A wave of concern swept through a Central Saanich neighbourhood on Wednesday, June 11, as approximately 60 residents gathered to protest the proposed development of a six-story, 131-unit rental building at 7840 Lochside Drive.
The rally, held on the sidewalk adjacent to the proposed site, saw concerned citizens urging the municipal council to reconsider granting the project the green light.
The crux of the residents' argument lies in the perceived strain the new development would place on existing infrastructure.
They highlighted that the neighbouring Marigold Lands development already houses 361 units, and the addition of another 131 would dramatically increase the community's population, adding hundreds of new residents and vehicles to the area.
"We think that the infrastructure is not able to handle that many more people," said resident Kathleen Bernz, echoing the sentiments of many present. "One and a half cars per unit means another 131 units are going to bring a lot more traffic."
The residents expressed particular concern about the potential safety risks posed by increased traffic volume, especially on Mt. Newton Cross Road between Pat Bay Highway and Lochside Drive, a stretch of road known for its high collision rate.
They fear the development will exacerbate the existing dangers and create a hazardous environment for pedestrians and drivers alike.
The district says traffic concerns on this section involve multiple jurisdictions and that they are working with the Ministry of Transportation, BC Transit and the Tsawout First Nation on long-term solutions.
Lorena Dulay of the Tsawout First Nation, a nearby resident, acknowledged the district's past efforts to improve the area, including recent upgrades to the Mt. Newton Pathway and the installation of accelerated crosswalks based on community feedback.
However, she stressed significant worries remained regarding neighbourhood safety.
"This intersection is terrible," Dulay said. "People are still worried and anxious and afraid of being in an accident here."
The proposed rental building, spearheaded by Starlight Developments, aims to include a single-level underground parking facility, 12 townhouse units, a commercial retail space and an amenity building.
According to their development application, the company has requested variances from the district to relax minimum setback requirements and maximum height limitations.
Protesters also voiced their discontent with the provincial Bill 44, enacted in 2023, which effectively eliminates public hearings for rezonings that align with the Official Community Plan (OCP).
Emilie Gorman, Central Saanich's director of corporate services, confirmed the proposed zoning for the rental building aligns with Central Saanich's 2023 OCP, which was developed over three years of public consultation, meaning a public hearing cannot be held.
"Since Bill 44, the district has not permitted public input on applications where hearings are prohibited, ensuring compliance and reducing legal risk," she explained.
Sharon Glynn, one of the rally's organizers, decried the law's impact, stating that it silences their concerns and deprives them of the opportunity to participate in crucial planning decisions.
On a municipal level, the group is also disappointed council has prohibited the 10-minute ‘delegation’ address.
“This public protest is one of the ways for people to have a voice,” she said.
The district says it is open to hearing feedback from the community, despite Bill 44.
In March 2024, a committee of the whole meeting was held to hear from Turgoose residents and "where permitted, the district continues to host accessible public hearings."
"We encourage residents to write in their comments; feedback is valuable to council and is shared with all council members and included on public agendas," Gorman added.
Beyond the traffic and procedural issues, the group expressed concerns about a lack of affordable housing, parking problems, a shortage of services in the area and the potential impact on the local hospital.
As the protest unfolded, resident Ken voiced out the core message the protesters hoped to convey to the mayor and council.
“Don’t build it; we’ve already exceeded our requirements for residences in this area,” he said.
The fate of the development now rests with the municipal council, which will weigh the concerns of the residents against the potential benefits of the project.
