The former Royal Oak Middle School site in Saanich could become home to 245 apartment units in five buildings if council gives the go-ahead at a public hearing Tuesday.

The 2.9-hectare site near the corner of West Saanich and Wilkinson roads was sold in 2007 after the school was deemed surplus and demolished.

The buyer, Mike Geric Construction, has since been refining plans for a development. The company initially presented plans for two 12-storey condo complexes and one six-storey building with affordable housing units. That met with strong opposition from the community.

The plan going to public hearing has been revised to five buildings ranging in height from three to six storeys, with underground parking.

The 245 units would be mostly condominiums, although 26 units would be market rental units in perpetuity. As well, another 10 units would be designed to allow a second bedroom and bathroom to be rented to someone other than the owner.

The proposed development would see five buildings circling a landscaped plaza and pond above the underground parking with its 374 spaces. One building would be six storeys with a height of 26 metres, another would be five with a height of 17.3 metres, two would be four storeys at 13.4 and 16 metres, and the final building would step from three to six storeys with a height of 23 metres.

The pond would also be used for stormwater management. Garden plots would be provided.

Municipal staff recommends the rezoning.

kwestad@tc.canwest.com