District of Saanich-Official Community Plan

4.2.4 NeighbourhoodsSaanich is composed of diverseneighbourhoods that provide a rangeof living environments. For the mostpart, Saanich neighbourhoods are lowdensity, composed predominantly ofsingle family housing. Multiple familydevelopments within neighbourhoodstend to be located along establishedtransportation routes or adjacent to asignificant amenity.While the majority of future growth inSaanich will be focused on “Centres”and “Villages,” residential infill willcontinue to take place on a limitedscale. Successful infill developmentsmust take into consideration thecapacity of transportation andunderground services to accommodateMcRae Avenue ~ looking westchange and the existing characterof neighbourhoods. Maintenance of neighbourhood character is of paramount importance whenconsidering new developments within established areas. Building style, exterior finish, massing, andheight, and maintenance of contiguous tree cover, are factors that impact on the ability of a newdevelopment to integrate into established neighbourhoods.One of the issues that will need to be addressed if Saanich is to become a more sustainable communityis the continued improvement of bicycle, walking, and transit amenities within and between lowerdensity neighbourhoods and “Centres”, “Villages” and major employment nodes. A broader rangeof housing forms in neighbourhoods – by type, tenure, and price – will also ensure residents haveaccess to more affordable housing. A range of housing types within neighbourhoods will also allowresidents to age within their existing neighbourhoods, rather than having to move away from theirlocal community and support system.4-20