Central Saanich is inviting residents to weigh in on how their community grows.
The “Let’s Talk Housing” events on June 13 and 16 are designed to educate residents and business owners about housing issues and trends, District housing policies and zoning regulations, and the future of housing in the municipality.
In an interview, Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor said the community outreach is part of a Residential Infill and Densification project, which will inform an upcoming Official Community Plan update in 2020.
Infill and densification are related terms, but one is more intense than another.
In previous staff reports, residential infill is defined as activities like subdividing lots for townhomes.
The neighbourhood look and feel is to remain similar, and would bring an area up to the existing zoning limits.
Densification is more intense, creating apartments or commercial buildings and might require road expansion, upgrades to water and sewer systems, and the like.
It would require council to change zoning to allow for the extra density. The District plans to use this technique for village centres.
The Official Community Plan is the 10-year plan for the area, with an overarching vision of what the community should look like and how it should grow.
There are two identical open houses, one on Wed. June 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Central Saanich Municipal Hall (1903 Mt. Newton Cross Road), and another on Saturday June 16 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Central Saanich Cultural Centre — the library building — at 1209 Clarke Road.
Attendees can view miniatures of building types on standard Central Saanich lots and learn about past studies the District has done. There are even activities for the kids.
For those unable to attend in-person, people may engage online by taking a survey and playing with interactive maps.
To engage and read more information, visit connectcentralsaanich.ca/housing.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com