Saanich has released a rough timetable for the Nellie McClung affordable housing project after the project received final approval for rezoning by the district council on June 17.
According to a press release from the district, the design phase for the project is supposed to take place this summer and fall, with demolition and construction to happen between 2025 and 2028.
The plan is for a new library to be built on the bottom floors of a building that will be up to 18 storeys and have up to 210 units of affordable rental housing. The new library is planned to be between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet, or roughly double the size of the current facility.
“This is a first-of-its-kind project for Saanich using district property to build affordable housing, and council couldn’t be more excited about it,” Mayor Dean Murdock said in the news release from the district.
The building's units would be split up into different affordability levels, ranging from deep-subsidy units to mid-level market-rate rentals. The plan is for 70 per cent of the apartments to be offered as rent-geared-to-income units, and a funding agreement stipulated they must stay that way for 60 years or the life of the building, whichever is less.
District staff are currently working on finding a temporary site for the library to relocate to while construction is underway.
"We will work closely with the District of Saanich to ensure minimal disruption for our patrons during this transition," said Andrew Appleton, Greater Victoria Public Library Board Chair, through the news release.
The rezoning – passed unanimously by council – does not issue a development or building permit. Those decisions will need to be made later in the process.
