Newsletter January 3rd, 2019
“When you are half way up you are neither up nor down”
While this quotation doesn't relate to Oak Bay’s enviable position as a place to live, it does explain where we are in dealing with the problems we face.
The half way up part is Oak Bay has a new Council to represent and direct the District in the next four years, 2019-2022, as well as a very aware, concerned and competent resident base. A start to resolving our problems can begin with Council’s upcoming Priorities Session(s). It is expected that the priorities set will be based on, and influenced by, priorities identified in the recent civic election.
In the past seven years there have been many requests from a variety of sources for much more transparency and adequate notice. This included a number of Task Force and BC Ombudsperson’s recommendations. It is therefore also expected that the District’s commitments for improved resident consultation, collaboration and public engagement will be respected.
A number of priorities have been referred to in past Strategic Plans and Strategic Priority Reports: however most have only been referenced in a general way. Very few specifics or actions have been taken other than an initial staff or consultant analysis. The Urban Forest Recommendations of March 2017 are still awaiting implementation. This is but one example. Requests by some Councillors for written detailed progress and performance reports on Strategic Priority implementation actions were unsuccessful. Resident requests to measure performance outcomes also fell short.
The Official Community Plan interpretations by the District’s Planning Department regarding land use decisions have not been well accepted. Many resident delegations repeatedly pointed out that the OCP public interest sections and subsections received little or no consideration.
Oak Bay Watch’s Perspective:
We fully realize changes will not occur overnight especially with the amount of improvement that is required. We appreciate that some new Council members were not involved in the decision-making and most of the current incumbents voted on the side of the general public interest. However, we reiterate what an outgoing Council member accurately stated, “It is clear that Oak Bay wants to move in a different direction". Effective changes and improvements can be made to balance the various interests involved. However, that a change of direction and improvement was required was indicated by:
Oak Bay Watch will be providing a list of what have been clearly indicated as the top resident priorities for moving forward and we are confident that the current Council is capable of the leadership that is necessary to make the positive changes that are required.
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*******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)
Keep informed please sign up for our newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.
“When you are half way up you are neither up nor down”
While this quotation doesn't relate to Oak Bay’s enviable position as a place to live, it does explain where we are in dealing with the problems we face.
The half way up part is Oak Bay has a new Council to represent and direct the District in the next four years, 2019-2022, as well as a very aware, concerned and competent resident base. A start to resolving our problems can begin with Council’s upcoming Priorities Session(s). It is expected that the priorities set will be based on, and influenced by, priorities identified in the recent civic election.
In the past seven years there have been many requests from a variety of sources for much more transparency and adequate notice. This included a number of Task Force and BC Ombudsperson’s recommendations. It is therefore also expected that the District’s commitments for improved resident consultation, collaboration and public engagement will be respected.
A number of priorities have been referred to in past Strategic Plans and Strategic Priority Reports: however most have only been referenced in a general way. Very few specifics or actions have been taken other than an initial staff or consultant analysis. The Urban Forest Recommendations of March 2017 are still awaiting implementation. This is but one example. Requests by some Councillors for written detailed progress and performance reports on Strategic Priority implementation actions were unsuccessful. Resident requests to measure performance outcomes also fell short.
The Official Community Plan interpretations by the District’s Planning Department regarding land use decisions have not been well accepted. Many resident delegations repeatedly pointed out that the OCP public interest sections and subsections received little or no consideration.
Oak Bay Watch’s Perspective:
We fully realize changes will not occur overnight especially with the amount of improvement that is required. We appreciate that some new Council members were not involved in the decision-making and most of the current incumbents voted on the side of the general public interest. However, we reiterate what an outgoing Council member accurately stated, “It is clear that Oak Bay wants to move in a different direction". Effective changes and improvements can be made to balance the various interests involved. However, that a change of direction and improvement was required was indicated by:
- The number of different delegations that packed Municipal Hall for important agenda items.
- Resident priorities that have topped the list in recent surveys.
- The many resident submissions to Council
- The number of land use and over-building resident complaints.
- The significant increase in demolitions.
- The number of trees lost to clear cuts.
- Ombudsperson and Privacy Commission findings.
- The way the Official Community Plan has been interpreted (as noted above).
Oak Bay Watch will be providing a list of what have been clearly indicated as the top resident priorities for moving forward and we are confident that the current Council is capable of the leadership that is necessary to make the positive changes that are required.
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*******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)
Keep informed please sign up for our newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.