The Future of Central Saanich:

Rural Paradise or Suburb?
by Save Our Rural Lands

Nestled between two working farms is a hilltop, covered in Arbutus, Firs, and Garry Oaks. Cattle and horses graze below on one side and daffodils grow on the other.

 

This peaceful, pastoral setting defines the jewel called Central Saanich; but that idyllic scene could change forever! Central Saanich Council is being asked to allow a large-scale residential development to be built on this hilltop, a decision that fundamentally opposes the vision of protecting our remaining rural land, to which all Greater Victoria municipalities agreed to adhere.

 

To make matters worse, these changes could apply throughout the District of Central Saanich, opening them up for similar developments.

 

With 181 farms listed in this District alone, the number of potential developments could be staggering.

 

 

 

 

The proposed development is huge. Mr. Ian Vantreight and Broadmead Planning and Development are asking Council to allow them to construct 41 single family houses, 26 two-storey townhouses, and 11 duplexes (i.e., 22 households) on the hilltop. This means that 89 households could end up on the hillside in the picture above.


Urban Sprawl on the Peninsula

To manage growth in the Greater Victoria Area, and limit the damage caused by urban sprawl, all thirteen municipalities signed on to a Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) in 2003. In essence, the idea was to limit urban development to several urban centres, thereby protecting the remaining agricultural areas, rural land, and forests. Protecting agricultural areas is crucial for implementing sustainable principles such as the 100-Mile Diet and local food security. Protecting rural land and forests is vital to provide a buffer between agricultural lands and urban centres, protect remaining biodiversity, supply us with breathable air, and provide recreational areas.

If we allow one developer to build an urban-scale development on rural land, contrary to the RGS, it becomes very difficult to prevent other developers from doing the same; and if we keep modifying the RGS to make room for additional urban areas, the RGS will lose its meaning, resulting in the loss of more agricultural, rural, and forest lands.

Learn more about the Regional Growth Strategy.


The Need to Heed the Voice of the Community

Like all other municipalities in British Columbia, Central Saanich has an Official Community Plan (OCP). This plan, which was reviewed a little over a year ago, was drawn up after extensive consultations with the community, at a cost of more than $90,000. It clearly establishes the need to protect the natural, rural beauty of Central Saanich, and directs large-scale developments towards urban settlement areas (e.g., Brentwood Bay).

The OCP captures the voice of the community. Therefore any forthcoming development proposal should conform to the OCP. The OCP should not be amended to conform to development proposals.

Learn more about the Official Community Plan.


Considering the Environmental Impacts

The environmental impacts of a development of this scale must not be underestimated. Given the location, residents will most likely use their cars to go to work and shop. This will add hundreds of car trips to local roads every day, resulting in more pollution and greenhouse gases, as well as increased wear and tear on the roads, which in turn requires costly, tax-funded repaving. (Ironically, the Provincial Government recently directed municipalities to look at ways to reduce greenhouse gases.)

The development will also mean a loss of habitat for wildlife, such as deer, eagles, owls, and other birds. It thus risks further eroding the Saanich Peninsula’s biodiversity; and the existing Garry Oak ecosystem on part of the hilltop could be damaged irreversibly.


Farming vs. Developments

Placing such a large development so close to active farmland poses problems, such as run-off of pollutants onto the fields below and noise and odour complaints by residents, limiting farming activities.

Even worse could be the ripple effect of this development. The argument for removing the agricultural zoning hinges in large part on the argument that this land is "unfarmable". (Learn why we don't agree with this assessment.) If the development is approved, we believe that others will attempt to develop their "unfarmable" lands as well (e.g., forest groves, hilltops, and rocky outcroppings), endangering the very soul of the Saanich Peninsula.


Housing --- for Those Who Can Afford It

According to the Capital Regional District, the number of dwelling units in Greater Victoria has increased by 500% in just 5 years (2002 - 2007), whereas the population has increased by only 6%. Sadly, however, this explosion of housing has mostly targeted well-to-do home buyers and investors, not those on a small fixed income or on minimum wage. This proposed development is no exception.

We don’t need more housing for the well-off, and when we do build housing for those who need it, it needs to be consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy.


Your Opinion Counts!

The public still has an opportunity to have its say until the public hearing that is expected to be held early in 2010. After that, however, it will be too late for any public involvement.

You should e-mail the District of Central Saanich today! Be sure to address your concerns to the “Mayor and Council,” so that every member of the Council gets a copy.

Also contact the Chair of the Capital Regional District (Councillor Geoff Young), and the Chair (Mayor Graham Hill) and Co-Chair (Mayor Dean Fortin) of the Planning and Transportation Committee, to ask them to become involved.




Please consider lending your support to organizations such as the Dogwood Initiative that are actively trying to protect our land, not just in Central Saanich, but throughout the Province.


About Us

We are a group of individuals from all walks of life who want to ensure that we can pass on the beauty of today to the next generation.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
First and Second Reading Deferred to Next Meeting

Last Monday, Central Saanich Council deferred first and second reading of the zoning amendment to the next meeting. Council is asking Mr. Vantreight to show how this development would benefit the community as a whole, not just the farm.