Victoria Council Weighs Rental Building Proposal

0:00Victoria City Council might send a five-story rental building proposal in Jane's Bay back to the developers for more tweaks. City staff recommend rejecting the variances for the 17-unit project at 50 government street near Dallas Road. They say the scale is too big for the lot, and if fall short on outdoor space and street vibe, this would be the second time in two years the plan gets bounced back. Back in December 2024, Council kept it alive despite neighborhood pushback, demanding cuts to size, better landscaping, and neighbor-friendly changes. Developers responded by boosting setbacks, switching to internal stairs, adding a man's art roof, and upping units to 17 with two below market, rentals. Locals are fired up against it, calling the building too massive for the quiet street, a privacy invader, and out of sync with the heritage feel. They worry it trashes older, affordable spots for pricier new ones that won't help much. People see some progress like reduced balconies and proper trees, but density jumped and

1:03height hit five full stories. Developers pushback, touting low parking, car share perks, bike fixes, transit passes, and quick builds that slash concrete used by 75%. Percent for greener housing. Council votes on this Thursday, balancing desperate rental needs with fitting the block just right, could set the tone for gentle density pushes ahead. That wraps Canada News today.