Oak Bay residents are voicing strong concerns about the impact of new housing projects in their community. Many say densification is changing the character of their neighbourhoods and creating new challenges for people who thought they had found a quiet and stable place to live. The rise of multi-unit housing developments, often in the form of three-storey townhouses, has left many feeling uneasy about the future. While these projects are intended to address the housing shortage, residents argue they also bring problems such as blocked sunlight, crowded parking, and pressure on aging infrastructure.
A clear example is found on St. Patrick Street, where a recently built row of townhouses has become a point of contention. Neighbours describe how the nearly 33-foot-tall structure overshadows their homes, blocking natural light that once filled their gardens and living rooms. The sudden scale of the development contrasts sharply with the smaller cottages and single-family homes that have long defined Oak Bay. For residents who invested heavily in their properties, the change has come as a shock. Many retired couples who purchased or renovated their homes to enjoy their later years now feel that their peace, privacy, and property values are under threat. Some say the value of their homes has already dropped by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The frustration is compounded by the feeling of powerlessness when dealing with local officials. Residents who bring their concerns to municipal representatives are often told that the decisions are driven by provincial housing policy. With the province pushing for greater housing density, municipalities say their ability to block or alter projects is limited. This leaves homeowners feeling caught between broad provincial goals and the reality of daily life in their neighbourhoods.
Parking has become another visible problem. With multi-unit housing often relying on shared driveways and limited spaces, many residents report seeing extra cars spilling onto the street. What were once quiet residential blocks now feel like crowded parking lots. Narrow streets are increasingly lined with vehicles, reducing access and creating friction among neighbours. At the same time, older infrastructure is showing signs of strain. Long-time homeowners say that sewer systems and other basic services, already aging, are now being pushed to their limits by higher population density. Problems that were rare in the past are becoming more frequent, adding to the sense of disruption.
The example on St. Patrick Street is not isolated. Similar developments are appearing on Cadboro Bay Road and Bowker Avenue, sparking the same complaints. In each case, locals say the character of the neighbourhood has been diminished. They worry that if the trend continues, more areas of Oak Bay will lose the qualities that once made them desirable. The combination of taller buildings, tighter parking, and overloaded infrastructure has created a sense of fear that no part of the community will remain unchanged.
At the heart of the debate is a conflict between the need for more housing and the desire to preserve community character. Supporters of densification argue that adding multi-unit housing is necessary to keep up with population growth and to make homes more affordable for younger families. They point out that single-family homes alone cannot meet the housing needs of the region. But residents who are experiencing the direct impact argue that the process should be more balanced. They are not against new housing, but they want thoughtful planning that protects access to sunlight, ensures quiet streets, and upgrades infrastructure before more projects are built.
The discussion around Oak Bay densification is becoming more urgent as new projects continue to emerge. For some, the changes promise greater housing choice and opportunities in a tight market. For others, they represent the erosion of the qualities that attracted them to Oak Bay in the first place. Whether the community can strike a balance between growth and preservation is still uncertain. What is clear is that the issue has already touched a nerve, leaving many residents unsettled about what the future of their neighbourhood will look like.
