Salish Grove

The future of housing on Mayne Island — Salish Grove is a 3-acre site and the future home of 10 affordable housing units

Introduction

Mayne Island, home to approximately 1,300 full-time residents, is experiencing rapid growth, outpacing other communities in British Columbia. However, the island faces significant housing challenges: there are no dedicated rental accommodations, social housing, or seniors’ facilities. Historically, seasonally used cottages from the 1960s and 70s provided essential rental options for low-income residents, but as demand has increased over the past decade, many of these properties have been converted into full-time homes or upscale seasonal retreats. Consequently, the availability of rental housing has diminished. Salish Grove aims to address this need.

The Site

Salish Grove is a picturesque three-acre parcel of land situated along Village Bay Road, presenting a unique opportunity to develop affordable housing on Mayne Island. This beautiful property is circled by forest, enhancing its natural charm and creating a serene environment reflecting the stunning beauty of the region. With ample space to envision a community that harmonizes with nature, Salish Grove promises a peaceful retreat in a tranquil setting along with the potential to address the pressing need for affordable housing.

Our Work to Date

MIHS has dedicated the past four years to facilitating the rezoning, subdivision, and title transfer of a three-acre lot donated by Dr. Sean McHugh for the Salish Grove affordable rental project. The process, which began in 2020, involved launching a rezoning application that allowed for the creation of up to ten affordable housing units, and required extensive community engagement, legal work, and over ten professional studies. The rezoning was completed as of summer 2023, and the subdivision application is currently in progress. MIHS has raised over $400,000 through community donations and grants to support the project.

The Design

The goal is to develop 10 units of purpose-built affordable rental housing, prioritizing ecological sensitivity and community needs. The site plan incorporates recommendations from ecological reports while addressing neighbour concerns, featuring and features a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom accessible units that meet Step Code 4 for energy efficiency. Amenities include a community gathering room, outdoor play area, storage, and EV charging stations. There will be access to both the ferry and main commercial area via the walking and cycling pathway adjacent to the lot. The design ensures increased setbacks on all sides, protects ecologically sensitive areas, and includes water retention ponds and habitat preservation efforts, promoting a sustainable and inclusive community.

Next Steps

Next steps for the project include obtaining subdivision approval (underway) from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for the property at 375 Village Bay Rd. The plan is to transfer the title of the three-acre parcel of donated land on Village Bay Rd to the MIHS while simultaneously completing civil engineering design and building permit requirements. Efforts will also focus on raising pre-development and capital funding through grants and community investments, monitoring emerging housing initiatives from various government levels, and conducting community outreach to support homeowners in providing rental housing. 

Join the Waiting List for Salish Grove

Interested in living at Salish Grove? Join the waiting list and receive project updates.

The Consultant Team

MIHS has assembled a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals critical to the success of the project.

  • Preliminary Site Visit – Rob Underhill RPBio, Mayne Island Conservancy

  • Site Survey – Wey Mayenburg Land Surveying Inc.

  • Ecological Assessment – Keith Erickson, RPBio

  • Hydrogeologist – Alan Kohut, P Eng, Hy-Geo Consulting

  • Well Drilling and Flow Testing – Red Williams Well Drilling Ltd

  • Septic Engineering – Brent Davies, P Eng, BWD Engineering and Bradley Fossen, P Eng, Aurora Professional Group

  • Arborist Report – Jen Barsballe, RCA CMA, Beechwood Consultancy and Tree Service

  • Hydrology and Wetlands Remediation Plan – Robin Annschild, Wetland Restoration Consulting

  • Site Plan – Richard Iredale, Architect, AIBC LEED ap MRAIC

  • Stormwater Management Plan – Mike Seymour, P.L.Eng, MSR Solutions Inc

  • Civil Engineering, Driveway and Water Treatment Design - MSR Solutions Inc

  • Housing Consultancy – Kaeley Wiseman, Wiser Projects

  • Legal Services - Mackenzie Curran and Joshua Lam, Sage Legal

  • Excavation - Matt Taylor, Matt Taylor Contracting

Reports & Documentation

Over the past three years, numerous reports, studies, plans, and technical documents have been developed to support our initiatives and objectives. These documents provide in-depth analysis and insights into various aspects of our projects. We encourage everyone to review these resources at the links below:

Affordable Housing

SALISH GROVE HOUSING

For Mayne Island