A huge mixed-use development planned in Mill Bay is “inching” it way through the bureaucratic processes for it to proceed.
The proposed Stonebridge development, which is primarily focused on building residential units, will be going to the board of the Cowichan Valley Regional District at a meeting later in March for consideration of first and second readings for an amendment to the official community plan.
The CVRD’s electoral areas services committee voted unanimously to send the project to the board level in an effort to move the process forward that would see the development of up to 1,000 homes consisting of a variety of housing types constructed over an estimated 15-year build-out period, if approved.
Speaking for the Limona Group which is proposing the project, Wayne Hopkins told the committee at its meeting on March 5 that the developers have been working through the bureaucracy of putting together the pieces of the puzzle that would see the project proceed for 21 months, and working with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit on traffic assessments has been the most gruelling part of the process so far.
“The term ‘decision paralysis’ has been used to describe the situation we’re in,” Hopkins said. “The traffic assessments with the ministry started in 2023 and have gone through at least four sets of eyes and then been handed off to new people who keep asking the same questions that we’ve already answered. However, a staff member at the ministry has begun making decisions at a much quicker rate than before and we have now received preliminary approval for phase one of the project.”
The project is planned for almost 19 hectares of the north section of the Stonebridge lands in the heart of Mill Bay that is roughly bound by Shawnigan Mill Bay Road to the north and Barry Road to the east. It includes the old Pioneer Square Mall property which has sat vacant since the old building burned down in May of 2022.
CVRD staff estimate that based on the land area and existing zoning, the total number of housing units that could be constructed at the site is approximately 753 along with 176 congregate-care seniors housing units that are being planned as part of the project, for a total of 929, but the applicant proposes zoning that would allow a potential build-out of 1,000 units.
In the project summary, the developer said the Stonebridge development would include improvements to the Mill Bay Waterworks District’s infrastructure, including the addition of three water supply wells, supply main upgrading and a new reservoir that will provide storage for peak demands and ability to provide fire protection to the Mill Bay community.
Hopkins told the committee he was hoping that it would direct staff to prepare a draft amendment to the CVRD’s official community plan to allow the project to be presented to the board at its next meeting for its consideration in order to move the process along, and the committee agreed.
“I’m not saying I have a low level confidence with the speed the ministry will continue to operate, but if it gets dragged out further, at least the OCP component will be done,” he said.
Kate Segall, the director for Mill Bay/Malahat and chair of the CVRD board, said she feels the frustration of the developer as the district has had its own issues with the ministry.
She said this type of development has been desired for decades in her electoral area, particularly the seniors congregate care component.
“I have many residents living in beautiful huge farmhouses that really want to downsize and be able to stay in the community,” Segall said. “We need development like this that provides varied housing options for that, so I’m excited to see this move its next inch forward.”
If the board gives the amendments to the OCP the first and second readings, a public hearing will be scheduled.
