1 3308 AND 3312 TENNYSON AVENUE - DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AND REZONING APPLICATION
The application would replace two existing buildings with a nine-storey mixed-use building. The applicant described light industrial space on the first two floors, self-storage on several middle floors, and offices on the top floor; the applicant said the first two floors would be 96% industrial. Staff said industrial uses make up about 23% of the building’s total floor space, and questioned whether storage—a use staff treats as commercial—fits the policy goal of protecting industrial land. Staff also said businesses are seeking industrial space in central locations, while the applicant and supporters pointed to the project’s long history, the area’s changing needs and the flexibility of its large open floors. Council recommended that staff prepare the report and bylaw based on the concept as proposed. Staff will continue work on outstanding design and technical issues, including parking and building details; the rezoning and development permit will come back to Council for a decision.
- There is demand for industrial space in Saanich, and the Tennyson area is a valuable central location for it.
- The proposal includes industrial space, while the storage floors raise questions about how much of the building will serve industrial uses.
- Outstanding technical and design details must be resolved before the application returns to Council.
- A resident argued that industrial land should be preserved and that a mostly storage building would provide too few jobs; staff also questioned whether storage fits the policy direction for industrial land.
- Other public speakers and most councillors supported moving ahead, saying the proposal retains industrial space, meets a storage need and could help renew the area.
- Councillor de Vries said current policy alone would point toward a different direction, but supported this application given its history and the demand for storage and industrial space.
Ask staff to prepare a report and bylaw so Council can decide on the proposed nine-storey mixed-use building at 3308 and 3312 Tennyson Avenue, with industrial, office and self-storage uses as proposed.