I am the owner of one of the many properties that have been included in the Saanich environmental development permit area mapping. Can anyone tell me why I am restricted from disturbing any soil on my property while Saanich has given permission for two nine-storey buildings to be built on the adjacent property?
The Saanich biologist, at our request, inspected my property and also my neighbour’s property. She admitted there was no apparent evidence of a sensitive ecosystem, but would not have them removed from the EDPA. Her suggestion was to hire a registered biologist, have him inspect the properties and if no sensitive ecosystem found, request Saanich remove them from the EDPA.
Did that. Biologist confirmed there was no sensitive ecosystem. Saanich still refuses to have these properties removed from the EDPA. Coun. Vicki Sanders said: “With the Christmas Hill property, this is part of a contiguous forest that goes right up Christmas Hill.”
If you would like to know what a contiguous forest looks like, just glance to your right as you drive north on the Pat Bay Highway at McKenzie Avenue. All you will see are rooftops.
Teresa Bijold
Saanich
