Songhees marina clears key hurdle

By: Carla Wilson

The province of B.C. has agreed to lease a water lot in front of Songhees to the developer of the planned Victoria International Marina.

"It is a very important step for us that gives us certainty of tenure for the marina docks," said Lachlan MacLean, spokesman for WAM Development Group, a partner with local developer Bob Evans in the 29-slip marina.

Before construction begins, approval is required from Transport Canada and a development permit is needed from the City of Victoria.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations announced Thursday that it is offering the developer an initial two-year licence of occupation for a 1.74-hectare water lot.

The first-year rate will be half the annual lease cost of just over $24,000, said Myles Mana, director of authorizations for the ministry's West Coast region.

This licence of occupation stays in place until construction is finished and a site survey is carried out. The water lot will house floating docks for vessels of between 65 and 150 feet. Two buildings on water lots owned by the developer are also planned in the project of between $18 million and $19 million.

After construction, the developer can sign up for a 45-year lease. The annual rent was based on other marinas and will be reviewed every five years, Mana 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," a ministry statement said.

"This included reviewing federal reports, City of Victoria zoning, and public comments."

A 52-slip marina was planned but Victoria downgraded the zoning of the water lot last September to limit its size.

Design changes include the layout of boats to lessen the impact of views from the shore and inserting paddling corridors, Mana said.

The marina proposal sparked community opposition. Critics 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 multimilliondollar yachts.

Proponents argued that the marina would enhance tourism, and boost the economy by boaters spending more at marinerelated businesses and for products such as art and food.

MacLean said geotechnical testing to finalize piling design will likely take place this summer.

He would not give numbers but said some boaters from the Pacific Northwest have put down $10,000 refundable deposits to reserve berths.