Design and Sustainability Objectives

Six principles guided the design and sustainability objectives for the site:

INDIGENOUS CONSULTATION:

Consult with Indigenous groups in the spirit of reconciliation and include Indigenous knowledge, perspectives and participation in the project.

• Consultation with local Indigenous Groups helped identify their interest and perspectives on the site and involved Indigenous groups in the development and implementation of the project
• Several opportunities for design elements to highlight cultural and environmental knowledge informed by Indigenous communities

IMPROVED WALKING AND CYCLING EXPERIENCE:

• New boulevards and sidewalks front the property on Watkiss Way and Burnside Road.
• Grade and alignment of the Galloping Goose Trail has shifted east, straightening the corner and reducing the grade making the trail safer and more accessible.
• A new trailhead on the north west corner of the property has created a decorative plaza area that helps reduce conflicts between trail and intersection users and enhances the public realm.
• Two new transit shelters have been installed. One on Watkiss Way and one on Burnside.

NEIGHBOURHOOD INTEGRATION:

Respect the qualities of the host neighbourhood by designing a site, building and landscaping that integrate well and enhance the neighbourhood. Consider and mitigate potential visual, safety and other impacts of the development on the surrounding area.

• Responsive to community feedback, the main building has been located adjacent to the highway – the furthest possible distance from neighbouring properties
• The state-of-the-art building was informed by the Town of View Royal form and character guidelines and includes West-Coast design elements to respond to View Royal’s neighbourhood character and context. The one-storey building includes offices and vehicle maintenance bays.
• Employee parking is provided onsite.
• The BC Hydro transmission tower has been upgraded and shifted north
• A vehicle wash bay and temporary fueling kiosk are located onsite. Once transitioned to a fully electric fleet, the temporary fueling kiosk will be removed.
• Using Security Achieved through Functional Environmental Design (SAFE) principals, landscaping, grading, and 8’ fencing screen the property and create an aesthetically pleasing streetscape.
• Site and building lighting were guided by ‘Dark Skies’ guidelines and regulations to minimize light pollution.
• Turn lanes into the site were added on Burnside Road to mitigate any traffic impacts.
• Landscaping, streetscape improvements and trail realignment occurred first so the community can benefit sooner from new amenities and plants could mature.

GOOD NEIGHBOUR:

Build responsive relationships within the local community and First Nations to inform various elements of the
redevelopment and on-going communications.

• A memorandum of understanding with the Town of View Royal confirms BC Transit’s commitment to follow the spirit and intent of the Town’s development processes, permitting and bylaws.
• A neighbourhood working group worked closely with the project team to inform public engagement opportunities.
• In addition to new sidewalks, landscaping, and Galloping Goose Trail improvements, $150,000 was provided to the Town of View Royal for community amenities.
• Approximately 1.5 acres of land across Watkiss Way was donated to View Royal by BC Transit for a new public amenity, to be determined by the Town.
• The project website and a subscriber-based e-newsletter provide timely project updates.

EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE SERVICE:

Design a site that supports expansion of a sustainable, fully electric handyDART service that improves access to transit for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using fixed-route transit without assistance from another person.

• For those with disabilities that prevent them from driving, handyDART provides independence and ability to attend appointments, complete errands and socialize.
• The need for handyDART service has grown in all Greater Victoria municipalities. This central location helps serve our community’s most vulnerable residents efficiently for the next 25 years.
• Right now, handyDART vehicles are gas and will transition to fully electric fleet as the aging buses are replaced.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN:

Use the redevelopment of this site as an opportunity to repair and restore the ecological function of this part of the Craigflower Creek watershed and design a site and building that can achieve LEED Gold.

• The handyDART centre is the first BC Transit facility built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold requirements.
• LEED principles outline best practices to reduce energy, chemical use, water, air pollution, solid waste, and/or runoff associated with the building site.
• Office areas meet Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code, which is up to 40% more energy efficient than base 2018 BC Building Code.
• A SPEA setback was established from Craigflower Creek, meaning no development occurred within 30 metres of the Creek.
• A seasonal stream on-site was restored, creating an acre of protected riparian area connecting to the creek. It now provides new amphibian and rearing habitat for Coho salmon and other juvenile fish.
• New landscaping enhances biodiversity, creates habitat, and aesthetically screens the property.
• Hundreds of new trees were planted including a mix of mature, fast growing, and native species. Several trees were removed, but were replaced at a “2 to 1” tree replacement ratio.
• Project designs met or exceeded all Provincial and Federal standards for environmental protection.
• Best practices treat the runoff entering the creek from the site: Nine rain gardens, covering 1/3 of an acre, now capture water on site. They clean, cool and slow the flow of water. Traditional stormwater attenuation is designed to manage a 200-year rain event.
• A baseline assessment of the portion of Craigflower Creek that runs through the property, has been conducted pre-construction and made available to local agencies and streamkeepers to assist in future work, advocacy and leveraging grant funding.
• An environmental monitor, independent of the contractor, was retained to oversee all construction.
• This project partnered with Salmon Safe, adding third party verification of the stream restoration practices being implemented.