02/01/2026
1903 Mt. Newton Proposal from Council
At the Jan. 26 Committee of the Whole and Council meetings, only 4 Council members were present to hear from the public on the District’s redevelopment proposal for 1903 Mt. Newton. Members of the public filled every seat in the public gallery and spilled out into the lobby. It’s important that ALL Council members be there to hear from the public, and at the subsequent Council meeting, the Mayor had to defer some important agenda items to a future meeting, as there were not enough Councilors in the room.
There was no presentation from the District about what they’re planning to build on the site, so comments were based on what was put forward in consultations over the past 12 months – 4-6 storey buildings, mixed use, and 400 dwelling units. All speakers were clearly against this notion, citing the impact on single family neighbours, sale of public land, impact on infrastructure, including lack of an elementary school in Saanichton village, water, sewer and increased traffic on Wallace and Mt. Newton.
SALE OF PUBLIC LAND - There is a fundamental question about the sale of public land. Clearly, this has been the plan all along, to fund the building of a new municipal hall. Legally, it appears that Council has the right to do this without consulting the public, who are actually the owners of the property, not the seven Council members.
INCONSISTENCY WITH THE OCP – the idea of having commercial and residential mixed use on this site is not inconsistent with the OCP. What seems to be forgotten is that we are and want to continue to be primarily a rural municipality with residential located in and near the two villages. What is inconsistent is the density that is being proposed on this site. In order to fit 400 units onto this property, even at 4 stories, there is going to be significant site coverage. The OCP notes that development must respect the rural nature of the community. Neighbours, and future residents of the site will want green space and landscaping. Without going up to 5 or 6 stories, there simply will not be enough space on the site to provide the set backs neighbours are asking for and the space that future residents will want to circulate through the space.
PARKING – given the number of parking spaces required for the commercial and residential units, parking will need to be located underground (not enough surface space) probably 2 or 3 levels. This will significantly increase the costs for the developer, which will translate into either a lower proposed purchase offer and/or higher sales price for residential units.
TRAFFIC – as was noted by one of the neighbours, traffic congestion along Mt. Newton has increased significantly in recent years. All the new residents in the Marigold development, all existing residents on that side of the highway, including Tsawout, drive to Saanichton for groceries and other needs. District staff have acknowledged that “something needs to be done” to manage the traffic flow, but there is no plan. This issue needs to be addressed before any new development starts at this location.
TIMING – What is the rush? Why do we need to have the public hearing on February 23? At a time when Council members are not even showing up for regular Council meetings, will they be there? From the turnout on Jan. 26 it’s obvious that a larger venue will be needed, and a special meeting, similar to the public hearing for the Aryze/Hovey development.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY – this proposal is not being based on good planning principles or public preferences. In order to build the new municipal hall, Council hopes to generate $15million or more from the sale of 1903 Mt. Newton to finance the building of the new municipal hall. For developers, the amount they will be willing to pay for the land will depend on how much revenue they expect to get from selling residential and commercial units on the property. Developing this important, central piece of property should not be determined by how much money Council will get for it.
Council is planning the PUBLIC HEARING for the required OCP change and rezoning change, for February 23!!! What is the hurry? This is a District initiated rezoning for publicly owned land. Just as with any other re-zoning request, we deserve to see drawings, site plans, site coverage, parking ratios etc. All of this should be completed by staff before asking for a re-zoning.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Write to Mayor and Council to tell them what you think should be built there, and ask them to delay the Public Hearing until a time when they can present a fully thought-out project and infrastructure plan that we can comment on. Write to: [email protected]
