A controversial review of North Saanich’s official community plan — which has pitted those in favour of new development options for the area against those adamantly opposed — will live for another day.
This week, North Saanich council adjourned discussion of the next steps in the review process until December.
At a special meeting Monday night, council managed only to accept an updated summary report from the consultants leading the review process. It never got to the question of what to do with the review process — district staff had recommended moving ahead with a revised engagement plan, but left the door open to council stopping or postponing the process.
Mayor Geoff Orr said the question of whether to scrap or pause the process remains on the table.
“I don’t think council is ready to make that decision very easily,” he said, noting there could be financial implications of cancelling contracts as well as the cost of restarting a review process in the future.
“We have a difficult task, as many councils do,” he said, noting they have to weigh the views of residents opposed to development, and the views of those open to exploring new options.
“It’s a challenge. We don’t want to be in a position where it is one or the other — it has to be a blend of all of it,” he said.
This week, council heard a detailed summary of the review process so far, with some of the concerns about the direction of the process addressed by the consultant’s report. Concerns have included lack of focus on key issues such as agriculture and climate change as well as complaints about the quality of public engagement.
It also heard that the next engagement process will offer more in-person sessions and the advisory group that is steering the process will check in more frequently with council.
The public was less appreciative Monday night.
The majority of the 45 residents who registered to address council said they had grave concerns about the way the review has been done, with many advocating for it to be paused or scrapped.
They raised the spectre of development eating away at North Saanich’s rural character, raising concerns about the effects of densification on infrastructure and food security.
Many reiterated a well-worn refrain — they are not being listened to.
One resident noted their voices have not been reflected in any of the summary reports so far. “There’s no better way to undermine human beings and relationships than to make people feel they haven’t been listened to,” she said, adding she felt as though the process was being steered by district staff and the consultants rather than council.
“I would like the council to grab this plan by the throat and shake the hell out of it and let it finally speak for the people who live here and love this place with all our hearts.”
Others said they do not want any more taxpayer money going to fund the rest of the review process — council didn’t have time Monday to tackle a motion recommending the approval of a revised budget of $127,617 in 2022 for the additional scope of the review.
One resident said it was embarrassing that the consultant “is asking for more money to change our community.”
Others spoke in favour of the review process, noting it’s a difficult task to pull the various factions in the region together, but even then there were questions about a lack of meaningful engagement over the past year.
Council will meet again next month to decide if it will endorse the next phase of public engagement in the process, a new work plan and budget as well as revised land-use options.
aduffy@timescolonist.com
