Construction is expected to begin this spring on the $7-million Knox Centre.
The affordable housing complex, located next to Knox Presbyterian Church on Church Road, will house moderate-income adults, families and seniors.
The two-storey building includes 40 units of mixed accessible one, two and three-bedroom residential units on the top floor and commercial space on the main floor.
Sooke council gave zoning bylaw approval to the project on Jan. 23, opening the door for construction to begin.
Envisioned more than eight years, the Knox Centre was considered as a 125-suite seniors housing development, but over the years due to rezoning and other concerns, the project was re-conceived as affordable housing, said M.J. Whitemarsh, co-chair of the Knox Vision Society building committee.
Late last year, the district needed further rezoning to include apartments.
“The zoning held us up. We wanted to go for development permits before Christmas, but we couldn’t until the zoning process was complete,” said Whitemarsh.
“Although the extra zoning was an irritant, council certainly stepped up to the plate and got it passed quickly, so we could get on with it.”
The society will now apply for development and building permits, so construction can begin.
“[The project] will inject quite a bit of capital into the Sooke district and create some jobs along the way. It’s a good thing,” Whitemarsh said.
Occupancy of the Knox Centre is expected in late spring of 2018.