Get creative about housing

The City of Victoria is trying to get creative about solving the housing crisis, and long-dead city councillors are haunting the process. Mayor Lisa Helps suggested last month that the redevelopment of the Crystal Pool might be an opportunity to put a dent in the housing problem. Since the city will likely have to build a parking lot for the new building, she asked staff to look into the possibility of turning a surface lot into a parkade with as many as six floors of affordable housing on top.

It seemed like a good idea, as finding space for housing on Victoria’s increasingly squeezed land base is a challenge. Unfortunately, the staff report burst that bubble.

In 1906, the bylaw that set aside Central Park specified it be preserved “for park purposes and for the recreation and enjoyment of the public.” A parking lot might be acceptable, but affordable housing just can’t be squeezed into the definition of “park” or “public enjoyment.”

The defenders of the park would not stand for housing on its green space.

On Thursday, councillors decided that even parking would take away too much green space.

Instead, they directed staff to investigate parking options for the new pool, including the possibility suggested by Coun. Geoff Young of using Royal Athletic Park’s parking lot and possibly building affordable housing over underground parking there.

It’s a creative idea that deserves a serious look.