Neighbours concerned after Saanich approves first-ever townhouse development without parking
For the first time ever, the District of Saanich has approved construction of a multi-unit residential building that will not include parking spots.
Normally, a nine-unit townhouse project would require 23 parking stalls in Saanich. Once the new complex is built on the corner of Richmond Road and Allenby Street, however, there will be none.
"It really is a location where people could quite easily get around without a car," said Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock on Tuesday.
The building will be close to transit stops and Hillside mall. Saanich council unanimously approved the project with the capital region's housing supply crisis in mind, says Murdock.
"If we’re not requiring space on that site to store a car, it means we can create an additional home," he said.
'DOESN'T SOUND VERY REALISTIC'
The Camosun Community Association has its concerns, however.
"So much density," said Jamie Dopp, a Camosun Community Association executive member.
The district says the complex will cater to those choosing to live a car-free lifestyle. There will be storage for 18 bicycles, one car-share parking spot with an electric charging station, and all residents will receive a Modo car-share membership.
"From our point of view, that doesn’t sound very realistic," said Dopp.
Dopp also lives next door to the approved project site. His concern is that the quiet street he lives on will become a parking lot.
The house that currently sits at the corner of Richmond Road and Allenby Street in Saanich where the nine-unit townhouse complex will be built is shown. (CTV News)
Julian West, principal and owner of Urban Thrive Developments, says 80 people are already on a waitlist to get one of the nine townhouse units.
He says the next step will now be about getting people who already live a car-free lifestyle into those townhomes.
"We approached this from a couple of levels and the first piece is that matching process," said West.
"The final piece of the puzzle for us is we’re actually going to have a contract with our buyers," he added.
The contract stipulates that residents can't park on the street.
Dopp says he's concerned about what will happen when the original owners eventually sell their homes at some point in the future.
"And then what happens if the composition of residents in the building changes?" said Dopp.
He adds that the 'no parking' stipulation will rely on the honour system.
"He’s [West] admitted that it’s not enforceable, so it’s kind of like, moral pressure, I guess, is the hope," said Dopp.
The permitting and construction process is expected to take up to a year and a half to complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.