Jan 15 - 1,870 units: Public debate on massive Vic West project continues

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Sheridan C, who recently became a Capital Daily member to support our daily reporting. Join them and other locals who help make our newsletter possible each morning.

Good morning !

Over the weekend, a few of you told us you were concerned about the wellbeing of local hummingbirds during this recent cold snap.

These small, seemingly fragile birds can actually manage surprisingly well during freezing days by entering a hibernation-like state called torpor. But if you want to help them out, here are some tips on what to do with your feeder.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 1 / -4

Tuesday: 🌦️ 2 / -1

Wednesday:🌨️🌧️ 4 / -2

7-day forecast

NEWS

Public hearing resumes tonight for contentious 1,870-unit Vic West project 

Thursday’s public hearing was not long enough for Victoria council to hear all the input on the latest version of the Bayview Roundhouse redevelopment. In the works for more than 15 years, the newest version requests nine towers of 10 to 32 storeys on the site surrounding the former E & N Roundhouse.

The Focus Equities proposal would be one of the largest developments in Island history, and public input has been split. During both last week’s hearing and discussion throughout 2023, supporters generally cited the need for more local housing supply, while opponents have cited either the sheer scale or a number of concerns including traffic, airspace, and the speed of the process. 

New vision much bigger than prior plan

A prior phase of towers already exists on the land, and this next phase was originally supposed to be a “Granville Island”-style community with five towers. A decade-plus has seen very little movement on that vision and its promised refurbishment of the roundhouse, a 112-year-old heritage site that includes brick buildings and a “turntable” for trains. 

Some locals see this delay as a reason to get on with the project, while others view it as a red flag for the reliability of project proponent Ken Maraish and Focus.

Hearing will resume today at 6:30pm

Today will only include the backlog of existing audio and video submissions. Council may also get to a third reading of the zoning bylaw change to allow the development, but that may be bumped yet again. 

Victoria wants any Master Development Agreement to include public space improvements, a childcare centre, noise and wind studies before development, traffic infrastructure, a rental tower, and other contributions from the developer. It would also lock in the developer’s 2022 commitment to donate land for an 18-storey affordable housing tower overseen by the Greater Victoria Housing Society. 

Find the hearing agenda and livestream here.

Find the full details of the proposed project here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Snow expected to return to parts of Island tomorrow but may become rain or ice pellets. [EnviroCan]

Spring BC camping reservations are now open, though May long weekend spots open Wednesday.

UVic's David Strong building now fully reopened to classes after heating and ventilation issues.

NEWS

7 months after Cameron Bluffs fire,
holiday closure rekindles interest in detour 

Three weeks ago, an unwanted Christmas gift greeted Highway 4 travellers: the unexpected (though brief) shutdown of the same stretch that saw weeks of closures last summer. BC’s Ministry of Transportation says that the area, with its steep sides, has always had debris issues. But, a spokesperson says, the summer’s Cameron Bluffs wildfire changed the soil in the area, and so the ministry has increased its patrols. 

The recurring closures underline the calls from some Alberni Valley residents for there to be a long-term plan for a reliable detour to keep their region connected to the rest of the Island. In June a letter went to Premier David Eby from the Tseshaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Huu-ay-aht, Hesquiaht, and Ditidaht First Nations, calling for provincial and federal investment into a second access to Port Alberni. 

Huu-ay-aht elected chief councillor John Jack argues that such a road can be modelled on the work completed last year on the roadway to Bamfield. Huu-ay-aht had long called for safety improvements, but they only happened after the deaths of two UVic students in a bus rollover. 

Extreme weather has put focus on lack of Island detours
Calls periodically emerge for a detour to the Malahat, which has at times been closed by flooding and crashes. In 2019, the province ruled out several options for a detour after a report deemed the price tag too high relative to how often it would be needed and how many people would be affected.

Read more on the Highway 4 issues at Capital Daily.

SPONSORED BY SWAN LAKE CHRISTMAS HILL NATURE SANCTUARY

Embrace gardening with native plants

Discover the art of gardening harmoniously with nature! Join the workshop at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Dive into native plant identification, ecological significance, and a guided tour. Unveil the secrets of water conservation. Register your spot for $5 and receive complementary local native seeds.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏒 Victoria hosts Hockey Day in Canada festival this coming week, with events starting Wednesday. [Info / schedule]

🍽️ Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria is back for its 20th anniversary! Enjoy deliciously-priced menus and discounted hotel rooms between January 26 – February 11. Find out more.*

🦆 Extra bedding for the animals at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm as they deal with the chilly weekend. [Photos]

🥘 Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here!

🤝 Now hiring: Senior Material Planner at Babcock

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

BC sets new record for hourly electricity use
BC Hydro reported that Friday’s 11,300-megawatt demand passed last winter’s high, and that Saturday was near 11,000. Friday brought extreme cold across BC, and was Victoria’s coldest day in 52 years. BC Hydro said it did not have to borrow electricity—and instead sent some to Alberta—despite BC’s power-generating reservoirs remaining depleted by 2023’s drought. This year, drought could be even worse.

Fire at Oak Bay Beach Hotel pub
The hotel was evacuated at 11am Friday and fire crews doused a blaze in The Snug Pub, which remains closed. It wasn’t the only weekend evacuation; Sidney Fire dealt with water line breaks in three buildings, the Town said, while Sooke's Prestige Oceanfront Resort flooded.

Alleged indecent exposure on Thursday ferry
RCMP say they arrested a man at Swartz Bay terminal when the 5:30 from Tsawwassen docked, and that ferry staff handled the situation safely and efficiently. [CHEK]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Staff Lawyer (Victoria) at Together Against Poverty Society.

• Product Designer at Outway

• Sales Associate - Beverage Alcohol at Hey Y’all Southern Style Hard Iced Tea

Looking for more openings? See 30+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🎻 Bach in the Pub: Victoria Baroque will perform a solo violin concert at Victoria Event Centre. Today. Doors 7pm, show 8pm.

🎥 Anatomy of a Fall: The award-winning psychological thriller / courtroom drama plays at The Vic Theatre today. 7:30pm. 

🧊 Antarctica in IMAX: Shackleton—Greatest Story of Survival opens today. See explorer Tim Jarvis relive Ernest Shackleton’s harrowing attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. [Showtimes]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Ice on the fountain and the Inner Harbour’s outer edges. [Photos below]

Victoria’s coldest day in decades burst pipes across the region. Plus: On the cold streets with no tent. Ammonia leak at UVic. Your votes on cold/sunny vs. warm/rainy. [Sun. newsletter]

Victoria’s most anticipated restaurants of 2024. [Tasting Victoria]

Tooth & lies: Man allegedly impersonated dental hygienist in Saanich. [BCCOHP]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: