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Council's Track Record
How Council Voted on Expansion of the North Saanich Marina
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November 2004 (Last Updated: 17 May 05)
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At a meeting on October 4, Council voted on a proposal by North Saanich Marina to expand the area of their foreshore lease to accommodate an additional 75 boat slips. Approval of this proposal requires amending the Official Community Plan (OCP); specifically by-laws 1057 and 1058.
As stated in the OCP “the expansion of marina facilities is not supported in order to preserve both the environmental and scenic qualities of sheltered areas” (section 7.3.7; also supported by sections 4.1.1; 4.2.2; 15.1.1; 15.1.2).
Prior to this vote the Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) of the District reviewed the NS Marina proposal and raised serious environmental concerns about the project, including possible jeopardy of the migratory bird sanctuary at Tsehum Harbour (See EAC Report). The EAC recommended to Council that the OCP not be amended to accommodate expansion of the NS Marina.
At the October 4 meeting Council voted in favour of the NS Marina expansion, to amend the OCP and to give approval in principle to the development, pending review from appropriate Federal and Provincial reviewing agencies. For details see District of North Saanich Council Minutes, October 4, 2004.
For
- Mayor Ted Daly
- Councillor Bill Bird
- Councillor Dorothy Hartshorne
- Councillor Anthony Utley
Against
- Councillor Heather Goulet
- Councillor Anny Scoones
- Councillor Keith Thomas
Related Article:
Birds vs. the Boating Business: Must the Birds Always Lose?
Readers' Comments:
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.
Margaret, North Saanich
Totally against the expansion. There has been much development in the area for a few rich. Our kids will pay for it.
Erika Van Doormaal, North Saanich
I am disappointed in councils' decision to support the expansion. What makes this area a great place to live among other things,is the way we have supported the protection of wildlife in the past. Those names in council who voted against wildlife and for the almighty dollar will be noted.
Don & Marion Elliott, North Saanich
The North Saanich marina expansion includes many items that could be a problem for waterfront residents including increased noise from the proposed metal tank breakwater and increased noise from increased marina activity. Residents should attend the Meeting of the Whole North Saanich Council on this topic on Feb.28. We are not against upgrading of the marina but this must be done in an environmentally and local resident sensitive way with consultation of waterfront and other residents that will be most affected.
Barb & Costa Assonitis, North Saanich
What is an official community plan? Is it an agreed upon plan that is flexible and can be changed when council wants without consulting the community? Didn't the citizens of North Saanich agree in 1998 that this OCP was to be the guiding 'force' behind development in the area and that these were the visionary principles we would all follow. We being all members of the community...business, council, home owners. And to ignore the recommendations of the Environmental Advisory Commission of the District... This motion by council is unconscionable and needs to be rescinded.
Peter Schoerle, North Saanich
It would be a shame to destruct this bird sanctuary. Despite the fact that I am a boater and looking for a slip in this area I am firmly opposed to this development.
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