Empower Victoria Together
Significant and irrevocable change will occur if the draft Official Community Plan (OCP) is approved. Read on and consider signing the letter below. The Public Hearing is expected to be held in September. Once approved the OCP will be THE neighbourhood plan for the city, allowing for automatic approval of developments that conform to it.
What is in the Draft OCP?
Here are some examples of what you will find in the OCP that could affect your quality of life, the value of your property, the look of Victoria as a tourism destination and your rental space
Linear Parks and Street Plazas to Replace Actual Parks and Green Space
If you live on any of the streets with light green lines or in the brown shaded areas, be aware your street could become a "Linear Parkway" or a "Street plaza". This means that there could be street closures or at best "balanced vehicle access". This is because, as the city says, "opportunities to realize new, large park space will be limited in the coming decades and the demand for public park spaces will grow as denser forms of housing are added". If you are concerned consider sending an e-mail to: councillors@victoria.ca
Affordable?
Victoria City Councillor Dave Thompson argues that zoning for a much denser city full of 4 to 18 storey apartments and condos will reduce prices and create affordable housing. Do you believe this? Where has it happened that a new build is cheaper than the one it replaced? Dave proudly announced in the Times Colonist that council approved 7000 units over the last 2 years. Have prices come down? Do you believe this will solve the affordability problem? If not, consider signing this letter and send a message to Dave that you want truly affordable housing
The Priority of Heritage in the Draft OCP
There are no heritage and conservation guidelines at this time. They will be developed "following Council direction". This indicates the level of priority of this council for heritage; the backbone of our Tourism industry. Heritage is mentioned 57 times in the OCP and yet there is not one example of it being protected anywhere other than the existing few houses in the city that are designated as such. Will the heritage component be done by September? or make it into the final OCP?
London or Langford?
All existing neighbourhood plans in the city will be eliminated. Historic houses and affordable old buildings will go by the wayside for new development. Councillor Jeremy Caradonna says Victoria will likely look more like a miniature London or Paris than a miniature Vancouver or Manhattan. Do you believe this to be true when the plan allows everything that is historic and unique to be replaced with new buildings?
Beware Renters
Victoria Councillor Jeremy Caradonna wants you to support his and council's proposed Official Community Plan (OCP). This plan will accelerate the destruction of affordable old housing and apartment buildings to be replaced with 4 and 6 story condos on every lot in the city-- and up to 18 stories on major roads such as Fort. But don't worry, he says. Displaced tenants would have the right of first refusal to return to a new building, once built, at 20% below market rates. Do you think council is protecting renters enough in the draft OCP?
No Parking you Say?
Parking is mentioned 30 times in the draft OCP but there is no requirement for minimum parking spots for new buildings. Council's new policy regarding transportation in Victoria: Specify a goal of 16% trips by transit and 54% trips by walk, roll and cycle by 2038 for a combined total of 70%; and Specify a goal of 25% trips by transit and 55% trips by walk, roll or cycle by 2050 for a combined total of 80%. Were you asked if you wanted this? or agree to this policy? Is this realistic for the majority of people? If you don't agree send an e-mail to councillors@victoria.ca to register your concern
Proposed Zoning by Right
All neighbourhood plans in the city will be eliminated. The new OCP will be THE neighbourhood plan for the city. Once approved a minimum of 4 stories will be allowed on every lot in the city by right. There are no requirements for parking minimums or plantable green space and access to sunlight for neighbouring buildings is a suggestion; not a requirement. Buildings can be as little as 1.5 metres away from your property line on either side of your house.
New builds will NOT be affordable! Affordable housing (typically found in older buildings on main roads) will be the first to go. Result: more renovictions and demovictions.
Tenants - demand better renter protection!! The proposed OCP only provides you compensation of (i) 2-6 months’ rent (and the 6 months comes only after 20+ years of tenancy) and (ii) a right to return to the new building at 20% below market rents. Better renter protection is possible. City of Burnaby requires (i) developers to cover the difference between current rent and the new rents when they relocate and (ii) a right to a unit in the new building at your old rent.
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Our Mission for Change
Who We Are
We stand against the proposed Victoria Official Community Plan (OCP) that puts the city's future at risk. Join us in advocating for a sustainable and thriving Victoria.
Why Choose Us
The Sustainable Victoria Network is committed to safeguarding the future of Victoria by opposing excessive upzoning that threatens the city's well-being. Our platform empowers Victoria's residents to make their voices heard and protect the city's future. Together, we aim to secure a vibrant and sustainable Victoria for generations to come.
Thank you for your interest in staying connected with us! We may send you periodic updates about our initiatives and events. Rest assured, your email address will remain confidential and will not be shared with any other organization. We appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you informed!