In the News: February 2019

A collection of development related articles from various newspapers and magazines.

Commercial real estate remains hot commodity – Feb 28, 2019
Value seen in Victoria, compared to ‘over-inflated Vancouver’

Expect fewer sales, prices to inch higher – Feb 27, 2019
The number of Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island residential sales are expected to continue slipping this year — but to a lesser extent than in 2018 — while prices are forecast to inch up slightly, according to a new report from the B.C. Real Estate Association.

8 Things Your Town Can Do to Add More Housing (Without Spending a Dime) – Feb 27, 2019
Housing affordability is often treated as a “big city” problem. The reality is that housing affordability is a nationwide issue, affecting big cities, suburbs, and small towns alike.

The mortgage ‘stress test’ has started harming Canadians more than it helps – Feb 26, 2019
Opinion: It’s effectively closing the door in the faces of first-time homebuyers

Oak Bay’s desire for revitalization clashes with neighbourhood opposed to a 4-storey apartment – Feb 25, 2019
The mayor favours more development, but community opposition to church’s project is fierce

Dan Fumano: The ‘ticking time bomb’ threatening affordable rental homes – Feb 25, 2019
“We will never, ever renovict someone … But the ticking time bomb now for a lot of these older buildings is the bottom line is going the wrong way quite quickly.”

Affordable Langford condos launch second phase of Triple Crown project near Costco – Feb 22, 2019
With price points focused on first-time buyers and investors in search of rental holdings, the second phase of affordable condominiums at Langford’s Triple Crown development near Costco is the latest entrant to the south Island’s pre-sale market.

Fire damaged Traveller’s Inn Motel-turned-rental complex listed for sale at just below $20M – Feb 21, 2019
A former Traveller’s Inn Motel property damaged by fire in 2016 has been listed for sale by Victoria landlord and city council candidate Robin Kimpton

Seeing the Urban Forest for the Trees – February 20, 2019
It is important to focus on forests rather than individual trees when evaluating trade-offs between infill and sprawled development.

Who Would Live in “Missing Middle” Housing? The Middle Class – Feb 13, 2019
Putting sticker prices on the fourplexes Oregon might re-legalize.

Study claims older homeowners are preventing millennials from buying houses. But is that true? – Feb 13, 2019
Are senior homeowners preventing millennials from buying houses?

Snow shuts down construction sites – Feb 13, 2019
Construction projects requiring outdoor work are slowing or have been shut down until weather improves on Vancouver Island.

The Problem with Helicopter Urbanism – Feb 12, 2019
In his book The Art of Building Cities, Camillo Sitte explains that the best architects design the most impressive buildings and streetscapes from the angles where they first come into view to give a grand first impression

13 mayors urge B.C. to act on commuter rail – Feb 7, 2019

Immediate action is needed to get passenger trains running on the E&N Rail line between Langford and Victoria, the region’s 13 mayors say in an appeal to Premier John Horgan for funding in the upcoming provincial budget.

How NIMBYs Made ‘Back Yard’ Mean ‘Entire Neighborhood’ – Feb 6, 2019
What part of a city or community makes up somebody’s “back yard”? NIMBYs think it’s the whole thing.

More affordable rentals on the Westshore: BC Housing acquires two newly built Langford apartment complexes – Feb 6, 2019
A duo of nearly completed Westshore apartment buildings have been purchased by BC Housing

Affordable oceanfront: Phase 7 of Sooke’s Heron View townhome community now selling – Feb 5, 2019
The latest phase of oceanfront townhome residences at a masterplanned community in Victoria’s Westshore suburb of Sooke are move-in-ready and value-focused

Rental project for Indigenous people to fill 12-year-old crater in Colwood – Feb 5, 2019
A giant hole that has marred Colwood’s Wale Road for years will be the future site of 124 affordable rental units for Indigenous people.

Real-estate market cools off – Feb 2, 2019
House prices have taken a small drop in the capital region.

How walk-first cities are saving lives – Jan 31, 2019
Prioritizing pedestrians over cars means everyone wins