Songhees marina project seeks approval for commercial buildings

By Carla Wilson

The developer of a luxury yacht marina is seeking municipal approval to construct two related ship-shaped commercial buildings on concrete platforms and pilings at Songhees in Victoria's harbour.

City staff are recommending that councillors approve a development permit that would allow two, one-storey buildings to go up on water lots, one at the foot of Paul Kane Place and the other at the foot of Cooperage Place.

WAM Development Group and developer Bob Evans are partners in the project to construct the buildings and a 29-slip marina, estimated to cost up to $19 million in total.

The development permit comes before Victoria's governance and priorities committee on Thursday. If successful at that level, it will go forward to council for approval.

Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said Monday: "We are limited to analyzing what's known as form and character — does the design fit within the general form and character of the neighbourhood."

These sites are already zoned for the planned use. A public hearing is not part of the development permit stage, Fortin said. A development permit allows a property owner to obtain a building permit.

Approval should be contingent on the developer registering a statutory right-of-way for public walkways wrapping around each building, and on the availability of unobstructed parking space, staff said.

The developer owns 48 spaces in the lot at the adjacent Royal Quays condominium project and has also offered to paint 90-degree parking spaces on Cooperage Place and Paul Kane Place to allow for 46 spots.

Each building is designed to mimic the lines of a ship and would feature masts and cables. The exterior would be glass and metal. Large windows would surround the building. A paddling route would be created underneath the buildings.

The Cooperage Place building would be 6,724 square feet, with half to contain a 94-seat restaurant and the other half for marine retail use.

A slightly larger building, at 7,131 square feet, is planned for Paul Kane Place. It would include marina concierge services and offices, a coffee shop and cafe, and a marine chandlers.

The development permit is one of three approvals required.

In June, the province agreed to lease the water lot where the marina would be located to the developer.

Also needed is a green light from Transport Canada.

"We are working hard to have a formal decision as soon as possible," Jillian Glover, Transport Canada spokeswoman, said Monday. "At this stage the project is still under review."

Lachlan MacLean, WAM spokesman, said from Vancouver that a timeline has not yet been determined, given that all the approvals have not come in.

First on the agenda would be to dredge about 28,000 cubic metres of material, he said. It would go to an approved on-land disposal site.

Pilings for both the buildings and marina would be then installed at the same time, followed by construction of buildings and docks, MacLean said.

Audrey Whittall, who holds the harbour portfolio with the Vic West Community Association, said opposition to the development has been consistent and remains alive, with issues including views.

This development ignited controversy in the community, where many residents are opposed to the project, saying it will affect their views, hurt the environment and add extra traffic in an already busy harbour.

Proponents say it will attract tourists, help marine-related businesses and fill a need for moorage for larger yachts.

The water lots were downzoned in the 1990s by the city after residents complained about plans by then-developer Pacific National Investments Ltd. to build two, three-storey buildings on stilts.

Legal action followed, with the Supreme Court of Canada deciding in 2004 that Victoria must pay the developer $1.6 million.

Another zoning change took place in September, when the city downgraded the zoning of the marina area, thus reducing the size of the moorage from 52 slips to 29