Thursday, March 28, 2024

View Royal’s largest-ever redevelopment has a growing opposition movement

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On June 27th, impassioned community members are expected to come out in force against a massive redevelopment of Christie Point.

Toronto-based Realstar Group is seeking to replace a 1960’s era, 161-unit apartment complex with a brand new, 473-unit complex.

Plans to rezone the area and allow Realstar’s development to take place were first introduced in 2016. Those initial plans have since undergone alterations, but the changes have not satisfied many.

A petition against the rezoning has garnered over 600 signatures in the past five months. And a detailed opposition website has also been established.

Several topics of complaint have been outlined on the Christie Point Advocates website regarding the proposal (listed here in no particular order):
  • Affordability
  • Environmental Impacts
  • Tenant Displacement
  • Construction Noise
  • Traffic Disruption
  • Increased Parking
  • Pet Friendliness

Current apartments are only two stories tall, but the Realstar development would increase the height of most buildings to four to six stories, imposing a new skyline on the surrounding area.

Additionally, the price of the new housing remains unclear. Realstar has said that the new complex will have “market rentals”, but current tenants fear that the new development will be unaffordable.

Due to the size of the expected crowds, the hearing will take place at Songhees Wellness Centre.

For more information regarding the hearing and the topics that will be discussed, check out the View Royal municipal website, or the Facebook Event organized by Christie Point Advocates.

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Alistair Ogden
Former staff writer at Victoria Buzz.

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