Link to letter on the Times Colonist website
No excuse for this overdevelopment
Re: “Victoria exceeds first year housing target,” Nov. 15.
The story clearly sets out that Victoria council members have been exceedingly eager to pass through just about every development proposal that has been put in front of them.
All of these proposals have been reviewed by professional staff and were recommended against approving. Council in its zeal has approved the many proposals, to the disappointment of neighbourhoods and professional staff.
Now that the housing target has been exceeded, there is no reason (except perhaps nefarious reasons) for council to approve the proposal in James Bay on Montreal, Quebec and Kingston.
This proposal plans to overbuild on the site by double capacity. A high-end luxury tower and townhomes.
Today, council will once again be informed by staff that the proposal should be declined as inappropriate (as they have already done a number of times in previous stages).
James Bay is overdeveloped and does not need this many units added in an overbuilt development.
The neighbourhood is adamantly against this unnecessary densification, and had made it abundantly clear with hundreds of emails, letters, and in-person presentations to council.
Today, we the residents of Victoria will find out how far the councillors are willing to disregard the taxpayers. The very people that they are proposing a 12% tax hike for.
—Edy Bradley, Victoria