The purpose of this essay is to describe how North Saanich can and must progress while still maintaining its rural charm.

The reason we must progress (to a certain degree) is because if we try to remain stagnant and resistant to all growth and development, the inappropriate forces will simply move in and "progress" for us, in an intrusive, insensitive, unintelligent, distasteful, financially self-serving, and environmentally unfriendly way. We must stay on the ball and progress in a wise, slow and aesthetically intelligent manner, in a way that maintains the ruralness (some call it "semi rural") and green charm of North Saanich, but also in a way that keeps the inappropriate forces at bay. It’s time to set the standard on appropriate progress.

This will take a high degree of creativity, knowledge and an astute awareness of our circumstance, resources, needs, landscape and environment, but it can be done.

North Saanich can be the sound model of how to live well locally within a global attitude.

I will now address several concepts which will assist us in progressing while maintaining our rural character.

A. Adopting an Advisory Design Panel:

A (volunteer) design panel is usually "attached" to the Advisory Planning Commission. Their role is to advise Council on appropriate design and architecture with issues such as aesthetic and environmentally friendly impact and planning (their role is not to dictate "taste" to individual residents). Farm markets, sub-divisions, a seniors’ housing complex, marinas, a village corner or a low impact commercial "park" on the airport lands would benefit from the advice of the Design Panel.

The District of Saanich lists, among others, these aspects of their Design Panel:

• "The character of the development in relation to adjacent and surrounding development"
• ". . .both natural and man-made features including safety and preservation of natural elements"
• "Native plant material is preferred . . ."
• "The siting of the buildings . . ."
• ". . .livability and human needs".

The well known architect Arthur Erikson worked with light and space. The Vancouver architect Ron Thom worked with the earth. We can agree then, that it is accurate when author Jonathan Glancey (The Story of Architecture: 2003) describes buildings as being able "to join heaven and earth" and to create "a delightful interweaving of landscape . . ."

This is my vision for development in North Saanich, working with the environment, should development be part of our future.

B. Heritage Preservation:

Maintaining the rural charm of North Saanich also includes preserving our heritage, and I refer to not only historic structures (farms and residences etc.) but also heritage locations, green space, marine and shoreline locations, heritage breeds of animals and vegetation, first nations' culture, wildlife, roads and sites, parks and natural resources.

North Saanich Council recently established a Heritage Advisory Commission to "preserve, promote and enhance" our heritage in all its aspects. Our first project is to acknowledge a small section of Tatlow Road, the original site of the railway line which led to what is now the Chalet Restaurant. Susan Ross (our Chair) and member Diana Chown are currently doing research for our first heritage endeavour.

Here on Glamorgan Farm, I raise heritage livestock including the Rhode Island Red hen (yes, it is on the Canadian "threatened" list according to Rare Breeds of Canada) and recently imported two Gloucester Old Spot Pigs, classified as "extinct" in Canada.

The gardeners at Glamorgan Farm grow heirloom varieties of produce and fruit, and we recently planted a hedgerow of heritage rose bushes (hedgerows by the way have a tremendous benefit to a rural municipality such as North Saanich. They act as wind breaks, buffer zones and wildlife habitats). Dominion Brook Park boasts heritage rhododendrons, Garry Oaks are still very present in some areas, and Lillian Hoffer Park includes many old species of vegetation. The Heritage Commission welcomes your input and ideas, and would love to hear about your heritage ventures.

C. Creative Agricultural Land Use:

It is becoming obvious that unless we allow farmers and residents with land, to creatively expand their activities without harming the environment and well being of their neighbours, they will be tempted to sub-divide or sell their land.

Another issue looms - I have heard the argument that if land is not farmed, then it should be sold (for development). This is ridiculous. Unused farmland as green space has value other than farming. We should not be encouraging development on farmland just because it is not being farmed.

A land owner/farmer must be allowed to supplement their income with other activities such as safe storage, appropriate agri-tourism, artisan workshops, or other creative, safe and unintrusive endeavours.

D. Cycling/Pedestrian Paths, Trail Links:

Our Parks Commission is doing an excellent job of promoting a trail network and opening up "common land" for us all to enjoy. These spaces serve as wildlife corridors as well.

A quick word about cycling/pedestrian paths and the enormous costs involved. There are ways to cut costs. If and when a sewer line is ever installed within certain boundaries, could a cycle/pedestrian path not be put on top of the sewer line? We can work with B.C. Ferries and the Airport Authority to assist with the costs in those areas, and the other consideration is that these paths may not necessarily need to be paved (which is a large part of the cost). There are fine gravels available, "road base" material and other cost saving materials which we could consider.

Making North Saanich recreational friendly whether it be cycling, walking, horse riding, kayaking, and the like will maintain our ruralness and country charm. Then there is the issue of reducing speed limits and maintaining and creating beach accesses.

We can progress and keep our paradise, in fact, I believe we can create more of a rural character than we have now as well as progress and develop in an intelligent, tasteful, environmentally sensitive manner.

All we need to do is be innovative, thoughtful and wise without ever losing sight of what North Saanich has to offer. By interweaving with the landscape as we progress, we will become the catalysts to join heaven and earth.

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.

Albert & Linda Bennett, North Saanich

Great article! North Saanich can be a great example of what progress can really be.