A commentary by a 13-year resident of the Bayview Place hilltop community.
We purchased our home thinking that it might be for just a few years, but we loved living here so much that we stayed.
As the proposal for the next phase of the community, which the applicants call the Roundhouse at Bayview Place Phase 2, heads to public hearing on Thursday, I want to share my perspective as a native Victorian of 36 years.
Embracing more homes through increased housing density with this development is not just a necessity but a rare opportunity to address the pressing housing and climate crises. It will also strengthen our downtown, which is clearly struggling.
In the midst of the housing crisis, this development presents a chance to provide many badly needed new homes, a blessing for a community grappling with the reality that we just haven’t been building nearly enough.
Further, these homes would include a thoughtful mix of market apartments, rental and affordable housing, all of which we also badly need.
The proposed affordable housing provider recently referred to the land donation in this project as “game changing” and “once in a generation.”
As a business owner who spent years struggling in the local tourism economy, I witnessed the challenges of employees unable to afford housing in Victoria, primarily due to the scarcity of supply.
I observed hoteliers getting involved with housing their employees, something business owners should never have to do. Recently, the city worked with the tourism community to try to improve this situation, but much more needs to be done.
Supporting this project is vital for the creation of a vibrant, affordable, and livable Victoria. Stubbornly restricting housing supply, based on the density preferences of some, risks hindering our city’s potential to achieve a dynamic and inclusive future for all.
In addition to the homes we badly need, the proposal will provide shops and services we can walk to in the reused and protected heritage buildings, as well as new daycare, playgrounds and public spaces, all in a complete community.
Too often, we treat increased density as a bad thing instead of recognizing it as more homes for people and more support for local shopping. We’ve seen over and over that without enough local population, retailers won’t come or can’t survive if they do.
I’ve observed the Roundhouse applicants, Patricia and Ken Mariash, constantly demonstrate a genuine commitment to listening to and speaking with our neighbours. They’ve literally been doing this since I was in high school.
Their willingness to address concerns and issues shows their dedication to the community and the collaborative process. They want to do something truly exceptional.
Their contributions to our community, through both the proposed project and past examples, reflect their long commitment.
I suspect that more ordinary developers might have cut and run rather than engage with us the way the Mariashes have.
When council has to make a decision like this, it’s important that the public is working from truth rather than from misinformation.
Unfortunately, while walking around our neighbourhood, I’ve seen posters attacking the project on almost every telephone pole. Flyers are being passed around, and there are online campaigns.
The images I have been seeing don’t match the proposal that council will be considering.
While misinformation campaigns seek to create unnecessary fear, it is imperative that we focus on facts, including the many tangible benefits that projects like this offer to our community. We need homes, not hate.
As our community navigates the complexities of urban development in an increasingly challenging world, let’s not lose sight of the positive contributions that can be made toward a brighter and more sustainable future.
Blocking this development would be not just a missed opportunity, but a disservice to our community’s present and future.
Support the Roundhouse rezoning when it gets to city council next week. There is no other site like this in the city that can do what this site can do.
We’ve been playing catch-up for too long. Let’s get on with it!
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