Request Letter from WestUrban Developments

RE: Car Share – 9 Erskine Lane

Please accept this letter as WestUrban Development’s request for relief from providing a car share in conjunction with the homes we are currently constructing at 9 Erskine Lane and as established in Covenant CA8718173 – Development Agreement.

This covenant was registered as part of the rezoning process which concluded in early 2021. The covenant outlines provisions for a car share of one vehicle at each building for a five-year term. Section 8(a) of the covenant outlines that WestUrban may apply to the Town if the car share provision of the covenant cannot be reasonably satisfied.

There are two car shares that operate in the Victoria Region: EVO and MODO. We have engaged both and both have stated they do not want to operate from this location.

As a result, we are requesting the Town accepts a security in the sum of $175,000 as an equivalent amenity contribution. This security is to be released upon implementation of alternative amenities such as additional bus passes for residents, additional shared bikes or improvements to pedestrian connectivity based on direction from staff.

The alternative amenity contribution has been calculated based on a recent agreement which we completed with MODO for our building in Esquimalt (attached).

In that case, MODO agreed to provide one shared vehicle for the building. The cost of the service was $26,250.00 for a three-year term ($8,750/year).

Applied to 9 Erskine Lane, the amenity contribution value would be $175,000. This is calculated based on providing four vehicles, for five years at a cost of $8,750/year/vehicle.

Thank-you to staff for working through this challenge with us and we appreciate Council and staff’s time in considering this request.