NPNA seeks input on building plans!

As you may know, the North Park Neighbourhood Association has been receiving a significant volume of community inquiries about the proposed United Commons redevelopment at 934 Balmoral. We are reaching out first to current United Commons user groups and neighbors, as the people most directly affected by this proposal.

We are hosting a community meeting where you can share your concerns and questions about the redevelopment proposal.  An NPNA board member will be present to document all community input, which will be communicated to the City of Victoria, the Property Development Council of the United Church of Canada, and Aryze Developments.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 29th

• Time: 6:00 - 8:00PM

• Location: United Commons, Dorien McLeod Room

• Purpose: To discuss concerns and address questions about this development proposal

• Accessibility: Please contact us in advance if you have any accessibility needs so we can make appropriate accommodations.

We will also have time set aside to connect with one another about what comes next, including updates from the NPNA on our advocacy for community space in North Park. We see these as related but distinct conversations, and we want to make room for both.

Depending on interest and capacity, we will be extending the invitation to the broader neighbourhood community as well.

We hope to see you there, please let us know if you hope or plan to attend.

Below is a high-level summary of the project, along with the main concerns raised by the public so far

Project Overview:
The Property Development Council of the United Church of Canada, in partnership with Aryze Developments, is proposing a new faith, arts, and cultural space alongside a six-storey, mixed-use rental building. The proposal includes 129 rental homes and ground-floor commercial space.

As part of the redevelopment, several existing community spaces at the United Commons would be demolished, including office space for current users, the gymnasium, the Fellowship Hall, and the Doreen McLeod Room.

Key Community Concerns:

1. Loss of Community Space

• Existing community-use spaces (gym/stage, Fellowship Hall, Doreen McLeod Room, offices) will be demolished (below in red)
• Community members have raised concerns that remaining space (below in yellow) is limited, with no confirmed low-barrier or dedicated space for current local organizations.
• Residents have expressed concern that the redevelopment shifts the site from a community hub toward a regional arts venue, reducing accessibility for North Park residents.

2. Shifting Project Focus and Ongoing Uncertainty

• Community feedback has reflected concern that the project has shifted from supporting community needs to prioritizing the Victoria Symphony and other regional scale arts organizations.
• There is no commitment at this time from Aryze or the Property Development Council of the United Church of Canada to provide affordable or dedicated space for existing users. The only proposed provision is some form of bookable or shared space for arts, cultural, and community use, but the details of what this would look like remain unclear.
• Residents and current users have expressed that a perceived a disconnect between development partners has contributed to ongoing uncertainty and lack of clarity.

3. Parking and Transportation Impacts

• A 69-stall parking variance is proposed for commercial and assembly uses. Community members have raised concerns that this will be insufficient for events of up to 700 attendees.
• The proposal includes the loss of five on-street parking spaces due to a new boulevard and road narrowing on Balmoral Road, which residents have identified as adding pressure to an already constrained parking environment.
• Proposed transportation demand management measures have been identified by community members as unlikely to fully address demand, particularly during large events.
• Residents have noted that existing parking pressures from smaller-scale events already impact the neighbourhood.

4. Limited Incorporation of Community Feedback

• Community members and CALUC participants have expressed that concerns raised through the engagement process have not been meaningfully reflected in the application.
• A commitment to engage existing user groups was not fulfilled, according to feedback received from existing user groups.
• There is an ongoing perception of inadequate and ineffective engagement.

5. Affordability, Accessibility, and Community Impacts

• There is no secured affordable housing agreement with the City of Victoria or clear provision of fully accessible units.
• Residents have noted that the loss of United Commons as a low-barrier community space is particularly significant given that North Park has no other neighbourhood-serving community space to absorb displaced users or programming
• Concerns have been raised about increased risk of displacement and reduced access for equity-seeking groups as a result of the redevelopment