NEWSLETTER April 30th, 2017
The Cadboro Bay /Bowker Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday May 3, 2017 at Oak Bay High School. The Development proposal for 43 condos will require significant variances for density, tree cutting and parking. The minimal commercial component has already allowed for extensive relaxations over a normal multi-unit residential building – could more profit be the objective?
The main issues are:
Council is the Community’s regulator, it is one of their main functions – We do not want our streets lined with cars, we do not want overbuilt mega developments, we do not want to lose so many mature trees - will Council protect our Community? Council must realize if it lowers our standards to this degree Oak Bay will not maintain its status as a desirable place to live.
The development Community and their supporters will be out in force. We urge you to attend next Wednesday’s Public Hearing to hear the debate and see your Council in action. A 4-3 vote is likely unless strong Community opposition can be demonstrated. Come and support your neighbours and the three Councilors who oppose this invasive development. Hear what the mayor and his Councilors have to say about this over-development and who votes to approve or reject it.
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
The Cadboro Bay /Bowker Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday May 3, 2017 at Oak Bay High School. The Development proposal for 43 condos will require significant variances for density, tree cutting and parking. The minimal commercial component has already allowed for extensive relaxations over a normal multi-unit residential building – could more profit be the objective?
The main issues are:
- The proposed building is much too big for the site and lot;
- There is already a serious safety issue at this intersection;
- Adequate on-site parking will not be provided resulting in more street parking;
- All trees and vegetation are to be removed;
- This over-development could easily set off a chain reaction to evict tenants and convert existing rental apartment complexes into Condos.
- Oak Bay’s zoning bylaws & standards provide a balance between developer profit objectives and protections for the community. Variances are intended to be slight zoning variations not wholesale deviations. If the deviations, like those applied for, heavily favor the developer the community suffers the consequences.
Council is the Community’s regulator, it is one of their main functions – We do not want our streets lined with cars, we do not want overbuilt mega developments, we do not want to lose so many mature trees - will Council protect our Community? Council must realize if it lowers our standards to this degree Oak Bay will not maintain its status as a desirable place to live.
The development Community and their supporters will be out in force. We urge you to attend next Wednesday’s Public Hearing to hear the debate and see your Council in action. A 4-3 vote is likely unless strong Community opposition can be demonstrated. Come and support your neighbours and the three Councilors who oppose this invasive development. Hear what the mayor and his Councilors have to say about this over-development and who votes to approve or reject it.
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)