Videos of previous proposals
Four of the ten proposals Four proposals have been formally presented or reviewed. Two, unfavourably, presented to the James Bay Association CALUC meeting, and Two, again unfavourably, reviewed by City Council The videos: The first proposal was presented to the 12th April 2023 CALUC meeting https://youtu.be/VZWP26L3Bs0 View the letter sent to Mayor and Coucil following […]
Hopefully OCP-2050 will put an end to outlandish proposals
Hopefully OCP-2050 will put an end to outlandish proposals Repeated non-responsive submissions waste staff time, Council resources, and taxpayer dollars and cause unnecessary stress for adjacent residents and the broader neighbourhood. 1st proposal presented to JBNA CALUC in April 2023; 6 storeys, 24 units. 1st submission to the Planning Dept., September 2023; 4-1/2 storeys, 11 […]
Council lacks transparency
Victoria council lacks transparency about zoning Times Colonist, 15th January 2026; OpEd by the President of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association In effect, rights have been transferred from the community of residents to the community of for-profit developers. Trevor Moat Victoria city council members seemed quite surprised on Oct. 16, 2025, to discover that the […]
James Bay Heritage Homes
James Bay Heritage Homes Note that the majority of heritage homes are located east of Menzies St and within the Priority Growth Area. Staff are considering designating James Bay as an Heritage Conservation Area HCA). Additionally City staff are considering an application to designate lower Government St, as an HCA All variances should be denied […]
Relevant OCP references
Relevant OCP references OCP Schedule 2A, General Urban Design Guidelines 1.1. Purpose and UseThese guidelines are meant to guide form and character of multi-family residential, commercial and industrial developments and to support the evolution of neighbourhoods, villages and key transportation corridors throughout Victoria. This includes ensuring individual development projects enhance and do not compromise development […]
Extreme variances requested make a mockery of the OCP
The extreme variances requested made a mockery of the intent of the OCP Variances requested: Side setback: a 9m is required on both North and South sides – a reduction to only 1.55m was requested on the North side and a reduction to only 2.19m setback is requested for the South side. Rear setback: a 8.6m is required […]
Single staircase egress not supported
Single staircase egress is not supported The latest proposal has eliminated the second staircase and will only provide a single means of egress in the event of a fire. Although the Provincial Government recently altered the BC Building Code to remove the code requirement for a second egress or exit stairwell in buildings up to […]
James Bay as an HCA?
City of Victoria explores heritage designation for James Bay neighbourhood At the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 6, 2025, a motion was put forward requesting that staff investigate the possibility of designating James Bay as a Heritage Conservation Area. The motion, which was passed, included the recommendation: “That Council direct staff, as part […]
Government St Heritage Conservation Area
The proposed Government Street Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) The application to have the southern potion of Government Street designated as a Heritage Conservation Area was submitted to the City on 1st December 2022. Extracts from the application follow. The completed application form can be viewed here Click on images to enlarge Reasons for the Lower […]
Councillor’s negative view of the proponent
Councillor Caradonna’s view of the the proponent Below is an extract of the video from the 12 December 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. During the discussion of the Menzies Street proposal Councillor Caradonna contrasted behaviour of the Menzies and Government Street proponents. “study in contrast”, 50 Government proponent was “intransigent”, “unwilling to work with staff”, […]