The District of Central Saanich has commenced the process of acquiring a critical parcel of land on Hovey Road to support the goals of redeveloping civic facilities, including municipal offices, fire and police facilities, and possibly other community and recreation amenities. The District considers this strategic acquisition of ‘Lot A’ Hovey Road (no address) as key to moving forward with civic facility development. The approximately 2.2-acre property is currently zoned A-1 (is not in the Agricultural Land Reserve) and is in the Urban Containment Boundary.
Through the Municipal Facility Feasibility Study, a significant land analysis was completed of bare land in the District. This acquisition was determined to be financially necessary for the project.
The District is expropriating the land, however before taking this significant step, the District first made multiple attempts to purchase the property for market value. The District’s appraised value of the property is $3.1 million.
“With limited bare land within the Urban Containment Boundary, the District determined this property is a critical acquisition for the future of the community,” Mayor Ryan Windsor.
Due to the central location and proximity across the street from Centennial Park, this property is a rare parcel in a key community location. In addition, it is on a main roadway serviced by transit.
Considered a last resort, ‘expropriation’ is the legal process by which a government is permitted to take private interests in land for a public purpose when the government and owner are unable to reach an agreement. The process is governed by BC’s Expropriation Act and the process and timelines for notices, approvals, payments and possession dates are directed by the Act.
This is the first step in a long-term approach to redeveloping facilities. The District will be engaging partners and the wider community as it develops concepts for future facilities.
BACKGROUND
Since 2006, the District of Central Saanich has been exploring the feasibility of redeveloping civic buildings. The building that contains Municipal Hall, Fire Station 2, and the Police Station (located at 1903 Mt Newton Cross Road) and the facilities at Municipal Yard (located at 1703 Keating Cross Road) require replacement in the near future to address seismic and accessibility deficiencies and meet post-disaster standards. These facilities are identified in the District’s Facilities Long-term Asset Management Plan (FLAMP) as requiring major rehabilitation or replacement in the next five years.
The 2021/22 Strategic Plan highlighted the need for a study to explore redevelopment. The study is seeking to find ways the sites can best contribute to the vision for the growing community by providing needed community amenities and diverse housing opportunities, in addition to municipal facilities.
Timeline:
- In 2006, the District began to review options for the Municipal Hall redevelopment, which included the Fire and Police Stations.
- In 2009, the Fire Station was selected as the priority and Fire Station #1 was built at the new location at 1512 Keating Cross Road; it was completed in 2013. (Fire Station #1 debt will be repaid in 2025.)
- In 2012, an open house was held to present redevelopment plans for 1903 Mt Newton.
- In 2014, Council considered options for 1903 Mt Newton Cross Road, including the sale of approximately 3 acres for market residential and mixed-use commercial. Council directed that staff plan to expedite repayment of Fire Station #1 debt and postpone any further work on redevelopment of the Municipal Hall site until the Fire Hall debt was closer to being paid off.
- In 2021, a feasibility study for replacement or renewal was identified in the District’s 2021-2022 Strategic Priorities.
- In 2023, the District of Central Saanich feasibility began a study for the replacement or renewal of key municipal facilities: the Municipal Hall including Police Services and Fire Hall #2 and the Municipal Works Yard.
For further information please see Exploring Civic Redevelopment | Engage | Central Saanich (letstalkcentralsaanich.ca)