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This webpage is dedicated to ensuring the Greenspace zoned for Myrtle Avenue is appropriately utilized and protected as envisioned when it was created. INTRODUCTION: A 9 metre landscaped strip of grass and shrubs is required in the zoning bylaw along Myrtle Avenue, yet the City of Victoria has recently approved a development which lead to a 6+ ft high fence, and destruction of the grass which was replaced with gravel and a sandpit.  Greenspace Before Now: 6+ ft Fence And: Gravel, SandpitThis is within the zoning bylaw (C1-L) that states:
WHAT HAPPENED? How could this possibly happen? - good question. We certainly alerted City staff as soon as we saw the fence go up, several of us wrote to and visited the City of Victoria with our concerns, but to no avail. We have been told their decision to allow the development is final. That leaves us with several concerns: the immediate violations, the future of the zoning, and the City process. PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL Having exhausted our exchanges with City staff, we felt it was important that City Council and Mayor become aware of the situation. So, we presented our case to the July 26 City Council meeting. MEDIA July 28 - Victoria News MAP OF AREA: First, here is a map of the area in question.  Location of Myrtle Avenue GreenspaceEARLY HISTORY: Up to the 1960's houses were on both sides of Myrtle. The commercial area along Hillside was allowed to replace the residential with the understanding that a 9 metre landscape buffer (noted in red above) along Myrtle Avenue be maintained to buffer residential uses from the commercial activity. When Romeo's put in a driveway/loading zone in the 1981, the residents felt it violated the understanding. A City of Victoria letter from the City's Planning Officer summarized the history. Also the intention behind the new zoning bylaw was clarified in this City letter, namely:
In lead up to C1-L rezoning application, a commercial business on Hillside expressed its support:
C1-L PUBLIC PROCESS: A public hearing was held on Dec 13, 1984 to gather public input on the development of the new C1-L zoning. Note that John Hutchinson:
The C1-L Zoning was then approved and enacted as a Bylaw on Dec 13, 1984. The boundaries of the C1-L zoning are shown to cover 1537 to 1585 Hillside Avenue. VIOLATIONS: Over the years residents of Myrtle Avenue brought forward issues relating to maintenance of the landscape buffer and commercial activities (trucks, traffic, noise etc.). At the beginning of April 2018, several large trees (over 40 feet) were cut down along Doncaster Greenway and Myrtle Greenspace. Then at the end of May 2018, the construction of a 6+ ft high fence began behind 1537 Hillside Avenue. Then the grass was ripped up and replaced with gravel. [see below]
It looks like a safety issue looming with a gate for commercial access directly to Myrtle - and in addition a potential loading area zoning violation. This development sets a concerning precedent of carrying the fenceline all the way down the street creating a commercial fortress and precluding the opportunity for the residential landscape buffer to exist, as intended, along Myrtle. We exchanged numerous emails with City Staff. We went to City Hall and talked to front desk staff to gather documents and background. We were told it was approved through a Designated Development Permit process with no public process. Eventually, we were told that their decision to allow the development was final, and that we would need to file Freedom of Information Requests to get further information. Violations/issues:
SOLUTIONS/ACTIONS: We suggest a number of solutions and actions to rectify the situation:
RECENT TIMELINE July 2018: The City of Victoria approved development leading to destruction of zoned greenspace on Myrtle Avenue. July 26, 2018: Six residents of Victoria present issues of Myrtle St and the C1-L zoning bylaw to Council meeting - Councillor Alto assigned to project. Oct 4, 2018: Committee of the Whole (COTW) report recommended C1-L amendments. Passed at Council meeting. Staff directed to amend C1-L bylaw. Jan 24, 2019: Another COTW report now recommended to send project to Oakland Community Association (OCA). Jan 31, 2019: Passed at Council meeting to send project to OCA. 2019 (Feb-Dec): Nothing done. 2020: Nothing done. 2021: Nothing done. Feb 23, 2022: Nothing done to date. If you would like to us send us comments, please send them to myrtlecomments@blockcommunities.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||