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Council's Track Record
North Saanich Marina Expansion: At the End of the Day
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Summer 2005 (Last Updated: 24 Jun 05)
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It was literally at the end of the day on May 16th when North Saanich Council decided not to amend the Official Community Plan and the zoning bylaws that would allow further expansion of North Saanich Marina into the Shoal Harbour Bird Sanctuary.
A second public hearing on this development was scheduled after a procedural miscue closed the first hearing (see: Marina Expansion: Council Vote on Reviewing New Report).
A series of public gatherings organized by the North Saanich Residents Association and North Saanich Online provided the opportunity for many local residents to discuss the issue first hand with recognized authorities on the environmental impacts of the proposed marina expansion. The sincerity of the residents’ concern for the environment was clearly expressed at the public hearing.
The Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, the tenant of the marina, was also recognized for the important contributions it makes to our community. The youth sailing programs and the recreational boating facilities are seen and appreciated as significant aspects to the social fabric of North Saanich.
For Mayor Daly, however, the lack of information from the proponents on the economic impacts of the development, along with the lack of definitive approvals from other government agencies, could not be overlooked. At the end of the day he voted against the motion that would allow the marina to expand.
The motion to amend North Saanich Official Community Plan Bylaw 1057 (The North Saanich Marina Expansion):
For
- Councillor Bird
- Councillor Utley
Opposed
- Mayor Daly
- Councillor Goulet
- Councillor Hartshorne
- Councillor Scoones
Absent
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received. Comments submitted by our readers are the personal views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of North Saanich Online.
Bob Gibson, North Saanich
Some people just never learn ... as I pointed out at the Dean Park Residents meeting with councillors,(Utley was there), it was highly questionable that he chose NOT to disqualify himself from voting on the issue, a situation that Graham Ross so sucinctly outlined in his letter to the Review.
This councillor operates a marine services business and could surely be expected to gain customers by this or ANY marina expansion in North Saanich. Does that NOT represent a "conflict"?
Hello!!!
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