District of Saanich-Official Community Plan

4.2.3 Centres & VillagesThroughout Saanich there are a number of areas of existing commercial and multi-family developmentserviced by public transit and adjacent to one or more major roadways. These “Centre” and “Village”nodes range in character, size, and level of completeness, but they all have the potential to becomewalkable centres that meet a variety of resident and neighbourhood needs (Map 4).By focusing new development in “Centres” and “Villages,” Saanich will be better able to meet theobjective of becoming a sustainable community, while accommodating new residents and businesses.Keeping the built environment more compact and avoiding building out into rural and environmentallysignificant lands can also reduce the need for and cost of further extending public infrastructure, andmake walking, cycling, and transit more viable.Sensitivity will be required when addressing land use and design in these more dense nodes. However,appropriate design can ensure that these Centres and Villages reflect what is unique about each area andare interesting and vibrant places to live, work, and enjoy.Major Centres are intended to meet a broad range of community and regional commercial and serviceneeds. Major Centres are served by two or more bus routes, provide a range of multiple family housingoptions, and accommodate institutional uses such as a community centre or library. Major Centresinclude:• Uptown (Douglas Street North Corridor);• University (intersection of McKenzie Avenue and Shelbourne Street);• Royal Oak;• Tillicum – Burnside; and• Hillside (shared with the City of Victoria).Neighbourhood Centres are smaller in scale than a Major Centre and provide a narrower range ofcommercial and service options, primarily focused on the needs of the immediate neighbourhood.A Neighbourhood Centre is typically served by at least two bus routes and includes a range of multiplefamily housing. Neighbourhood Centres include:• McKenzie – Quadra; and• Cedar Hill (intersection of Shelbourne Street and Cedar Hill Cross Road, including sectionsof Shelbourne Street).Cadboro Bay Village4-16