Helmcken	Preserve	128	Important green space
Helmcken	Preserve	130	This dead space should be a town park
Helmcken	Preserve	131	This trail is fantastic and should be kept as is!
Helmcken	Preserve	137	Preservation of roadside trees, bush and 'wild' areas like that on Glenairlie and adjacent to the school yard (and numerous other places throughout the town.) These are important habitat for birds and animals. I am concerned that areas like this may be cut back for maintenance or other road improvements.
Helmcken	Preserve	138	Very pleased to see remediation work along Craigflower Creek!
Helmcken	Preserve	139	Co-op buildings are a must in housing market
Helmcken	Preserve	140	single family homes are a must
Helmcken	Preserve	141	Hilltop residential area is heavily treed, which creates a huge part of the environmental vibe in View Royal. Feels like you are in a west coast forest
Helmcken	Preserve	146	This is well used important natural recreation area with an off leash dog area, playground and community gardens in a residential area.
Helmcken	Preserve	156	Love this dog park
Helmcken	Preserve	165	This park is vital to view Royal And serves all ages. Preserving the size but enhancing areas to better serve the population
Helmcken	Preserve	174	Keep all existing green spaces
Helmcken	Preserve	179	Grocery Store (on the way!)
Helmcken	Preserve	181	Great park
Helmcken	Enhance	5	remove vegetation / bushes that block drivers from seeing pedestrians waiting to cross at this corner
Helmcken	Enhance	17	improve pedestrian lighting on St Giles
Helmcken	Enhance	23	Accessibility for pedestrians, seniors, strollers, on-leash dogs, and mobility scooters is limited and poor with this narrow vehicle road. Active transportation for safety and comfort requires a wide hard service for them.
Helmcken	Enhance	24	ADD heat dome sun protection like picnic shelter or large awning
Helmcken	Enhance	25	I dont know what this space is, unless its the fort victoria rv park, something to make it more attractive, if not and it is nature, something to preserve it, ie walking trail
Helmcken	Enhance	28	Very disappointed to hear that the proposed market that was going into this new building is no longer opening. A market/cafe in this spot is VERY strongly supported by so many View Royal Elementary School families and residents of the area.
Helmcken	Enhance	30	Playground improvements should be supported by the Town, increased safety measures at crosswalks, crossing guards for other business intersections on popular routes to school (i.e. crossing Island Highway at Helmcken).
Helmcken	Enhance	31	More local businesses like Top Dog Pizza should be supported/encouraged to open up.
Helmcken	Enhance	33	additional green space / park areas
Helmcken	Enhance	52	densify along main roads with commercial space below housing.
Helmcken	Enhance	63	Gardens on boulevard
Helmcken	Enhance	65	Very important for community, the playground, pump track, community garden, and dog park are very important
Helmcken	Enhance	81	This road needs improvement for better access to the school for all…maybe change to a one way so that parking and a sidewalk can be installed - currently everyone parks on the road blocking traffic and making it unsafe for pedestrians
Helmcken	Enhance	83	Needs to be protected from sea level rise and storm surges.
Helmcken	Enhance	84	Add 3 DC fast chargers at the Helmcken Park and Ride.
Helmcken	Enhance	86	Add more community gardens for food security.
Helmcken	Enhance	87	Add Solar panels and storage batteries for energy security.
Helmcken	Enhance	95	This pathway is a hidden gem but needs improvement. New pavement, wider, maybe a playground and more beach space
Helmcken	Enhance	96	More vegetable gardens to create a community farm for food security; enhance the urban tree canopy
Helmcken	Enhance	97	More trees for shade in the center of the park
Helmcken	Enhance	101	This area should be considered for a mixed use residential / commercial development. This space no longer fits our community and has a lot of potential for the growth and beauty of View Royal
Helmcken	Enhance	111	Fantastic trail for access to downtown Victoria!
Helmcken	Enhance	114	Recent changes to View Royal Park and Portage Park have been excellent additions to the community and the sort of things I think a lot of younger families would like to see. Highlights include the new playground and bike track, improvements to the walking path, work to restore the Craigflower creek ecosystem, and the community garden.
Helmcken	Enhance	135	Improve the bikeway on Helcken Road and over the highway
Helmcken	Enhance	157	Maintain industrial employment opportunties
Helmcken	Enhance	161	Add bus lane (outbound at least) so busses can get through the Colwood Crawl. It is necessary for sustainability, even if medians must be replaced and rainwater functions located at the side of the road in boulevards. Efficient transit is key to livability, saving our time and reducing GhG emissions.
Helmcken	Enhance	163	Enhance the small village here, and consider replacing Community Hall with multi-room facility (here or elsewhere) with affordable housing above.
Helmcken	Enhance	168	Enhance this park and bicycle connection, with its south exposure to sun. Block highway noise.
Helmcken	Enhance	173	Commercial strip between 4mile and helmcken
Helmcken	Enhance	181	Turf sports fields for soccer
Helmcken	Enhance	183	Relocate Fort Victoria and instead build a neighbourhood full of single family homes.
Helmcken	Change	1	Off leash dogs make this space unsafe and unenjoyable for other users, especially walking or jogging on the path. Off leash areas must be fully contained to avoid conflict.
Helmcken	Change	6	OCP must include atmospheric rivers and sea level rises as risks to losing our two municipal parks: Centennial and View Royal park
Helmcken	Change	25	Cant think of anything that needs to be improved /changed at this moment
Helmcken	Change	27	A new playground is desperately needed at the school. Comparing View Royal to other local schools, these students really are missing out.
Helmcken	Change	28	The Royale will be enhanced by the presence of a retail grocer. Please hold the developer to that agreement!
Helmcken	Change	34	Preserve.
Helmcken	Change	42	E and N plus Galloping Goose are under utilized given the real need to move the growing population in and out of Victoria. Rapid transit options along these corridors needs to happen. Or perhaps a sea bus, similar to the one that connects the north and south shore in Vancouver
Helmcken	Change	43	I know it will be hard for these folks to go, but I think this area needs densification. Recommend apartment developments. Ensure good connection to public transportation. Provide amenities within walking distance.
Helmcken	Change	44	The railway. We need light rail transit from West Shore to Downtown and View Royal should be proactive in promoting this.
Helmcken	Change	49	There was supposed to be a market/café opening in this new development. But they have decided not to open their. I hope that we get a red barn or other type of market.
Helmcken	Change	57	traffic safety issue for children walking home from school. 3 way intersection with very poor visibility and no sidewalks.
Helmcken	Change	68	Add sites for Miyawaki forests here and elsewhere; create more community gardens here and elsewhere; clean and enhanced public toilers here and elsewhere; add sites here and elsewhere for community solar projects with storage batteries
Helmcken	Change	69	Additional traffic calming for safer walking to school
Helmcken	Change	70	Additional traffic calming for safer walking to school
Helmcken	Change	83	Speed bumps are needed on Helmcken Road at Centennial Park do to the speed of traffic.
Helmcken	Change	99	High density developmentonce land lease is up

Page 120–131

Island Highway Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood	Question	Comment No.	Comment
Island Highway	Preserve	35	The View Royal Community Hall is an asset with great potential that needs to be preserved but also supported in envisioning what that space could become - great opportunity here to meet community needs on this land/in this building.
Island Highway	Preserve	66	All of Island Highway should have higher density buildings 4-6 storeys.
Island Highway	Preserve	74	multi use buildings with housing above and business/ commercial space below. more walkable strip along island hwy.
Island Highway	Preserve	132	This area must be considered for development. Mixed residential and commercial options are a perfect fit here. This could be a beaufutual "Downtown View Royal"
Island Highway	Enhance	4	change this from a soft corner to a hard corner for improved pedestrian protection (school children, hearing / visual impaired, seniors). New parking entrance / exit so close the bus stop and intersection will present many traffic distractions and challenges
Island Highway	Enhance	10	lobby transit to change #46 bus to frequent service now there rapid bus lanes along Island Highway portion
Island Highway	Enhance	41	Add protected bicycle lane
Island Highway	Enhance	46	Eastbound/Uphill direction of Island Highway needs a bike lane (far more than the downhill side where cyclists could ride DH in traffic at speed). Sidewalks on south side need widening.
Island Highway	Enhance	49	This would be the ideal spot for a proper town centre
Island Highway	Enhance	51	no more new developments on island highway
Island Highway	Enhance	104	Why is this not an alternating traffic configuration with three lanes? Traffic is awful and will not get better. No - bikes are not the answer. Densification is only increasing in surrounding areas. We need to do something bold and progressive here. And actually create a solution rather than saying "alternative methods of transportation are encouraged". That's not a solution
Island Highway	Enhance	105	Why is this not an alternating traffic configuration with three lanes? Traffic is awful and will not get better. No - bikes are not the answer. Densification is only increasing in surrounding areas. We need to do something bold and progressive here. And actually create a solution rather than saying "alternative methods of transportation are encouraged". That's not a solution
Island Highway	Enhance	106	Why is this not an alternating traffic configuration with three lanes? Traffic is awful and will not get better. No - bikes are not the answer. Densification is only increasing in surrounding areas. We need to do something bold and progressive here. And actually create a solution rather than saying "alternative methods of transportation are encouraged". That's not a solution
Island Highway	Enhance	134	Improve the entrance to the E&N trail here so it's not so hard to make a U-turn on a cargo bike, so families can get onto the trail easier. Take out the rigid bollards, they are dangerous for bikes.
Island Highway	Enhance	139	We need to density the corridors and allow duplexes and townhouses in residential areas. We need more families.
Island Highway	Enhance	140	Bus service here is lacking
Island Highway	Enhance	176	Higher density development all along the Island Highway.
Island Highway	Enhance	182	Clean up old houses and businesses along Island Highway. They look trashy.
Island Highway	Change	7	Work with land owners to extend Prince Robert Drive down to E&N regional trail
Island Highway	Change	16	Replace soft corner with hard corner like View Royal did with "Hurst park' across the street. SAFETY
Island Highway	Change	26	Additional safety measures are needed for pedestrians at the Island Highway and Helmcken intersection. I find it very scary to cross here with my children, as cars zip through the turn lights and don't look before turning left. Further measures are needed - at this point, I cannot imagine my kids walking to school by themselves taking this route.
Island Highway	Change	38	Protected bicycle lane
Island Highway	Change	60	This land would be ideal for supportive housing. People on low incomes are going to lose their homes here if it is developed without their needs being met. We haven't provided low income housing.
Island Highway	Change	87	More commercial and parking needs to be added here to create a nice centre like Vic West.

Page 120–131

Outside Town Boundaries

Page 120–131

Neighbourhood	Question	Comment No.	Comment
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	6	dont preserve the abandoned VW bug
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	9	Preserve, protect and enhance the Millstream estuary and creek
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	10	Preserve, protect and enhance Craigflower Creek and migratory bird santuary
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	11	Preserve and protect the migratory bird sanctuary and discourage paddler visitor / tourists from venturing into narrow channels... here , Craighflower, and Hospital Creeks
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	12	"no go" paddling to protect bird habitat and sanctuary
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	13	reduce 'off leash' areas that damage sensitive ecosystems and plants such as camis
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	14	Work with VIHA and VGH to preserve a portion their natural forest
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	21	Add property along Millstream Creek as a wildlife corridor
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	24	Hate to see the forest here gone, where there is a huge big hole beside VGH
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	25	Hope that another sidewalk, wider than used to be built, which isnt needed , and will destroy the trees, rural feel of this road
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	30	Stewart Beach is a very special place for my family and our neighbours. I want to see this preserved, taken care of, and maintained.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	31	Another local beach access to continue caring for. The recent stairwell and table enhancements are appreciated.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	32	Portage Park is an important local green space to preserve. The pathways/trails are appreciated.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	36	Successful local businesses like Iluka Espresso need to be supported and preserved (and more of them!)
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	53	Very convenient retail hub!
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	60	Green space!
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	71	public Beach access for community
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	72	public beach access for the community
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	75	keep park, housing density here
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	76	Better connection with songhees nation. recognize our responibility for reconciliation, even if that means 'losing' land. Honest land back reconciliation.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	91	Important green space
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	95	Craigflower schoolhouse must not be touched.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	102	Great park for dog walking and enjoying nature.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	103	stop cutting down forests, less development and destruction of forests
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	108	Millstream Creek ecosystem also needs protection as a productive fish-bearing stream.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	110	Continue to preserve portage inlet and the gorge
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	112	Sidewalks for Pedestrians both sides of the street to round about at Victoria General Hospital
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	114	Radar signs for school zone speed M-F 8-5 at 30kmh and for 40khm non school hours
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	122	A vital recreation area
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	123	Vital green space
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	124	Green space
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	125	Important heritage
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	127	Important green space
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	142	Advanced pedestrian crossing intervals on the traffic lights have been installed at this intersection. This is a huge improvement on what we used to have.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	143	This is a completely natural forest area surrounded by a large residential district in both Saanich and View Royal.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	144	This a quiet area with a paved path and close to the water.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	151	Preserve the schoolhouse and park, preserve the washrooms.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	159	A quiet sitting opportunity for mindful reflection... plus a pretty cool spot for ocean swims.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	160	While this is private land, it provides a buffer between more forested areas in the community. I think we should be mindful of how we manage the interface spaces between Thetis Lake Park and our community, in case of future wildfires. This land could be a crucial fire buffer!
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	169	If some Federal lands become available, would love to see this converted to park, public space. And/or affordable housing for our military, as a priority.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	170	Keep green space. Keep trees, but maybe there is a way to expand space for kids/family use as I think this park has limited visitation (but could be wrong).
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	171	Who owns golf course? The town? If not and if it becomes available, be sure to keep as some type of green space for the public. Do not privatize or convert to housing.
Outside Town Boundaries	Preserve	173	craigflower schoolhouse should be open for tours etc & special events more
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	12	Improve this informal trail to / from Westshore Parks and Rec for Coho residents and better visibility safety (SEPTED)
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	34	Complete and improve bike lanes and sidewalks, create a bus lane, calm traffic
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	40	Preserve
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	43	Affordable housing
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	54	water quality maintenance so people can swim in the waters. use data to influence ocean protection
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	55	Add more benches and picnic table. provide easy-safe access to the beach seniors/physically challenged. Add a washroom, provide a small summer refreshments counter .Access to Richard's Island
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	60	Knockan hill off leash
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	67	For the history as well as the Gorge walkway for recreation
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	70	Important historical building
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	71	Important green space
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	72	There should be a sidewalk along Watkiss Way between Eagle Creek and the hospital sign. Saanich is unlikely to care, but View Royal Residents walk along the dirt at the edge of the road daily.
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	79	The land surrounding the Portage Inlet presents beautiful and soothing views - yet for the most part, the public connot really access this. A marker could be placed at multiple points around the Inlet.
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	80	The walk on the developed side of the Gorge that then goes around and through the Japanesse garden is one of our favorite places. It would be wonderful if folks could makes a full circut here and not be forced to stop after the playground and turn around
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	82	Little Road Farm needs to be designed for a proper farm for perhaps Young Agrarians. It will also be critical for future food security. It could also be part of an education centre.
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	124	A sidewalk along Burnside Road between Little Road and Helmcken Road would facilitate safe access to the parkland at the end of little Road.
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	141	This shoreline is wonderful but hidden away and not very accessible
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	150	All river areas.
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	162	Enhance waterfront access with a new waterfront park somewhere between Portage Park and Six Mile Bridge. Make it a bit of a destination, like Saxe Point. Consider a boat house, a small restaurant of coffeeshop for all weather enjoyment.
Outside Town Boundaries	Enhance	167	Add a connection across the water here
Outside Town Boundaries	Change	5	Inlet flood plain designations must be updated for insurance risks and property damage... not only from rising sea levels but also atmospheric rivers from all the hills ... and impervious hard surfaces
Outside Town Boundaries	Change	15	install a public paddling dock at bottom of Beaumont road end like Saanich has provided for paddlers at Gorge Park / Tillicum bridge
Outside Town Boundaries	Change	29	A safer crossing for users of the Galloping Goose trail
Outside Town Boundaries	Change	41	Affordable housing
Outside Town Boundaries	Change	45	This area of tillicum is an absolute cluster fuck. Multiple lanes have been removed and traffic calming has been installed. Now traffic is substantially slower, the traffic light at Craigflower and Tillicum is the most ineffective set-up possible and suprise suprise I hardly ever see anyone using the bike lanes.
Outside Town Boundaries	Change	58	Remove the stupid unused new bike lanes that were installed on gorge road. The cause massive traffic because buses can no longer pull over, no one uses them, and all that space could be used for another lane that could be flipped to flow with rush hour traffic.

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Extracted from: 2025 04 01 Council Agenda - Agenda - Pdf