Council approves first reading; OCP amendment required
Saanich council has given first reading to a proposal for a five‑storey purpose‑built rental apartment building that would deliver 77 units on three properties at 1805–1811 Feltham Road in Gordon Head. The measure passed at the July 20 meeting, but councillors stressed the project will now be shaped by the public hearing process because the height exceeds the site’s current designation in the municipality’s Official Community Plan (OCP).
Site details and integration with Telus infrastructure
The three adjoining lots together cover 3,448 square metres. Two of the parcels are vacant — one of which is already the site of ongoing construction for a Telus facility — while the western lot contains an existing Telus telecommunications installation. The applicant has proposed to incorporate the telecommunications infrastructure into the new development rather than remove it.
As part of the proposal, Saanich would sell the current public pathway along the eastern lot line to Telus. In exchange, Telus would construct a new, wider multi‑use pathway to replace the existing route.
Unit mix and parking
The development would offer a range of unit types from studios to three‑bedroom homes and provides a mix of vehicle and active‑transport parking intended to support residents' needs.
- Units: 77 rental apartments (studios to three‑bedrooms)
- Vehicle parking: 53 spaces
- Bicycle parking: 84 spaces
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total units | 77 |
| Vehicle parking spaces | 53 |
| Bicycle parking spaces | 84 |
| Site area | 3,448 m² |
Council response and next steps
Mayor Dean Murdock told council the OCP amendment means the matter must proceed to public hearing and cautioned members against debating the project before that forum. He said the project will be "subject to public input and where there will be a debate by council" and noted that it is council procedure not to discuss items prior to that hearing.
“(This project) will be subject to public input and where there will be a debate by council,” said Mayor Dean Murdock.
The motion to give first reading was carried by a majority vote. Coun. Colin Plant and Coun. Nathalie Chambers were the only councillors to oppose advancing the application at this stage.
Local context and implications
Gordon Head is a predominantly residential neighbourhood where proposals that increase building heights or density often draw close scrutiny from residents concerned about neighbourhood character, parking, traffic and impacts on green space. The Feltham Road site is near established residential streets and existing telecommunications infrastructure, and the applicant’s plan to retain and integrate that infrastructure is likely to be a focal point during public consultations.
The proposal also reflects broader municipal priorities: Saanich has been encouraging the creation of purpose‑built rental housing as part of regional efforts to expand rental supply. The inclusion of a relatively high proportion of bicycle parking — 84 spaces for 77 units — aligns with active‑transport goals, while the provision of 53 vehicle parking spaces suggests the developer is balancing car use expectations with cycling amenities.
Residents who wish to comment will have the opportunity to do so at the scheduled public hearing once a date is set. At that time, council will hear submissions from the public and further debate any proposed amendments to the OCP before making a decision on whether to approve the development.
With first reading completed, the application now moves into a more public phase of review. How neighbours, neighbourhood groups and council weigh the trade‑offs between added rental supply and changes to local scale and infrastructure will determine whether the project advances to final approval.
