Whether people agree or disagree with my views, I did my best after weighing out all the options and would like to inform the residents of how I came to my conclusion.

First, it was an anguished decision (unlike the recent marina expansion issue). Several times during the course of this process I changed my mind. I worry every day about the impact of my decision as I would worry every day about the impact of the option. It came down to weighing out environmental, rural, cultural and social damage, against the dangers of spot zoning and future precedents, in this case, changing a residential zoning to a comprehensive development zone to accommodate a very large house and out buildings.

Here are my reasons:

1. The applicant, Mr. Schayes had the legal option of sub-dividing his two acre parcel and building on one lot (a house already exists on the other lot). Sub-dividing, although opening up a beach access, would have required two environmentally unsound actions: many trees would have to be taken down, and the site coverage of the two acres would have ended up being greater than the proposed site coverage (our planner can give you the dimensions). I am not in favour of increasing the density in this area. It occurred to me at that point that perhaps we have a flaw in the law as we were informed that these were Mr. Schayes only options. Granting the larger house through the variance process as advised by our Advisory Planning Commission was illegal according to the Local Government Act.
2. To receive a Comprehensive Development zoning, the applicant must provide North Saanich with something for the "public good". This is what our Official Community Plan states. This is not to be confused with a "bribe" as one resident called it. Staff suggested a $10,000 donation from Mr. Schayes to be possibly directed toward our Parks and Heritage Commissions. In discussions with Mr. Schayes about other contributions, he offered to also donate the building of playground equipment to a North saanich Park (this is not an inexpensive venture) as well as other financial contributions which will be disclosed at a later time. We discussed our mutual interests for North Saanich - a seniors home, parks, heritage preservation, and an employment project for disabled adults. I believe that Mr. Schayes is sincere in making North Saanich his home and in his offers and interests. His previous development endeavors are quite separate from this Ardmore issue.
3. The Comprehensive Development Zoning Bylaw is site specific. That is, Mr. Schayes cannot run a business from his home. The by-law lists his restrictions (his larger house size etc.) so any other application would be treated very individually and not necessarily approved.
4. Finally, I realize that this final point may be fodder for ridicule, but it is, none the less, very important if one gives it careful thought. It concerns design and environmental concerns. Mr. Schayes has impeccable, detailed and thorough practices regarding these issues on his property - this means something to me. First, he removed his toxic pavement on his driveway replacing it with paving stones which absorbs ground water. He is adamantly against the use of pesticides. He has, by hand, with stones collected from another site, restored his stream/drainage ditch on the south side of his property, and he has painstakingly restored his heritage house right down to repairing the original copper gutters and lamp posts, anitique glass windows, and brass door hinges. Surely this care and appreciation of craftsmanship and the environment is worth taking into consideration.

My decision was based on weighing out the pros and cons of the present situation. I will now work hard to follow through with the potential repercussions and precedent setting issues that concern us all.

I "implored" Mr. Schayes to talk with his neighbours, perhaps through mediation, as to being neighbourly and taking into account the concerns of the neighbourhood.

I intend to meet with our staff, mayor and council to accommodate and deal with possible future applications of this sort. This is quite a challenge, stemming from the pressures our quaint rural North Saanich is feeling in this time of adaptation and transition. Transition (in everything) always seems to be the most difficult time.

My goal is to progress but to retain our rural qualities - as I said in a previous article (see An Interweaving of Landscape), we can do it, we can be the model of how to do it right. To remain stagnant and refuse to budge on certain issues, could be as dangerous as over zealous, tasteless development. Progess does not mean negative, ugly, urban character - not if we do it right. Take the marina expansion proposal for example - I would love to see a clean up initiative (if there are proven levels of toxins) in that so called "mud flat" area and a management study under taken before any expansion takes place.

The Ardmore issue woke us all up to the pressures and conflicts of law and progress and perhaps caught us by surprise. All I can promise is that I will work hard to figure out the balance of how to enhance the North Saanich that you love.

Related Articles:

• How Council Voted on Spot Zoning.

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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.

The Editors, North Saanich Online

Anny, we respect your sentiments and must resign ourselves to your judgment in this case. However, from our point of view, the “North Saanich that we love” is suffering “death by a thousand cuts.” Far from demonstrating how to do it right, this Council appears to be pursuing “progress” with little regard for our rural character and other longstanding community values. We look forward to being proven incorrect.

Pam Harte, North Saanich

I believe we need to use common sense - the relative disturbance to the environment will be less under the CD zoning. Thanks to Anny Scoones for clarifying her vote, I found it very helpful.