A stalled development near the airport might get new life.
“What I’m asking of council is to very, very simply change the lot size in the official community plan and ask staff to begin the process for rezoning,” said Gary Lunn, one of the parties associated with the applicant.
North Saanich council, after a long debate Monday, directed municipal staff to prepare a report on fresh plans for 9395 East Saanich Rd., which could add 39 single-family houses with secondary suites close to the Victoria International Airport.
Staff will examine necessary sewage upgrades, parking requirements and parkland opportunities.
The discussion among councillors got heated when debate focused around the need for density and what process to take.
“I never thought we’d come to a position where we were asking a developer to draft a bylaw for us,” Coun. Elsie McMurphy said after Coun. Ted Daly moved that staff meet with the developer to draft a zoning bylaw.
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t move on with the thing. You know what they say – analysis, paralysis,” Coun. Dunstan Browne added.
Mayor Alice Finall said the process on the property must include enough public consultation before anything is approved.
In the end, Browne moved that council support the application in principle and have a report on a zoning bylaw come back to council by June 25. It passed by a 4-3 vote, with McMurphy, Finall and Coun. Celia Stock voting against.