A plan to double the size of the Nellie McClung library branch and add an up-to-18-storey tower of affordable housing took a step forward on Monday, as Saanich council unanimously endorsed a rezoning application for the project.
“This is one of the most ambitious affordable-housing projects in the region, and the fact that Saanich is using land that it owns and putting that forward for a project deserves to be championed,” said Coun. Colin Plant. Saanich will provide the land and will pay to rebuild the library using its Growing Communities Fund, while B.C. Housing will provide $30 million to the Capital Region Housing Corporation to build the affordable housing.
“We can use this as a way to renew some of our assets and facilities that are amenities to the community and use that space to eliminate some significant costs to housing — the cost of land.”