What's Happening!

Councillor Slams Saanich Park Plan

2008-10-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Letters to the editor: Saanich News October 1, 2008

Re: Park plan meeting disintegrates into traffic debate, Saanich News, Sept. 24
Saanich News headlines on July 30 “Collisions fuel residents’ frustration with accident-prone Sayward Road” and on August 8 “Safety solutions sought for dicey Sayward Curve” raised public awareness of traffic concerns at what can only be described as the most convoluted road configuration in Saanich.
It is unbelievable that a park plan is being proposed that would introduce a 69 space parking lot with two access/egresses onto Fowler Road further complicating the Fowler/Sayward/Hunt Roads combination.
It appeared that parks’ planning has taken place in isolation of traffic planning. This summer I met on site with residents for a brainstorming session to identify the issues and look at some simple solutions. I heard stories of squealing tires, signs and fences being knocked over and the fear of letting children play in the front yard. From the grassroots many ideas evolved including a traffic circle and the recommendation of the Cordova Bay Community Association for a “T” intersection.
As co-chair of Saanich’s Advisory Traffic Committee, I presented the residents concerns and potential solutions to our most recent meeting. The ATC is a technical committee that looks at traffic counts, reported accidents and a warrant system that classifies Saanich intersections by priority.
Although there was agreement that the road configuration is difficult only small solutions including updated signage, reflective “cats eyes” and improved street lighting were supported. Counts, reports and warrants, although valuable technical information, is small comfort to residents feeling unsafe and victimized. There is no doubt accidents can be attributed to driver error but that does not address the potential for a tragedy.
As recent as Friday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. a car lost control and crashed in virtually the same location as in July. Fortunately absent were pedestrians, and horse and bicycle traffic that frequent this area. The Fowler/Sayward/Hunt Road combination needs to be seriously addressed before it is the site of a serious tragedy. This must take place before a park with two accesses and 69 parking spaces is thrown into the mix.

a public forum on CLIMATE CHANGE - the threat and what we can do about it

2008-09-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

Climate Project Canada Presentation

An updated version of the Inconvenient Truth,

with Canadian content, presented by:

Judy Fainstein,
Climate Presenter,

Trained by Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Laureate.

www.climateprojectcanada.org
Founder, YesBC (Youth for Environmental Stewardship)

www.yesbc.ca

Safety solutions sought for dicey Sayward curve

2008-09-11T01:07:00.000-07:00

Thursday, September 11, 2008
By Roszan Holmen - Saanich News

Published: August 07, 2008 12:00 PM
In response to frustration from neighbours along accident-prone Sayward Road, Coun. Vicki Sanders is calling on residents to offer ideas on how to make the road safer.
She’s asking anyone concerned to meet her at the bus stop on Fowler Road near the end of Sayward for a brainstorming session at 2 p.m. this Saturday (Aug. 9).
“It’s to put a face to the issue and see if there are simple solutions that can be done in the interim to perhaps make it a little bit safer,” said Sanders.
Sayward is a two-block stretch of road starting at Patricia Bay Highway with a steep downhill grade, ending with a sharp right-hand curve into Fowler.
Residents say drivers routinely speed down the narrow road, which has poor visibility. The Cordova Bay Community Association is calling for a T-intersection featuring a stop sign at the bottom to help slow the traffic.
Paul Butterfield, engineering technician for Saanich, said the statistics don’t indicate the section of road presents much of a problem. Since 1996, there have been eight accidents (three reported by police and five by ICBC) at the Sayward-Fowler curve. He admitted, however, that the statistic doesn’t account for all the screeching tires, something nearby residents say is a big problem.
In 2007, Saanich police logged nine collisions along Sayward. Five happened at the crest of hill in winter and were weather-related, said Sgt. John Price.
Adding to the road’s problems, Sanders said, is the fact that many drivers turn onto Sayward from the highway travelling too quickly and continue at speeds not suitable for a residential area. Falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation, the highway has been earmarked for an interchange onto Sayward Road.
For now, however, Sanders is looking for simpler solutions to help slow traffic heading into the troublesome curve.
“It’s amazing how neighbours can come up with solutions on signage and can point out to people who don’t drive the road all the time what they see as ways to make it simpler.”

Oak Bay Community Association Starts at the Grass Roots

2008-07-27T00:03:00.000-07:00

www.chezkirby.ca

Kumbaya and moi19 Jun 2008 10:51 pm
building community

I just got home from a great meeting. It was held in someone’s home, and so many people came that we were crammed in like sardines. There were probably thirty some people there to show that they were interested in starting a community association for Oak Bay!

Having grown up with my Dad as President of the Windermere Community Association forever, well for longer than he would have liked to do the job, and then my Mum and my sister still going strong there, the idea comes naturally to me. Of course I would participate!

There were a number of young women there, which was very encouraging to see. We live in an area that is often stereotyped as being only older folks, so it’s nice to see myself reflected in the group. I am not the token “young person” anymore!

Vicki Sanders, a Saanich Councillor, with a long history in community associations came to get us started. She gave us some ideas as to how to get started, and what our purpose might be as a community association. Everyone had a chance to speak to their reasons for coming to the meeting, and it was very interesting to hear what matters to my neighbours! Issues that they hope to address in Oak Bay are cycling and bike lanes, safety for children on bicycles, banning pesticides, community gardens, block watch and security, density and secondary suites, managing and maintenance of Uplands Park, and land use issues surrounding development, or sometimes the lack thereof in Oak Bay.

Many of the participants spoke to a more philosophical desire for a sense of community, of getting to know your neighbours, and feeling apart of something greater, some larger than just your house, your family. I couldn’t agree more!

Vicki Sanders suggested that we might include a social component, as well as deal with issues that concern us. We may find that we need to sprout off into two separate groups, one North and one South, but for now I think we’re going to stick together and get started.

So, if you live in Oak Bay, please watch for news of our first meeting, hopefully at one of the Recreation centres, which will hopefully be provided for free!

I am really looking forward to participating in the building of an Oak Bay Community Association. I know I’ve certainly been envious when I’ve attended Mum and Tot, FoodRoots Feasts, or other great events at Fairfield Community Place. And now, here we are making it happen in my community! I’m so excited to be apart of this kind of positive change! This is the only missing piece in my sense of belonging here, and now it’s coming together. I might stop hearing the call of the Kootenays now. Well, let’s face it, that won’t ever go away, but at least now I might be more satiated with visits.

Bowker's ready to party

2008-06-11T23:32:00.000-07:00

June 09, 2008
Roszan Holmen
News staff

After four years of research and planning, the Bowker Creek Initiative team is ready to party.
Neighbours are invited to celebrate the creek on June 14. It's the first major public-awareness event since the initial outreach campaign in 2004. At that time, creek-restoration campaigners put up signs to alert people to the creek's existence, since it flows mostly underground in pipes.
"This drainage system is about more than getting water off the street," said Tanis Douglas, the creek initiative's co-ordinator. "People have an interest beyond storm water capacities," she said, adding the creek is a focal point for recreational activities, natural beauty and as an informal greenway weaving through Victoria, Oak Bay and Saanich. One of the main goals of the initiative is to daylight -- bring the creek back to ground level -- sections of the waterway. Another goal is to find ways to prevent constant flooding in areas like Fireman's Park and Trent Street.

In March, the committee completed a technical report outlining options for the eight-kilometre creek. In some places, it recommends daylighting and in others it recommends increasing underground pipe capacity. Other solutions include buying properties particularly prone to flooding and building detention ponds. The overall cost estimate for the project is around $30 million.
Considering the price tag, Douglas predicts the project will proceed in a piecemeal way, as infrastructure ages and needs to be replaced.
The next phase of the plan is the most difficult, she said. "Now we're getting to the point of social decision making and that's what going to be interesting. Trading values off against each other."
The party on Saturday will not address these controversial plans, however.
"It's time to reconnect with the public and share with you our vision for what we want with this creek," Douglas said.

Cheryl Bryce, lands manager for the Songhees Nation, has her own hopes for the watershed.
An old fish-bearing creek, Bowker provides a lot of access to traditional foods.
"That area is very well known for harvesting camas," said Bryce, who herself harvests the blue flowers in the parks. "It is really important to educate the community about how we still are connected to our homelands and our history."
As the price of imported food continues to rise, it makes sense to go back to natives foods, she said. She would like to find a way to reinstate the Songhees role in managing the environment and bringing back their traditional food.
Bryce will be speaking at the June 14 celebration. She'll bring camas bulbs with her and stories of her family's connection to the creek.

For more information about the Bowker Creek Initiative, visit www.bowkercreekinitiative.ca.
rholmen@saanichnews.com

Activities and events
The Bowker Creek Celebration takes place at Richmond elementary school, 2780 Richmond Rd, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Throughout the day there will be crafts, music, art installations, a watershed model, a seaquarium and a pledge sign-up.

The timeline of events are as follows:
-11:15: Walking Tours
-11:40: Storytime by local storyteller Gerald Harris
-12:00: Free wild salmon burger lunch
-1:00: Parade proceeds to BC Hydro Lands
-2:30: Speakers Vicki Sanders, Cheryl Bryce and Briony Penn
-3:00: Unveiling mosaic by Carolyn Knight
-3:15: Cake
-3:30: Great push mower challenge with prizes

Community Ponders Secondary Suite Project

2008-05-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

Vicki Sanders
Saanich News - May 07, 2008

Saanich with an average housing cost in excess of $500,000 faces the challenge of attracting people and, once here, having them remain. Housing affordability, uppermost in people’s minds these days, is not about being able to afford to live in the Uplands. It is about people spending more than 30 per cent of their income on food and shelter.
The Camosun Community Association recently brought together a panel representing Saanich, the region and the community. The impetus was Saanich’s draft official community plan, which suggests housing affordability options: granny suites, flex suites and secondary suites.
The community association wondered how these housing options, particularly secondary suites, would fit in their neighbourhood. Would it create neighbourhoods with a greater diversity of ages or alter the character of the neighbourhoods or create greater problems of parking and traffic? Would aging homeowners be able to stay in their homes while confronted with the need for care and the increasing costs of living?
By providing a “nanny suite” or mortgage helper would young people be able to become homeowners? Would this provide safe accommodation for the increasing needs of UVic and Camosun students?
The community association felt the answers for their community could be found in testing the options and encouraged Saanich to accelerate the concept of a community pilot project to test secondary suites.

Strawberry Vale Resident's Association's Farmers Market

2008-05-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

The opening of Strawberry Vale Resident's Association's farmer's market on April 19 was greeted by a freak snowfall.

The Market is open every Saturday at 10am at the Strawberry Vale Community Hall on Burnside Road. Great local produce available.

Auto showroom approved, but not without debate

2008-04-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

Kim Westad, Times Colonist
Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

A new automobile showroom got the go-ahead from Saanich council, amid debate whether it is the best use for land in an area that is seen as a "major centre" for the region.
To some, a new Infiniti car dealership in a 1,525 square metre building at the corner of Oak and Short streets is more of the same-old, same-old. But to the majority, even those who had their concerns about some design details, it's a significant investment at a corner that could use redevelopment.
Currently, the three lots at 3371 Oak St., and 829 and 841 Short St. are home to a three-storey office and retail building. Dick Graham wants to replace this building with a 10.5-metre-high contemporary building to house the Infiniti car dealership, with a showroom, office space and service garage.
The area, just south of Town and Country mall, in between Douglas and Blanshard streets, is designated in the regional growth strategy as one of the major centres, with the exception of downtown Victoria, Coun. Vic Derman said.
Such areas are seen as sites for higher-density, mixed-use developments, particularly one so close to the new Uptown centre.
That's the $150-million plus rebuilding of the old Town and Country shopping mall into a retail, office and potentially high-density residential site.
To develop the areas around it compatibly, Saanich needs to take more of a cohesive, long-term approach to the area, Derman said, or risk piecemeal development that doesn't add up to a walkable, complete community.
"If we continue to deal with this area and others that are potential major centres in isolation, we are going to do so much less than that we potentially should. It is shocking and unacceptable."
Saanich resident Ken Whitcroft urged council to have more of a vision for the area, saying it's not going to change into more of a mixed-use centre if the same businesses simply keep being replicated.
But other councillors said they welcomed the business improvement, particularly from a longtime, well-run Saanich business.
"This is really a first class building," said Mayor Frank Leonard. "A lot of people are worried about the economy and he's going ahead with a significant business improvement, with well-paying jobs. It's an important part of our economy to have reinvestment in the site."

Coun. Vicki Sanders didn't like having three vehicle display sites out front of the showroom. The development calls for three raised decorative pavement areas in front of the building. "I welcome the business, but I'd like to see it address the neighbourhood more," Sanders said.

Municipal staff noted that while the decorative pavement bays were understandable given the nature of the business, "it does raise questions as to the appropriateness of placing vehicle displays as part of the landscaping in a pedestrian, transit-oriented mixed use neighbourhood."
Council approved the development, except for Derman, but reduced the three decorative pavement areas to two.
Architect Alan Lowe said the new building will be "state of the art" with a signature glass showroom wall along Oak Street and be constructed of "high class materials."