Esquimalt council is united behind making what would be the township's tallest building a reality.
Council unanimously approved the first readings of an OCP amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment for a 21-storey, 63-metre-tall mixed-use building between Sussex and Saunders streets.
The 335-unit building would boast 242 parking spaces, 413 residential bike parking spaces, an 18,500 square-foot public park and 2,500 square feet in retail space.
"The buildings at Saunders and Sussex have served as rental homes for more than five decades. While they provided relatively affordable rental housing, due to the aging condition, they're now passed their economic life, built under outdated standards and facing mounting challenges in safety, energy performance and accessibility," said Farouk Babul, vice-president of B.C. development at Intracorp Homes, which is partnered with the owners of the property, Belmont Properties.
Babul lauded the large swath of parkland that would be part of the development, noting that there is currently no green space within a 10-minute walk of the site. The new green space would change that with a privately funded, publicly accessible park for the neighbourhood.
The building was a controversial subject in the fall when tenants at the property's current two residential buildings expressed opposition to the development, saying it would drive working-class families out of their affordable homes.
Intracorp Homes said they've been working with tenants to find new, equally affordable housing, and so far, nearly half of the tenants have found other housing options.
Coun. Ken Armour said there is "no question" that the project is "high density" and that the neighbourhood is growing in density. "But, to this point anyway, density is exactly what this council's been looking for. The location is perfect for that; it's close to the [military] base ... it's rentals, which, in some ways, might be more appealing to workers on the base."
Other councillors shared some of their reservations about the project – namely, the height and parking – but expressed confidence that moving forward with a public hearing would be beneficial, allowing council to hear from the community in a more formal setting.
"I support it moving to public hearing. I look forward to hearing what residents will have to say, but I think there are a number of positives to it," said Mayor Barbara Desjardins.
The council directed staff to schedule a public hearing for the building plan, which will be announced at a later date.
