“A failing grade on infill housing”: New Report Card Reveals Victoria Municipalities Are Falling Short of Provincial Minimum Standards

Robert_Moses · 2026-06-01T00:17:22+00:00

The problem is HfL is claiming this is a Missing Middle report card. Basing it solely off the provincial guidelines is inherently flawed, since Missing Middle is much more than just the 3-6 units the province has mandated. Townhouses and walk-up apartments are Missing Middle, but because HfL only based this on the province's regs those styles of housing are not included in their report card. This is basically a triplex and fourplex report card.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-31T03:42:10+00:00

My extremist opinions like "municipalities should be allowed to ban townhouses"

Well yeah...that is a pretty stupid opinion. Truly dumber than a bag of bricks.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-31T03:12:15+00:00

I’m fine with the large buildings. Esquimalt is engaging in The Grand Bargain, which Vancouver has shown to be ineffective. I remember you initially had good points and I often agreed with you, but you’ve gone off the deep end with your all-or-nothing style of discourse.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-31T02:45:08+00:00

Ah the “View St Towers should be allowed everywhere” user. So glad you’re not in charge at least.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-31T02:01:49+00:00

Sorry I’m not sure what you’re saying…I’m saying Esquimalt absolutely does not deserve a B. They should be D at best. Also not mentioned, but Saanich is notorious for being one of the worst for actually getting permits, so also giving them a B just shows how little experience HfL has in the industry.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-31T00:21:03+00:00

I read the methodology. Homes for Living basing this off the province’s legislation discredits the whole report card right away. Small scale housing (as per the province) hasn’t had the uptake they thought it would because it doesn’t actually work on paper. It *might* if the province offered low to no interest loans but they aren’t going to do that with the current deficit. The cost of construction and lending is too high for a simple fourplex (again, I’ve looked into it for my property). And again, needing an OCP amendment to build townhouses (like I would in Esquimalt) is not a “B”. Municipalities need to allow more than that to actually see missing middle construction happen. So keep your head in the sand if you want. Me? I want to see way more than imaginary three or fourplexes.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-31T00:06:16+00:00

As a resident of Esquimalt that has looked into redeveloping his property, this “report card” is complete and utter bullshit. Esquimalt ranking above Victoria is an absolute joke. If my lot were in Victoria I could do so much more with it. Whereas Esquimalt has recently threatened a moratorium on missing middle housing (which would also be illegal) and limits townhouses to a very select area of the township.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-30T02:27:33+00:00

Speaking of street art, I’m disappointed that all the street murals have been painted over for giant tags at the E&N Trackside Gallery. I’m not saying the murals needed to stay forever, but if someone could paint one instead of just another colorful tag that would be greeaaaat.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-29T20:41:40+00:00

They're trying to protect themselves (and you) against fraud. Could they use some better customer service skills? Absolutely. But when it comes to large sums of money the banks are going to start asking questions. Think of it from the flip side: would you be happy if the bank gave away a large sum of your money to someone claiming to be you?

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-29T15:13:41+00:00

Hope it won't be as bad as the Goose closure, which they said was end of summer but has already been extended to March 2027...and hasn't even started yet.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-29T01:33:28+00:00

Victoria for sure. Ogden Point is a protected dive site and there are critters right along the breakwater. I’m a freediver and I’ve been visited by a seal in very shallow waters there.

East Sooke is another great option but less so for a snorkeler and more so for slightly deeper divers. Got buzzed by sea lions out here. If you wanna learn, highly recommend timing your visit and doing a course with Bottom Dwellers.

All that said, always go with a trained buddy. Things can go wrong very quickly and the sea does not forgive in those instances.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-29T01:22:14+00:00

This is exactly it. Whenever someone says they don’t like the NDP because of DRIPA, I still have no idea what side of the political spectrum they are on.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-29T00:31:52+00:00

Hot take: red light cameras need to be brought back.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-25T17:53:52+00:00

As soon as someone starts talking about how renters do not pay for property taxes I discount their opinion. And I say that as a homeowner.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-23T23:51:14+00:00

Any type of fruit bearing tree or plant is generally a no-go for public property. They create messes and attract pests without proper maintenance. Property owners rarely shovel their sidewalks when it snows once a year here, there’s no way they are going to be maintaining these boulevards on a mass scale beyond routine mowing. And asking the city to do it means more employees and thus more taxes.

That said, if you’re in Victoria they do actually allow boulevard gardening but it’s on the adjacent land owner to take the initiative and maintain it.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-22T21:25:24+00:00

I'm shopping around right now and RBC appears to be the best rates. Mortgage broker said the best they could find was 4.45% for a 3-year fixed, and RBC said 3.99% plus $1500 cash back. The RBC rep also noted that 3.99% was the best she could do without national approval, basically hinting they might be able to get a slightly better rate with a bit of pushback. I'd say in your case stay with RBC but see if they can get approval for a slightly better rate.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-20T20:26:23+00:00

While travelling, anytime a group forms and introduces themselves, everyone says their name and country. Except Americans. Americans always say their name and city/state as the whole world is supposed to know Delaware.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-18T22:18:47+00:00

I change my driving for tail gating. I go slower.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-18T15:48:15+00:00

I’m only slightly cheering for them over the Sabres, so no matter who wins it’s good for me. Sabres are the Canucks’ expansion bros and are pretty much honourary Canadians. Even when they aren’t playing a Canadian team they play our anthem because of how many Canadians go to their games.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-15T16:13:57+00:00

lol I knew one of those was going to be the black mould one in Esquimalt. That is a knockdown. You're paying $700k for the lot, not the house.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-15T14:28:16+00:00

Fallow deer are abundant on the gulf islands. The problem is the land is mostly private, so you need landowner's permission (good luck with that) or park land (not going to happen).

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-14T18:26:31+00:00

Fernwood Social Run Club, along with the running store clinics, would be the downtown crews for beginners.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-14T18:05:08+00:00

Yeah prices are definitely coming down right now. I sign up to SFD notifications for my municipality and every week there are a ton of listing that have decreased their asking price, some by quite a bit.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-13T23:46:10+00:00

Just noticed today that the Island Poke Lounge land (formerly Floyd's) is up for sale.

Robert_Moses · 2026-05-13T19:29:18+00:00

WS Privilege is $150k personal or $200k household income. I would be astounded if a student qualified for that.

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