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Port Side Marina upgrade plan revived in Central Saanich

Brentwood Bay marina proponents seek to renovate, expand
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Dale Cotton hopes to renovate the Port Side Marina and capitalize on both pedestrian and boat traffic in Brentwood Bay.

Dale Cotton hopes to see a Brentwood Bay flavoured version of the Victoria Inner Harbour at Port Side Marina.

Pedestrians puttering around purchasing arts or food, kayakers slipping off into the Saanich Inlet for a day excursion and ferry traffic watching underwater sea life while they wait are all part of his vision.

Cotton put forward a new proposal for council and residents of Central Saanich to consider for expanding and upgrading the marina.

Last September, council denied the proposal to expand and develop the marina on Saunders Lane in Brentwood Bay. After well-attended committee meeting, council of the day recommended Cotton build confidence with residents and resolve traffic problems. While some were in support, many residents of the neighbourhood, known as Moodyville, spoke against the proposal, with traffic and parking a primary concern.

"Now they've got a new plan with a new parking area, he should really go to the community and present it and get the feedback," said Coun. John Garrison. "We also shipped it off to the other third parties."

First Nations and the Capital Regional District are among those who will get a look at the altered plan.

Coun. Adam Olsen expects that will take about a month.

"Then it will come back and we'll discuss it again," Olsen said.

The proposal has significant alterations both on the water, and the pavement.

Cotton found a new piece of property to put in the proposal as parking. He purchased 7221 Peden Ln. to develop 20 parking spots for the marina. As in the previous proposal, 789 Saunders Ln. would provide marina parking bringing the spaces to 40.

"It can't be left they way it was," Cotton said. "The parking is gone that was traditionally there."

On the water, the lease area for moorage was reduced. A revised dock configuration shows 39 moorage slips with 15 proposed for liveaboard use.

"We currently in the bay have a lot of people who live aboard. That's just the way it is," Cotton said. "If we have a community that's starting here … we can regulate it."

Across the board, the plan would require an official community plan amendment, rezoning, development variance and development permit.

The built portion of the marina would extend out 30 metres offering space for more marine-oriented business. It would also offer an expanded kayak centre and better washroom facilities. The marina would include a floating retail sales centre, art gallery and food vendors. There would be a viewing platform to take in the scenery above and below water.

"It gives a lot of versatility," Cotton said. "We want to make the marina completely open to the public."

After a first look at the new plan, Central Saanich council asked Cotton to get more feedback from residents.

"We had very complex motion in front of us. What the committee did was vote to request that the applicant have a neighbourhood meeting to present the changes to the neighbourhood," Olsen said.

The proposal will be up for discussion during an open house at Brentwood Bay Lodge on Feb. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

 

Underwater care

As before, Dale Cotton reiterates the environmental need to move the docks out 30 metres at Port Side Marina.

At low tide, some wharves sit on the seabed.

“That is the worst thing you can do for the eelgrass and the environment,” Cotton said. “We’re supportive of helping to restore the eelgrass beds.”

The move would bring the structures beyond zero tide.