Martin “Marty” Lapedus is a philanthropist and financial advisor serving the greater Toronto area. Although Marty remains a successful professional in the financial industry, the high scale of his charitable efforts and giving is far more significant. Lapedus is a connected to numerous charitable organizations that aim toward building strong communities locally and globally.

One of the many organizations and causes Marty Lapedus donates to is the Canadian Cancer Society. The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers, whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. Martin Lapedus is also a strong supporter of The War Amps, an organization that aims to improve the quality of life for all amputees and encourage child amputees to develop a positive approach to living with amputation through comprehensive support programs. By supporting The War Amps, Marty also assists in providing amputees with the latest information on artificial limbs and all aspects of amputation. The organization even provides employment for amputees and strives to raise awareness about issues as diverse as the experiences and abilities of amputees, child safety, and Canada’s military heritage. Marty Lapedus also donates to various other charities that aim to better the lives of veterans.

Marty Lapedus is also a generous supporter of the United Jewish Appeal and Chabad Flamingo, whose goals are serving those less fortunate and those in harm’s way. Both organizations also vow to renew and strengthen the Jewish community in New York, Israel, and across the world.

Martin Lapedus is an arts lover and enjoys the theatre, watching films, and reading. He remains active by playing his favorite sports of golf, squash, and racquetball. Marty Lapedus resides in Thornhill, Ontario.

Transit System and Regional Planning Overview

Financial consultant Martin Lapedus has studied the Short Street Project, Saanich, B.C. for strong transit and regional planning.

The District of Saanich is a large suburban municipality that is part of the growing Greater Victoria region, which has a population of more than 300,000. As the region’s population is expected to grow to more than 400,000 over the next 10 years, the Capital Regional District and its 14 member municipalities have created a regional growth strategy. It aims to accommodate growth through a nodal development strategy that focuses growth in eight major centres that are walkable, compact and mixed-use and that can be effectively served by rapid bus transit. The Short Street project is within one of those major centres.

Martin Lapedus, other growth strategy goals include increasing the amount of detached and ground-access housing in the four core municipalities and locating a minimum of 90 per cent of the region’s cumulative new dwelling units to 2026 within the regional urban containment and servicing area.

Martin Lapedus applauds this growth strategy that also promotes increased transportation choice.

As one of the Capital Regional District’s member municipalities, the District of Saanich is required to prepare a Regional Context Statement as part of its Official Community Plan that describes how it will accommodate growth in a way that is consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy. Saanich’s statement is consistent with the regional strategy.

According to Martin Lapedus, the regional transit system is operated by BC Transit, which provides funding to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. The Victoria Regional Transit System five-year plan states that: “Transit should support the development of the region as expressed through the Regional Growth Strategy, Official Community Plans and Regional Travel Choices Strategy.”

The Short Street project is only steps away from a regional centre, the Town and Country Mall, and is well-served by transit with several bus stops (including an express bus route) within two blocks of the site. Several bus routes carry passengers downtown and to the University of Victoria every 12 to 20 minutes. The project is also close to the popular Galloping Goose regional trail, which is part of the Trans-Canada Trail. The trail links to other regional trails, which makes the Short Street project very attractive to hikers and cyclists. A higher density project in this location fits well with the regional vision for focusing growth within major, transit-oriented centres.

Martin Lapedus reviews the Developer’s Perspective

Replacing seven older single-family dwellings and a small commercial unit, the Short Street project was completed in early 2006 by Darryl Johnson Construction/Short Street Ventures Ltd. The project includes 72 residential condominium units and three retail units of 325 m2 (3,500 sq. ft.), 279 m2 (3,000 sq. ft.) and 93 m2 (1,000 sq. ft.). The project is within one of the eight major centres in the Capital Regional District that have been earmarked for accommodating the majority of growth in the region. It is a short distance (about 100 m) to the nearest rapid bus stop and a little further to the Town and Country Mall, which is also slated for redevelopment at higher densities with residential and retail uses. The Short Street project has about 750 m2 (8,000 sq. ft.) of landscaped open space and all units have balconies or a small patio at grade.