RE: Proposed Bylaw No. 1883 for 26278 Sooke Road (duplicate submission)

RE: Proposed Bylaw No. 1883 for 26278 Sooke Road (Z19-0023)

Date

June 29, 2020

From

Alderglen Place
Victoria, BC

To whom it may concern,

RE: Proposed Bylaw No. 1883 for 26278 Sooke Road (Z19-0023)

In response to the Notice of Public Hearing, for the above property and bylaw amendments, as residents of the Alderglen Place and surrounding community for three years, we are writing to express our concerns with this application and proposed bylaw changes.

Our main concerns are related to the parking exit from the proposed apartments onto Southglen Drive. Currently, the ‘no exit’ road from Ernhill Drive onto Southglen Drive and ending at Alderglen Place has no infrastructure in place to support this change. There are many families with young children who live in this area. These families are often seen riding bikes or scooters, playing basketball or football, and playing in the cul-de-sac and the nearby park. Opening up Southglen Drive for access to the proposed C9 complex will substantially increase the flow of traffic through the already poorly lit and unsafe roads. In poor winter conditions, like we have seen the past few years, the Ernhill Drive hill is difficult to drive up or down and would be considerably unsafe with increased use.

Approval of an access point to this proposed development from Southglen Drive will not only lead to increased traffic flow, but also an increase to parking congestion. Most families in this community own more than one vehicle and one or two recreational vehicles. There is already limited street parking spaces available. The requested bylaw amendment, to decrease the number of parking stalls per unit from 2.25 to 1.25, is an unrealistic option that will leave apartment residents parking on surrounding streets and contributing further to congested streets in the surrounding area.

We purchased our home in this area because we were attracted to the quiet and peaceful community. Passing this bylaw change will negatively affect the value of our home and others in our community due to the associated increased traffic and parking congestion.

Although we fully support the growth of the city of Langford and understand the need for affordable housing, we are strongly against the proposed, new building having an access through Southglen Drive. We request that the city of Langford and the developer of the proposed C9 zone work toward another option that would leave Ernhill Drive, Southglen Drive and Alderglen Place with the same, safe and peaceful community-vibe that we fell in love with years ago.

Thank you for your consideration,