Province approves water lot for controversial Songhees marina

By: Carla Wilson
Victoria, B.C. - The province of B.C. is granting water lot tenure to the developers of the controversial Victoria International Marina in front of Songhees.

This is a key step in the eventual development of the project. But even with this announcement Thursday, the proposed 29-slip marina still needs approval from Transport Canada and permits from the city of Victoria before proceeding.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is offering an initial two-year licence of occupation to the developer, stated a release. WAM Development Group and Victoria developer Bob Evans are partners in the project.

This licence of occupation is for the water lot in the harbour and will stay in place until construction is finished and a site survey is carried out. The water lot will house the floating docks where the vessels will tie up.

After construction is completed, the developer will be offered a 45-year lease, the release said.

“The province worked closely with federal and municipal governments and carefully reviewed the information received through the tenure application process to ensure all relevant issues were considered prior to making a decision on the application,” the government said. “This included reviewing federal reports, city of Victoria zoning and public comments.”

Citizens and some elected officials rallied to fight the initial plan for a 52-slip marina for luxury yachts. Public meetings were held, petitions signed, and protests staged.

Angry citizens cited loss of views, negative impacts on navigation and the environment, and decreased safety in an already busy harbour doing double duty as an airport for float planes. Citizens spoke against the idea of using the city’s well-known harbour as a place to moor multimillion-dollar yachts.

In September, the city of Victoria responded by downzoning the water lot to limit the size of the marina between Paul Kane Place and Cooperage Place.

Proponents argued that the marina would enhance the region’s tourism industry, provide work for local ship repair and vessel servicing businesses, and would result in well-heeled boaters spending money in the economy on everything from food to art.

Transport Canada had asked the developer to provide detailed design plans and solicited further comment from the public. Plans show more detail on paddling boat clearance and routes at high and low tides around and through the marina. Tides marks relating to the marina wharfs and buildings are also illustrated.

The project includes two buildings on water lots already owned by the developer. Commercial uses are planned for those properties. Zoning is in place but a development permit is needed from the city prior to construction.

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