The District of Central Saanich retained CitySpaces Consulting to implement Phase One and Two of a comprehensive four-phase Residential Infill and Densification Study. The purpose of this Study is to implement policies, guidelines and regulations that will foster desirable residential infill in neighbourhoods, and sustainable densification of village centres, in a manner that is sensitive to the character of Central Saanich.
Phase Two of the Residential Infill and Densification Study was intended to formulate enhanced housing policy and guidelines that contribute to sustainable growth and development in the community, while providing a greater understanding of the type of infill that Central Saanich could viably achieve.
CitySpaces partnered with Ramsay Worden Architects, Vann Struth Consulting and Licker Geospatial Consulting Co. to update the Residential Housing Policy section of the Official Community Plan (OCP) and to create Infill Design Guidelines in anticipation of the OCP update. The consulting team applied spatial land use analysis to determine if there is available and suitable land to absorb forecasted development demand. Phase Two of the Residential Infill and Densification Study involved the following key deliverables:
- A Housing Capacity, Needs Assessment and Growth Projections report, which identified housing needs, land capacity, and growth projections and helped to inform the policy development process;
- Infill and Densification Best Practices Report, which assembled best practice case study examples summarizing the location, context, policy, regulatory and design elements of infill design guidelines in comparable jurisdictions; and,
- Revised Housing Policy and Residential Infill Design Guidelines for a variety of typologies.
The Residential Infill and Densification Study involved additional public engagement, including community open houses, a community survey, and a workshop with the Advisory Planning Commission. Feedback received from these sessions was incorporated into the final deliverables. Phase Three and Four of the Residential Infill and Densification Study will be completed by District staff. It is anticipated formal bylaw amendments will be brought back to council for their review in early 2020.
