YOGA FOR GARDENERS

A MOST INTERESTING HISTORY

WSI-I-KEM : GATEWAY TO PARADISE

SHOAL HARBOUR MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY

( A brief history by James K. Finley, Caretaker, Important Bird Area)

The very first glimpse, and the very last impression, of Vancouver Island for millions of residents and tourists alike is a beautiful little lagoon called Wsi-i-kem. As they hurry to and from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal in North Saanich, most do not realize they are bypassing a little piece of paradise. The scenery is marred by highway signs advertising the Wine Route and the ferries, and the landscaping has been badly neglected along Canada’s number one highway and the Trans-Canada biking trail. The lagoon is obscured by an unsightly thicket of Scotch broom which, for once, has a useful purpose in maintaining the tranquility, protecting a rare intertidal plant community and limiting disturbance of the Green-winged Teal, that thrive on the rich tidal mudflats. There is no indication that we are looking at the historical area of Wsi-i-kem ( referring to its clay substrate), the original home of the Coast Salish, and that we are also looking at one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries on the Pacific Coast, the final stomping grounds of one of Canada’s most notorious naturalists, John Macoun.

When the “Professor”, John Macoun, Chief Botanist of the National Museum, retired to Sidney in 1912, he was one of the most renowned scientific figures in Canada, famous for his botanical explorations of the prairies and his dismissal of Palliser’s Triangle as an obstacle to the settlement of the prairies. He was a naturalist in the old sense, self-taught, alert to all life. He and his son, James, had just completed the first Catalogue of Canadian Birds, a monumental task, but the indefatigable Professor had no intention of retiring. At age 81, his life as a free naturalist had just begun, in the paradise of W’Saanich (Saanich) and Wsi-i-kem. Within a year of his official retirement, his accomplishments were nothing short of astounding : he had collected 247 species of fungi, 128 species of lichen, 31 species of liverworts, 700 species of flowering plants, and 195 of the known 264 species of island seaweed. In 1914, he wrote “ I mean to commence a more extensive system of field work.” and when he suffered a stroke that paralyzed his right arm, he taught himself to write with his left hand, and continued to document the local flora of the Saanich peninsula.

In his last correspondence, dated June 28, 1920, to Dr. Newcombe, curator of the provincial museum, he thanks him for sending two specimens of Godetias, and in his last nature column, written under his nom de plume “ The Rambler”, he credits Dr. Newcombe for Godetia caurina (Wild Godetia), # 259 on his growing list of the Wild Flowers of Saanich. Ever the optimist he wrote “ Our collectors are doing so welll that by autumn we will be able to show that North Saanich has more than half the total known species as yet found on the Island.  … Before we are through we will show that Professor Stevenson and Professor Macoun are only attempting to tell what nature had done for Saanich before the advent of man. “ No shrinking violet, he let it be known that “our little list for this little district. Being founded on fact, it will remain while more ambitious ones will be forgotten. Facts always remain, while fine writing, after perhaps serving a given purpose, is heard of no more.”

Many of his specimens came from the shores of Wsi i-kem, including Specimen 142 Triglochin maritima ( Arrow Grass), collected in the salt marsh by Jessie C. This species, along with Triglochin concinna, often associates with the rare intertidal plant community, Jaumea carnosa, one of the most extensive colonies of which is hidden, just over the unsightly hedge of Scottish broom. The Graceful Arrow Grass and the Fleshy Jaumea are both rare species, listed by the B.C. Department of Environment.

Unfortunately Professor Macoun was unable to complete his list. It ends at specimen 265, Linaria cymbalaria, Ivy, “ a casual garden escape” (now known as a terrible invasive species), collected on June 28th. On July 18th he died peacefully in his sleep in his ninetieth year. He was buried, replete with honours, in Patricia Bay Cemetery, but a year later he was disinterred and removed to Ottawa for national recognition.

John Macoun was responsible for establishing the first migratory bird sanctuary in North America. Last Mountain Lake Sanctuary in Saskatchewan was established in 1887 as a result of his work. Macoun’s legacy led to the establishment of a network of sanctuaries across the country and made Canada a leader in signing (and living up to) the terms of the Migratory BIrds Convention Act of 1916. Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary was established in 1931 by an Order-in-Council of the Canadian government, and along with its sister sanctuary, Esquimault Lagoon, they constitute the oldest marine migratory bird sanctuaries on the west coast.

In summarizing his monumental role in the history of the Canadian west, Professor Bill Waiser, in his definitive biography of this remarkable man, stated

“It is not too exaggerated to say that John Macoun tried almost single-handed to roll back the natural history frontiers of Canada.”

On the historic occasion of International Migratory Bird Day, May 15, 2005, the citizens of North Saanich and Sidney gathered together in Lillian Hoffar Park, to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage that we share in Shoal Harbour (Wsi-i-kem) Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Over two hundred citizens, including Wsi-i-kem elders signed a proclamation that day, requesting that the District of North Saanich and the Town of Sidney give recognition and protection to the sanctuary, and the legacy of John Macoun. This proclamation was followed up with a list of ten actions involving North Saanich, Sidney, the province of British Columbia and the government of Canada. We have a tremendous natural heritage to protect.

NORTH SAANICH FARM MARKET

SUMMER BEGINS AT THE MARKET ON JUNE  5, —DON’T MISS IT!!!

The North Saanich Farm Market is located at Saint John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Road in North Saanich.

CHECK OUT THE FARM MARKETS NEW WEBSITE, RECIPES, NEWS, DIRECTIONS AND MORE!!

http://www.northsaanichfarmmarket.ca/

The North Saanich Farm Market is located at Saint John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Road in North Saanich.

ST. JOHN’S THRIFT SHOP WILL ALSO BE OPEN WHEN THE MARKET IS OPEN 9:30 – 12:30

THRIFT SHOP REGULAR HOURS ARE:

MONDAY 9- 12

WEDNESDAY 9 – 12

FRIDAY 12 -3

ARE YOU AGAINST THE ‘HST’ ?

CLICK ON THE IMAGE!

PARADISE THREATENED

AN APPROXIMATELY 20 MIN MOVIE ABOUT THE VANTREIGHT DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL SAANICH

CLICK ON THE FOUR ARROWS BESIDE THE VIMEO LOGO TO VIEW FULL SCREEN

TO LEAVE A COMMENT EITHER CLICK ON THE POST TITLE OR AT THE VERY BOTTOM WHERE IT SAYS ‘COMMENTS’ AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST NOT THE BOTTOM OF THE VIDEO WINDOW THAT SHOWS UP AFTER THE VIDEO FINISHES.

Paradise Threatened from ICTV Victoria on Vimeo.

USING NORTHSAANICHONLINE

click on picture for larger size

You can also go to the right side area and click on a section you are interested in and that will show you all the posts in that section. As well, clicking any of the other titles/names will link you to the respective site.

Thanks and hoping to hear from you!

Terry Farrant
editor North Saanich Online

————REMINDERS———–

COMMUNITY UPDATE

OPENING OF NEW BIKE PATH

The Community is invited to celebrate the opening of the Victoria Airport Bike Path on Saturday May 30th, 2009 10:00 am at Patricia Bay Park (corner of Mills Road and West Saanich Road).

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be part of the festivities and light refreshments will be served.

We hope to see you there!

For more information about Victoria International Airport, please visit us at www.victoriaairport.com or Sign up for YYJ Airmail to start receiving electronic news about the Victoria International Airport and the Victoria Airport Authority.

Media Contact:
James Bogusz – Manager Marketing, Communications & Technology
james.bogusz@victoriaairport.com
(250) 953-7570

jOHN lUTON,  CHRISTINE STONEMAN, RICHARD PAQUETTE, MAYOR ALICE FINALL

A GRAND DAY

Well what a perfect day it was for the Bike Path Grand Opening. The Airport provided treats and drinks and hospitality in abundance. Thanks Richard (Richard Paquette CEO Victoria Airport Authority) and Christine (Christine Stoneman Chair Victoria Airport Authority) There was a lot of mingling  and bike talk amongst all the attendees and the entire North Saanich Council as well as John Luton of Victoria City Council and also President of Capital Bike and Walk Society of Victoria. It was great to see them all there. After these preliminaries Richard Paquette addressed the crowd about the involement of the Airport in the community and the vision for the bike path to eventually circumnavigate the airport. After John Luton, Christine Stoneman and North Saanich Mayor Alice Finall also addressed the crowd the ribbon was cut and a group of about 30 riders did an inaugural ride of the approximately 2 kilometre path. Thank You Airport Authority YYJ!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Editor, Peninsula News Review:

Regarding the letter by Jeannie Wright, “Parents Want to Be Heard” of the 24th of March 2009, I think she misunderstood Mayor Finall’s introductory remarks.

Mayor Finall’s intention was to indicate that Council had already received a lot of information on the topic from both the parents and the Haro Park Terrace residents.  However, the floor was open for those that could add new material to the discussion.  The residents of that street are concerned primarily with pedestrian safety on a narrow road with no sidewalks and congested traffic.  Council was already well-informed – the agenda for that meeting included nine letters from parents.

Mayor Alice Finall indicated she had already scheduled a meeting with various Kelset School officials.  The gentleman who declined to speak did so because his points had already been presented to Council and he felt no need to rehash them further in light of the imminent meeting.  Ms. Wright pressed on but presented no new material and did not augment the nine letters on file.  My translation: the Mayor wanted discussion but not on old ideas; Ms. Wright only reiterated the existing points.

Mayor Finall has committed herself to a high level of communication and fairness in conducting municipal business and this likely will be evident in Council’s solution to the Kelset School parking problem.  At the Council meeting, I heard the Mayor say that she does want to hear from the Kelset School parents but only if they can present fresh information that advances the discussion.  Rather than speculate about her motives, why don’t we all just assess the decision after it is announced?

Springfield Harrison,
North Saanich

“North Saanich Council Sinks Deep Cove Marina Expansion and Pub Proposal“

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/fp/banana+republics+politics/1413922/story.html

THINK ABOUT IT–THINK ALL ABOUT IT

HERE WE GO AGAIN

This just in from a reader:

Pub/Marina Proposal and Being Proactive

BIKE LANES, PATHS AND CYCLING

I have changed the title of this post because the open house is over but I would like to keep the discussion of cycling in North Saanich  (and cycling in general) open.

Here is a link to ICBC’s Top Safety Tips for Cyclists:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2009/06/c9019.html

MCTAVISH ROAD AND HIGHWAY 17 REVISITED-YET AGAIN

THE PROJECT BEGINS!

(PLEASE DO CHECK THE SIMULATION LINK-YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT HOW COMPLICATED THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT. IT MUST HAVE BEEN A LONG SEARCH TO FIND SOME ENGINEERS THAT COULD FIND A WAY TO SPEND $24M. I MEAN THEY REALLY COULDN’T DEVELOP SOMETHING SIMPLER TO SOLVE A LEFT TURN PROBLEM  AND SEND $12M BACK NOW– COULD THEY?. I MEAN WHO EVER HEARD OF A  POLITICIAN SAYING ‘OH WE DON’T NEED TO SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY.”?)

Please be advised that construction of the McTavish Road Interchange will begin on November 30, 2009.  Starting that morning, McTavish Road will be closed between Highway 17 and Lochside Drive until Spring 2011.  Access to the Pat Bay Highway will be maintained via Amity Drive (right turns to/from northbound Highway 17 only), Mt. Newton Cross Road (all movements), and Beacon Avenue in Sidney (all movements).

In addition, an extended closure of Canora Road between McTavish Road up to Rideau Avenue will begin on approximately January 26, 2010.  Motorists travelling to the airport will follow McTavish to East Saanich Road, turn north, and take the airport exit from the roundabout.

For construction details and additional information, please visit the project web site at
www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy_17_McTavish_Interchange.  For the latest traffic conditions, visit www.DriveBC.ca.

For those interested in how the traffic flow will work check out a simulation here:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy_17_McTavish_Interchange/video/McTavish_IC_Sim/index.html

Please check out all the comments, they certainly beg the question. “Are the politicians, at all levels interested in the design,efficiency and the lessening of the cost of this project or soley interested in 24 Million dollars coming into their, province, district, town or municipality ?”

LETTER OF THE WEEK FROM A CYCLIST AND RESIDENT (NOVEMBER 4)

I recently attended the open house re above and was appalled by what is
> being proposed and shortly thereafter Mayor Finall was interviewed on
> local
> tv news and I got the distinct impression that the Mayor at least was in
> support of this fiasco that is supposedly going to cost the taxpayers some
> $24 million.
> As a daily user of this intersection it is abundantly clear that it is
> only
> traffic from Canora wanting to cross McTavish to access Pat Bay Highway
> Southbound that is occasionally delayed and that could be easily resolved
> with a simple flyover to allow this traffic to enter the Pat Bay Highway
> going south. Similarly if it is deemed safer to eliminate the left turn at
> the traffic light on Pat Bay for traffic wishing to access Canora or
> McTavish then a similar flyover to Canora could achieve that. Instead what
> we have proposed is a massive construction project that will introduce
> huge
> problems for the most vunerable of road users i.e. cyclists and
> pedestrians.
> I had attended an earlier open house when this proposal was first
> presented
> and I raised in writing the safety issue for cyclists and pedestrians and
> asked to be contacted by the design team so that I could offer some
> practical input as an active cyclist with over 50 years experience and a
> director and long term member of Sidney Velo Cycling Club, BC Masters
> Cycling Club and Cycling BC. I have never received any call but I note
> that
> at a recent presentation to the Saanich Bicycle Advisory Committee that an
> Engineer from the B.C.Interior who knew nothing of the surrounding roads
> was
> able to be part of this design team and that it seems at least one of
> these
> Engineers is claiming to have “consulted” with Sidney Velo Cycling Club
> amongst others and this is totally untrue – we have never been consulted
> in
> this matter so let there be no illusion that we are in favour.
> At the last open house on October 22nd I asked an engineer present to
> explain the thinking behind the addition of the pedestrian and cycling
> overpass that is now part of the design. It became obvious that there has
> been a total lack of understanding of the issue as anyone who has cycled
> or
> walked a trail or an overpass knows that pedestrians and cyclists do not
> mix
> and his answer to that was “well it will be 11ft wide” – Hello, that is
> 5′6″
> each way and while I cannot imagine cyclists would ride two abreast over
> an
> overpass any pedestrians out walking together do walk side by side and
> whether they walk side by side or behind each other it does pose a
> potential
> problem for cyclists being able to safely pass pedestrians on the overpass
> especially when there is pedestrian/cyclist traffic coming the otherway.
> And
> before someone raises this, it is also totally impractical to expect
> cyclists to dismount and become pedestrians to walk over the overpass as
> they wear shoes specifically designed to fit pedals which makes them
> unsuitable/dangerous even for walking. Also the overpass dumps the cyclist
> into the new bus terminal without any marked or posted right of way for
> cyclists who then will have to navigate through the terminal to end up on
> McTavish Rd which has not even paved shoulders never mind a bike lane. I
> then advised the engineer that for children and occasional cyclists the
> overpass would work (except for still dumping them into the bus terminal)
> but any commuter/avid or recreational cyclist would obviously have to
> remain
> on the road with the traffic and negociate the roundabouts which do not
> have
> any allowance for cyclists. The only way to safely negociate the
> roundabouts
> is to ride in the centre of the traffic lane to avoid someone trying to
> pass
> which is unsafe as they are not designed to allow this so will no doubt
> cause aggrevation to motorists who may be impatient. The response was
> “that’s the chance you will have to take” which I find truly unbelievable
> and unacceptable in this day and age when we are trying to make roads safe
> for all users and Greater Victoria is claiming to be bicycle friendly.
> Just so you appreciate what it is like for cyclists in roundabouts we have
> two nearby already – one at Canora and E. Saanich and one at bottom of
> Beacon Ave in Sidney. If you grew up in U.K./Europe then you know how to
> navigate and yield to traffic in roundabouts but that is not the situation
> here in B.C. As a cyclist I have had extremely near misses at both
> roundabouts with drivers either failing to yield to traffic in the
> roundabout coming from their left (me) or trying to pass me while I am
> entering or already in the roundabout itself forcing me to “bunny hop” my
> bicycle over the kerb and onto the sidewalk to avoid being knocked off and
> then being told to F… off for being there. One motorist told the RCMP
> that
> it was my fault for being there as there was no room for both of us! I
> would
> expect North Saanich Council to be well aware of the thousands of visitors
> we have that arrive by the Port Angeles ferry and that includes motorists
> and cyclists (we recently had close to 250 tandem bicycles here from
> Pacific
> Northwestern USA for organised bike rides during a long weekend and those
> 500 riders/tourists were riding all over our Peninsula) and our American
> visitors really get confused with roundabouts and proposing to have three
> VERY close together will undoubtedly cause great confusion. I can only
> imagine the plethora of road markings and signs that will be required to
> direct traffic through this boondoggle.
> It seems that no matter what anyone may say the powers that be have
> already
> decided that this fiasco is going ahead in its present design and that
> they
> are unwilling to accept a better way is possible. Please prove me wrong.
> David Osmond. North Saanich resident, taxpayer, motorist and bicycle user

COMMENT OF THE WEEK (so far)(OCTOBER 25-31)

A refreshing view from an engineer. I think too many of the engineers involved in this project are most concerned about building a monument to themselves. I think this view also supports my comments above.

“My background is transportation engineering, yes I am an accredited specialist in the area of transportation engineering (APEO), yes I have designed multi lane freeways, expressways,urban transportation systems including LRT. (33 years)

I read most of the  comments.!

Words fail to express my displeasure of what is going on.
Some comments are near correct, one alternative scheme (direct fly over, but without the McTavish connection is almost correct !

Steering committees and task forces of lay people (Mostly local council members)will add to the confusion.A steering committee should have transportation engineering expertise and should include high level MOT personel, although given the MOT endorsed proposals I question the competency of the latter.

Both North Saanich and Sidney councils have ignored my free advice !
Oh, by the way—M Coell and Gary Lunn refused to get involved as well.”

And what about cyclists and pedestrians????

Here is an interesting observation of  some of thinking regarding cyclists and the interchange:

He was from Kelowna (the PR(?) engineer); he knew nothing
of the surrounding roads that he was connecting to! The PR Engineer had
outlined a route for cyclists that wanted to connect to the airport when
heading north on Lochside (this included riding over the Ped bridge,
naviagating through the park and ride / bus terminal, then some
unbelievable maneuvers to get onto Canora. The design engineer said this
was all wrong, there was no such connection! If one wants to go from
Lochside to Canora and the airport, the only way is via all the traffic
circles, but, instead, their recommend route is via the bridge, bus
depot, up McTavish then down East Saanich. He was unaware that McTavish
is narrow with no bikelanes, that the route goes up hill, is longer vs
Canora which is level, direct and has paved shoulders.

CHECK OUT THE MOST RECENT COMMENTS GO HERE

AND SCROLL ON DOWN

SO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE OPEN HOUSE?

Well now that we know that ALL politicians touched by this scheme have no interest in listening to what the residents have to say but are only interested in the sound of 24$ million dollars streaming into their backyards we now have another open house to let people vent (save your breath folks ) before this absurd project sticks the shovel in. Having had my rant here is a letter from the North Saanich representatives on the McTavish Road Interchange Task Force:

October 1st, 2009

We wanted to let you know that we have been appointed by the District of North Saanich Council, as the two community representatives  to to sit on the McTavish Road Interchange Task Force.  Other members include representatives from North Saanich Staff and Council, Sidney Council, the Victoria Airport Authority, the RCMP, the Tseycum and Pauquachin First Nations and the Ministry of Transportation.

The purpose of the Task Force is to maintain consultation and dialogue with groups and individuals to identify and address community concerns during the detailed design and construction of the McTavish Road Interchange.  We will represent community interests primarily in the geographic area bounded approximately by Amity Drive to the south, Dean Park to the west, Beacon Avenue to the north and Lochside Drive to the east, however we will accept comment from the community in general.

The BC Ministry of Transportation is proceeding with this project to improve safety, enhance transit and improve access to the Victoria International Airport.  While we understand that you may have concerns about the design, timing and cost of this project, the Task Force is not in a position to consider those.

This is a Provincial project on Provincial land and as such, the Province can proceed.  To qualify for supporting funds from the Federal Government, the project must be completed by March 2011.

After considering alternatives, the conceptual design comprising two roundabouts and a road bridge over the main highway has been complete and has now been accepted as the final design.  The design contract has been awarded to a consulting engineering firm who will proceed with the detailed design.  No fundamental changes can be made to the concept.

Citizens can provide input on bicycle paths, pedestrian paths, signage,  landscaping, noise abatement and pollution control, but not on the design concept itself.  On site construction activity is expected to commence as soon as October 2009.

As your community representatives, we would be pleased to communicate your concerns, suggestions and comments on topics where we can still exert some influence  as the McTavish Road Interchange moves to the next phase.

The Task Force will be meeting at regularly scheduled intervals.  You will find the project website at:  http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy_17_McTavish_Interchange/index.htm

Please feel free to pass this information along to friends and neighbors who will also be impacted by the McTavish Road Interchange.

Heather Gartshore                  heathergartshore@shaw.ca 250-656-0974

Bob Williamson                       prismoid@islandnet.com 250-655-1270

Just to let you know about the upcoming McTavish Road Interchange Open House.  Come and view the updated design for the interchange, learn about construction plans, and the impact on traffic in the local area.

You can refer to the Ministry of Transportation website for more details at:  http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy_17_McTavish_Interchange/index.htm

Public Open House

Thursday October 22nd, 2009

2:00 to 8:00 pm

Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church

9296 East Saanich Road

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

What is happening with this proposal? Make sure to read the comments!  Link to Cairine’s blog and check out some of her responses to some concerns that have been voiced:

Cairine Green’s Blog  and follow the thread. Cairine gives an excellent account of recent meetings and the public meeting leading up to the most recent contact with government officials.

The most recent comments on Cairine’s blog address the leadership of North Saanich in responding to the McTavish Rd issue.

I find it very interesting that what has not been discussed re the McTavish Road interchange proposal is the actual need for this huge “solution” in the first place.  I would go even further and suggest that what is proposed is absurd; the problem is not that huge.  This is clearly something that politicians are not addressing.  Furthermore, the proposed amount of 24 million dollars of taxpayer’s money begs credulity when the so-called “solution” does not even involve a serious safety issue. If 24 million dollars is available to sink into the Pat Bay highway system then the bulk of it in all good conscious should be going to the Sayward Road Interchange with its well-documented list of traffic accidents and deaths.  Now that is a safety issue!

It becomes very obvious that the concern here is not about the safety of the Pat Bay Highway but rather an attempt to massage travelers, visitors, and tourists moving through Victoria Airport.  The biggest problem there seems to be traffic leaving the airport and getting onto the highway—the  intersection of Canora and McTavish roads and not McTavish Road and the Pat Bay high way.

We need to ask ourselves (and our politicians) what alternative  solutions to an overly expensive interchange might be.  The development of a Light Rapid Transit system between the airport, the ferries, and Victoria would seem to be a no-brainer, and especially far-sighted  during this era of fossil fuel depletion and climate change.  The McTavish Road interchange as presently envisioned represents outdated and “un-green” thinking.  . Where are the visionaries?

There were two excellent letters to the editor in the Times Colonist this morning (June 24, 09) regarding this project. Both are also saying what is stated above about lack of comment regarding the scale of and need of  this interchange.

Regarding the interchanges on the Pat Bay Highway, it does not take studies and surveys to realize that the problem at Sayward Road is the lack of an acceleration lane for northbound traffic. You cannot expect to enter even the slow lane from a near… read more…

Paving paradise for little improvement

Times Colonist
24 Jun 2009

The proposed McTavish Avenue/Pat Bay Highway interchange — which must dwarf every comparable traffic structure on the Island — replaces a single stoplight with a daunting array of multiple ramps and twin roundabouts, creating a Byzantine traffic flow… read more…

THERE IS A SIMPLER WAY

The rationale for this approach includes:

• the only real problem at McTavish is Airport Access/Egress
  • all other traffic flows are acceptable
  • with the airport traffic on dedicated lanes, the residual local traffic would be quite modest
  • much of the $24 million should be spent on LRT or more needy intersections
• the existing design:
  • is overly complex
  • is overly expensive
  • is overly “busy”
  • relies on two lane traffic circles, likely a challenge for new visitors in a rental car
  • requires many lane changes and turns
  • will likely require extensive signage to direct drivers
  • has several choke points where cross traffic will be competing with airport through traffic for roundabout access
• my concept is to engender discussion and implies:
  • all new lanes are elevated
  • the McTavish Exit (and Canora exit to McTavish) are optional
  • the southbound Canora exit to Hwy 17 goes over the (optional) McTavish Exit
  • existing pedestrian crossings are acceptable
  • further design/engineering is required:
    • to provide for the bus loop
    • to provide PnR parking
    • to provide a new pedestrian crossing if PnR parking is provided south of McTavish
    • to refine the (optional) Canora/McTavish exit/merge

ANOTHER SIMPLER WAY

Harvey Lubin sends this comment and concept

This week I came across the plan for the McTavish interchange:
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy_17_McTavish_Interchange/docs/mctavish_interchange.pdf

The proposed design seems to be an overly complex solution to a simple problem. What this design does is increase travel distances, increase travel times, increase gas used, and increase the number of intersect points (and opportunities for collisions) from the current traffic intersection. This is a big step backwards. For a project estimated to cost $24 million, the result should be an improvement, not a worsening from the present state.

Another problem with the design is that it appears that people coming from the airport, or from McTavish Road will no longer be able to head north on Pat Bay to Sidney and the ferries, as they can do now. If this is the case, it would be a major oversight.

LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION

Anna Louise Russo

Communications Coordinator

Community Council

3948 Quadra Street | Victoria, BC V8X 1J6

Tel: (250) 383-6166  Fax: (250) 479-9411 email: annar@communitycouncil.ca

www.communitycouncil.ca | www.qolchallenge.ca

Leadership that brings the community together

SECONDARY SWEET OR SOUR

I believe the following open letter to council needs to be considered by the readers of NSO, please leave your comments. As well please check out Cairine Green’s blog for more information on this issue.

An Open Letter to Mayor and Council

The District of North Saanich

Re:  Secondary Suite Pilot Project for the SE Quadrant area.

Council has identified 450 potential properties in the selected South East area to be included in a secondary suite pilot program.  This is a considerable increase to the estimated 64 suites that supposedly already exist in that area.  And it could be much higher than 450 properties as the boundaries for this pilot program have not been finalized.  As the Staff Report suggests; additional properties in the Dean Park area that do not have covenants in place, and/or additional properties in the northern neighbourhoods of the SE Quadrant area could also be included in this program.

While we have no objection to secondary suites and feel they serve a purpose, there are several issues that we feel Council has an obligation to address on behalf of the District as a whole.  The purpose of this letter is to ensure proper process, that all information (including the long term effects) has been communicated to the residents, and that residents then have the opportunity to voice whether they are prepared to accept the changes to their community that may result from this program.

Some people may feel this is a cut and dry decision, but there are many issues that need to be examined.

The Staff Report included on this September 14th Agenda states:

“Official Community Plan (OCP)

Policy statement 6.4 of the OCP states that: “Secondary suites or second dwelling units are not currently permitted by the District.  As part of the overall Housing Strategy for the District, the legalization of suites will be investigated.”  Given that it is only a year long, the pilot program could be considered investigating legalization of secondary suites meaning that an OCP amendment is not required at this point in time. If there are any plans to expand the program or continue it longer than one year, an OCP amendment will be required”

Once Council approves a pilot program to allow secondary suites - there is no going back.  Suites become permanent.  There is no investigating taking place.  I am not aware of any reference in the OCP that indicates investigating the possibility of allowing secondary suites would involve implementing a program that would “approve” secondary suites on a permanent basis.

Because the OCP does not currently allow secondary suites, an amendment to the OCP would be required prior to approving secondary suites.  Approving a pilot program to allow for secondary suites now – then amending the OCP down the road is like putting the cart before the horse.

And, Council must think hard about changing our Official Community Plan which took several years to finalize, after countless hours of community input and costing taxpayers thousands of dollars.

450 potential properties have been identified for this pilot project “so far”.  This growth is considerably higher than the permitted growth allowed for in the OCP, and particularly for an area that is designated ”outside” of the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) in the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS).

Information received indicates that amendments to the Regional Growth Strategy will likely be required as a result of this secondary suite pilot program, and CRD approval will be necessary.  The information suggests that North Saanich will be required to either:

- change the Regional Context Statement in the OCP (amend the OCP), or

- change the designation of this area to be “within” the Urban Containment Boundary.

Both of the above changes would result in the South East Quadrant area no longer considered “rural”.  This would be a significant shift for North Saanich, in particular for the SE Quadrant area residents, yet Council has never communicated this important issue to residents.

While it may be a “recommendation” in the Housing Strategy to allow secondary suites (a document prepared by the previous Council) – has there been adequate discussion and planning regarding the impact to local infrastructure (roads, sewer, water, schools, hospital, etc.) will be as a result of this increase in density?  What will happen if the impact becomes too great for the existing services to handle?  How much will it cost taxpayers to upgrade services to withstand this level of “unplanned” growth?  What happens to other neighbourhoods that may also wish to participate in this pilot project, or be considered for secondary suites after this pilot project is finished?  Will those neighbourhoods be denied suites by future ”Councils of the day” because infrastructure and services have not been planned for?

Council must address the effects that this pilot program will have on all levels of infrastructure and services, and communicate to all residents what those effects will be before proceeding further.   Only then can residents make an informed decision.  To date, the only communication to residents in the South East Quadrant area has been to say that ”Council has selected their neighbourhood for this pilot program and here is how residents can participate”.  I suspect the general level of acceptance of secondary suites would drop significantly once it becomes known how this pilot program could affect their neighbourhood (and the community at large), particularly when it becomes necessary to amend the OCP and the RGS as noted above.

You may have recently been contacted by North Saanich residents who live in this same SE Quadrant area seeking your support to oppose the Vantreight Farms development consisting of 84 homes – a development that is also outside of the Urban Containment Boundary.  According to the Central Saanich OCP, suites are permitted in that agricultural area.  This could potentially allow the density of the Vantreight project to increase up to 164 residential units.  That development borders directly onto the same 450 residential neighbourhood you are considering for the secondary suite pilot program in North Saanich.  Together, you have a potential of 614 ”new” residential units in one small area – all requiring services (mainly in North Saanich), yet these areas are outside of the Urban Containment Boundary.

I think you will agree that these issues must be addressed.

The majority of this Council was elected based on their support for the Official Community Plan, the Regional Growth Strategy, protecting communities outside of the Urban Containment Area from unplanned growth, for keeping North Saanich rural, and your promise for improved communication.  We hope those members will keep their commitments to the residents of North Saanich.

A Council member recently wrote: ”it’s easy to loose your way without a good map to guide you”.  Well, in my view, you have two great maps to guide you - the Official Community Plan and the Regional Growth Strategy.  If you follow those two guides it will be impossible to lose your way.

W. Bjornsfelt

SOME DEJA VU ?

100+ HOMES PROPOSED FOR CENTRAL SAANICH

Although this is primarly a Central Saanich issue it does affect residents of North Saanich. Does all this seem eerily familiar? Do you remember past councils in North Saanich and their cosy relationship with developers?

HHHHmmm  read on and please support the cause if you can and do check out the website for the history of this issue and for more information.

There is nowhere else like Central Saanich. Areas of great natural beauty, rolling rural
landscapes, active agriculture and defined settlement areas co-exist in harmony with one
another – all within a growing metropolitan region. This uncommon pattern is valued
greatly by residents of Central Saanich, one that we need to protect for future
generations….Long-term Vision – Central Saanich 2008 Official Community Plan

There is a beautiful hilltop – zoned agricultural – that sits near the Central/North Saanich
boundary, next to Quarry Park. Nestled between two separate working farms, it is covered
in Firs, Arbutus and Garry Oaks. Below, cattle and horses graze on one side and daffodils
and other flowers grow on the other. This peaceful, pastoral setting defines the jewel that is
called Central Saanich.

But that idyllic scene could change forever. Mr. Ian Vantreight proposes to build a large-
scale, urban-style subdivision that may potentially result in more than 100 homes –
including legal suites – being constructed on this hilltop; but he can’t do it without the
support of Central Saanich Council. The Council is now moving forward to allow the
development to proceed by simply calling the land “rural” and changing two zoning bylaws.
In adopting the changes, Council would vote against the vision dear to its own residents,
create high-impact growth that is anything but modest and destroy a little piece of heaven.

And, once these bylaw changes are adopted, the sobering fact is that all agricultural lands
outside the agricultural land reserve are potentially candidates for similar developments.
With 181 farms listed in Central Saanich, that number could be staggering.

Sadly, Council is prepared to approve the project by calling the amendments “minor” – a
decision that will minimize any involvement by the CRD or affected municipalities, such as
North Saanich, whose residents are directly impacted by this development. Mr. Vantreight
intends to build the access road to the development right beside a long-established
neighbourhood in North Saanich, even though two existing roads accessing the hill are
already built further to the south.

If you cherish green space, open skies and the rural character that defines Central
Saanich, let Central Saanich Council know how you feel.

E-mail the Municipal Hall at municipalhall@csaanich.ca or phone them at 250-652-4444.
Contact the Councillors – their names and telephone numbers are listed on the District’s
website at www.centralsaanich.ca. Take a walk through Quarry Park and look to the east,
over the blue waters of Georgia Strait, past the green hills of the Gulf Islands to majestic
Mount Baker. If you are moved by the beauty of this area, e-mail the media, talk to your
friends, contact the Chair (Mayor Graham Hill) or Co-Chair (Mayor Dean Fortin) of the
Planning and Transportation Committee of the CRD at snorton@crd.bc.ca or call
250-360-3000 and ask them to become involved.

Let’s stop this development before it’s too late.

For further information, check out our website: http://saveourruralland.blogspot.com/

Concerned citizens of Central and North Saanich December 16, 2009

EARTH DAY FORUM —- APRIL 22, 7:00 – 8:30PM