Capital Culture District
The Capital Culture District is a 6.7 acre site that borders both Burnside Gorge and the downtown neighbourhoods of Victoria, British Columbia. A Rezoning Application which outlines a proposed Comprehensive Development Area has been submitted to the City of Victoria and is live on the Development Tracker website. The proposed land use includes a mix of light industrial, technology, commercial, marine, residential, arts and cultural uses. Three heritage registered buildings exist on this site and will be preserved and adapted for new use. The Capital Culture District is comprised of the following civic addresses: 1824, 1900, 1907, 1908, 1924, 2010 Store Street and 530 Chatham Street.
The shores of this area are on the homelands of the Lekwungen speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The vision for this urban design plan intends to acknowledge and respect the presence of both indigenous and colonial histories of the site.
Vision + Design
The vision for this site is aligned with the City's long-term plan (Victoria 3.0) to design a sustainable city that will help build an inclusive, innovative, and resilient future for Victoria. Within this plan, the Arts and Innovation District is proposed for the north end of downtown adjacent to the harbour.
The overarching goal for this space is to create a successful urban development and to help facilitate a diverse, resilient local economy. The site will integrate commercial and industrial activities with a wider variety of uses including arts and culture, marine and residential.
A Comprehensive Urban Design Plan
The envisioned plan will breathe new life into this significant urban area and create a place for locals, visitors, businesses and industry. The plan emphasizes public open spaces, pedestrian and cycling networks and a cross-section of site uses that will strengthen the economy, bring vibrancy to the street and the waterfront and enhance the cultural elements of the area. The proposed plan looks to improve the interface and connections with the surrounding blocks and the Downtown core, bringing new life to the North end of town.
The development of this site is proposed to be done in phases with the first step being a Comprehensive Development Plan for the area that will seek zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments to support the scope of what is planned. Future phases and approvals will focus on the details of buildings and public realm, while this initial stage looks to the overarching uses and general zoning characteristics.
View of the Flour and Rice Alley from Store Street
View looking towards the Capital Iron building along Chatham Street
Design Considerations
PUBLIC REALM
Emphasis is placed on the public realm with public open spaces paired with commercial and residential uses to maximize the public realm potential. Proposed plazas for gathering and community activities, access to the waterfront and an integrated and thoughtfully landscaped pedestrian network will make this space inviting for people to visit and spend time in.
SUSTAINABILITY + ENVIRONMENT
Rain gardens, natural filtration and sedimentation methods will have the potential to improve water quality before leaving the site in an environmentally responsible way. Maintaining existing trees along Government Street is one of the primary goals as well as ensuring a diverse and resilient urban tree canopy.
SPACE TO MOVE
The plan includes pedestrian access to the harbour, bicycle lanes along Store Street, extension of the Harbour Pathway and re-direction of truck traffic away from Store Street. This circulation network allows for people to access and experience the space in a variety of ways. Underground parking is also proposed which will allow for visitors to park and enjoy the area on foot.
HERITAGE
Heritage preservation that commemorates and celebrate the area's First Nations traditional and post-colonial trade, industry and manufacturing histories. Buildings at 1824, 1900 and 1910 Store Street (current locations of Valhalla Pure, Victopia, Capital Iron and Hands on Clay Collective) will be preserved, eventually adapted for compatible use and subject to conservation plans prepared for each building.
A Focus on Arts, Innovation + Technology
An art gallery, live-work space for artists and a variety of light-industry, commercial and marine uses are envisioned for the site. This mix of use encourages a dynamic area that is focused on innovation and culture. Intentional integration of purpose-built spaces for studios and live-work are proposed to support the local arts and technology communities in Victoria. The waterfront edge also provides space for marine based businesses contributing to Victoria’s working harbour and economy.
THE ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria will become an integral part of this development. It’s presence will bring a vibrancy and a connection between artists and the community. The downtown location of the Gallery contributes to the desire to enhance the cultural and artistic elements of this downtown area, creating a place for all generations, visitors and locals, artists and art-lovers. The adjacent public square creates a space to gather and to celebrate through local events, the culture of Victoria.
Process
On May 8th, 2023, an updated rezoning application was submitted to the City of Victoria, this started the formal review process with the City. This rezoning process will include City of Victoria review as well as a final Council approval. Prior to council review and approval, there will be opportunity for members of the public to provide input and be engaged in this process.
The property borders both the Rock Bay Neighbourhood, part of the Burnside Neighbourhood, and the Downtown Neighbourhood (See Map). This plan outlines the intended general use and overall experience for this space and is the first step in getting this proposal built. Some specific details pertaining to heights, setbacks, overall use (such as art gallery, marine, light-industrial, residential, live-work spaces, etc), and the defining of an open space and circulation network.
Sketch of public square at the corner of Store St. and Chatham St.
Other specifics such as the treatment of heritage structures, circulation plans (bikes, pedestrian and cars) and the continuation of the David Foster Harbour Pathway are also considered. A formal re-zoning application has been submitted to the City, launching the formal rezoning application process.
If approved, zoning and OCP amendments will take place and subsequent Development Permit and Building Permit Applications will be submitted for each structure on the site.
Rezoning Application Process
Pre-Application
City Staff Review
Council Consideration
1. Pre-Application
- Initial concept shared with Community Association Land Use Committees - CALUC (Burnside-Gorge Neighbourhood Association and Downtown Resident's Association) [Complete: July 20, 2021]
- Initial engagement with Community Associations (CALUC) and other community groups [Complete: July 20, 2021]
- Initial concept submitted to the City of Victoria [Complete: August 26,2021]
- City of Victoria posts on the Development Tracker website [Complete: August 26,2021]
- Development signs placed at the site [Complete: September 3, 2021]
- Burnside Gorge and Downtown Resident's CALUC Meeting [Complete: Sept 21, 2021]
2. Application Review
- An updated application incorporating responses to City comments, submitted and shared on the Development Tracker [Complete: May 8, 2023]
- Review with City of Victoria planning department [In progress]
- Community engagement events will take place
- Referral to advisory panels
- Revisions based on feedback and engagement
- City staff submit recommendation to council
- Council meetings are set
3. Council Determination
- Committee of the Whole Meeting(s)
- Public Hearing (hosted by City of Victoria)
- Council deliberation and decision
- Adjustments to zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP)
Once the rezoning application is approved, each building will go through an approval process to obtain a Development Permit and Building Permit.
Engagement
Community engagement is an important part of this process. We want to connect and engage with a wide range of community members, visitors, businesses and interested parties in the development of this proposal.
The first step in the development of this site is to get an approval of the vision and concept through a Comprehensive Development Plan. Design of the specific buildings and their uses will come in later phases. Our goal is to start the conversation with the community early on in the design process. We are seeking to understand the local interests for this area so that this space can become a place that everyone enjoys.
We are still working out the specifics of our community events, but through this process there will be a variety of ways for you to participate. These include community meetings (CALUC), a public open house, interactive engagement through this website, and a City of Victoria Public Hearing.
If you are interested in participating, please connect with us at social@relianceproperties.ca.
Upcoming Dates
- Early May: Committee of the Whole meeting - project gets presented to Council by Staff.
Past Engagement Activities
- September 21, 2021: Burnside Gorge / Downtown Residents Community Association Land Use Committee Meeting (CALUC)
- City of Victoria Engage - Online Feedback Survey. Submissions were received by the City from September 13 - October 3, 2021. Comments have been shared with the development team.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Community Associations
The site is split between two neighbourhoods:
These groups organize engagement sessions with the development team and will provide input to the City of Victoria based on what their community members are saying about the proposal. We encourage you to participate with your neighbourhood associations as you are able.
City of Victoria
If you are curious about the City of Victoria requirements for engaging with the community on developments, please visit their website.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to participate.
Plans and Policies
Neighbourhood Plans
The majority of the land for this project lies in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood, with the southern portion of the harbour front block located in the Downtown Area.
City of Victoria Zoning Regulation Bylaw
City of Victoria's zoning bylaws regulate land-use, type and size of buildings, minimum lot sizes, landscaping, and off-street parking for bikes and cars. The Capital Culture District is regulated by Zoning Regulation Bylaw (No. 80-159).
For reference, the current site zoning includes M3: Heavy Industrial District, M3-G: Government Heavy Industrial District and CA-3C: Old Town District.
Official Community Plan
The city of Victoria's Official Community plan (OCP) is a framework that helps guide and inform future land-use decisions in our city.
Victoria 3.0
In keeping with the aspirations of the City as articulated in the Victoria 3.0 Initiative, a wide variety of uses are envisioned in the Comprehensive Development Plan. Buildings and floor area designated by zoning for various uses, have been calibrated and balanced with the intention of fostering truly mixed and vibrant patterns of human activity. Some of these land uses include:
- Arts and culture, with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria having submitted a letter of Intent to have a location within the proposed site
- General employment (commercial and light industrial uses)
- Live/work space for artists with exhibition and communal workshop space
- Marine related industry
- Residential (market rental/strata)
Stay Informed
Receive updates when there are opportunities for public engagement so that you can have an impact on the future design of your community.
