Traffic, transit issues major concerns at proposed Cordova Bay development
The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs has traffic concerns related to a commercial and residential development proposed for the Tru Value plaza by developer James Gardiner.
But a lot of the criticism for the way vehicles access the site at Doumac Avenue and pedestrians cross Cordova Bay Road to the beach are issues that the association needs to take up with the District of Saanich or B.C. Transit, said development architect Alan Lowe.
For instance, the association said in a lengthy letter to Saanich that a bus pullout is required on Cordova Bay Road to prevent traffic backup at both Doumac and Cordova Bay. “We agree with this concern, but it is our understanding that this is not the wish of B.C. Transit. We would be pleased to have further discussions with them, but we may not be able to convince them that this is the better option, said Lowe.
B.C. Transit said in a statement: “At the appropriate time, B.C. Transit and Saanich staff will discuss what transit facilities are appropriate in the context of the development and any other transportation considerations for all transportation modes.”
The association also says the lack of a left turn from Cordova Bay Road into the residential section of the building at the south end of the development would require residents to enter off Doumac and travel through the shopping area before going underground to park.
With no left-turn lane exiting from that building onto Cordova Bay Road, residents would need to turn right and travel to Claremont Avenue, Royal Oak Drive or undertake illegal U-turns to go north, or retrace though the shopping area and pedestrians there, the association said.
Lowe said in an email that he agreed with the concerns and “we agree that there should be a left turn exiting from the building off Cordova Bay Road. We have been working with our traffic consultant and their traffic data shows that a left turn into the underground parking would be appropriate. We need to work with Saanich engineering to agree that this should be done.”
Lowe said that most customers will use surface parking while residents will head underground to park. “If we are able to secure the left-turn lane off Cordova Bay Road, many of your concerns would be alleviated,” he told the association.
The development makes no provision for a sidewalk or crossing light for pedestrians crossing Cordova Bay Road to the beach, the association said, something that would improve safety given that Doumac is the primary exit and entrance for the plaza.
Lowe said that Saanich staff have advised that they do not support a traffic light or crosswalk at this point as there are no sidewalks on the east side of Cordova Bay Road. “We would be pleased to work with Saanich and other future development projects to look at this corner,” he said.
Harley Machielse, Saanich director of engineering, said the district is “in discussions with the applicant regarding any offsite improvements.
“It’s too early for us to comment ahead of council’s consideration on what might be possible without fully understanding the impacts,” said Machielse. “In general, whenever we are reviewing potential changes to the transportation network, we need to evaluate it by considering existing traffic data, transportation engineering standards, and impacts to other modes of transportation.”
Gardiner Construction submitted an application in January to replace the 1960s plaza with a commercial-residential development that needs Saanich council’s approval to amend a 1998 permit for 16 condos to allow 88 condos in three levels atop the commercial space.
Another group with the support of about 100 people called Cordova Bay Vision, wants to see a comprehensive roadway capacity plan for Cordova Bay, rather than project by project along what is supposed to be “a semi-rural road along the seaside,” said spokesman Colin Millard.