Here’s Sidney council’s recommendations for the proposed distribution centre

The Town of Sidney has responded with comments to the proposal of a warehouse and distribution facility proposed on Victoria Airport Authority property.

A warehouse and distribution facility proposed by York Realty to the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) has been reviewed and reconsidered by councillors for the Town of Sidney.

York Realty has applied to the VAA for the construction of a 486,937 square foot multi-storey distribution warehouse facility at 9899 McDonald Park Road.
The realtor is representing a business tenant whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. The facility’s purpose was identified as being a delivery site for a large-scale distributor.

Sidney council’s recommendations to VAA include seeking public and W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council input first before going forward with the approval, and that the VAA commit to a leadership role that would see them working with the District of North Saanich, the Town of Sidney, and other stakeholders.

The Town of Sidney also suggested that VAA be a partner in funding.

The VAA will make all final decisions on the project despite the Town of Sidney having no decision-making authority for developments on Federal airport lands.

With more construction, the Town of Sidney has also suggested a construction management plan addressing the impacts on the road network in the area, including improvements to the Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue intersection.

“Council made several strong recommendations regarding public engagement, addressing impacts on the adjacent residential neighbourhood, transportation infrastructure improvements, and civil works and frontage improvements,” said Mayor of Sidney, Cliff McNeil-Smith.

“Town staff provided recommendations from its technical review, and the community provided meaningful input to Council on the benefits and impacts of the development”, the Mayor stated.

Town council has accepted some variance for the proposed project, including the height of the proposed facility is 22.76 metres, which exceeds the VAA’s height regulations.

Public feedback for the proposal can be submitted through email.

These are the recommendations proposed to VAA:

1) That Council direct staff to reply to the Victoria Airport Authority recommending that the VAA not approve the development without first engaging with the WSANEC Leadership Council and providing opportunities for public input, particularly engaging the Galaran neighbourhood.

2) That Council recommends that approval of the Development Referral for the property at 9899 McDonald Park Road (York Realty) be subject to the following conditions:

1. That the VAA be a partner in funding and take a leadership role in working with York Realty, the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, and other stakeholders to ensure a roundabout is designed and constructed at the intersection of Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road, and that Stirling Way is realigned, in accordance with the Beacon West Traffic study, and that the roundabout be designed and constructed in a way to easily adapt to a two-lane roundabout over time;
2. That construction of the roundabout at Galaran Road be completed prior to the facility at 9899 McDonald Park Road becoming operational;
3. That a construction management plan to address potential impacts of construction on the surrounding road network be approved by the VAA and followed by York Realty throughout construction, including traffic control, truck routes, site deliveries, trades parkíng, dust control, etc.
4. That the VAA commit to taking a leadership role and be a funding partner in working with the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, the Province, and other stakeholders, to address improvements at the Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue intersection;
5. That frontage improvements for the development include drainage and a pedestrian sidewalk along all road frontages and vehicle parking on the frontage of Galaran Road, as identified in the Beacon West Traffic Study;
6. That the location of site entrances/exits from Galaran Road be improved to better align with existing street intersections on the east side of Galaran Road;
7. That the civil engineer retained by York Realty continue to communicate with the Town’s Engineering department regarding civil design and road and frontage improvements in order to resolve all issues prior to the issuance of a Building Permit by the VAA;
8. That all telecommunication and electrical site servicing be installed underground; and, 9. That the east elevation of the building design be revised to reduce its impact on the Galaran residential neighbourhood.

3) Because this project is of significant interest to the community that we publish these recommendations prominently on our website.

4) Because this project is of significant interest to the community that we issue a media release and place an advertisement in the Peninsula News Review with these recommendations.

5) That the Town and VAA review the current MOU.

6) That the Town send a copy of the recommendations regarding this referral to MP Elizabeth May, MLA Adam Olsen, Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, and B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.

7) That the Mayor request a meeting with the two Town of Sidney nominees to the Victoria Airport Authority Board of Directors in order to discuss in detail Council’s recommendations pertaining to the York Realty development referral.