I’m sure there are many people wondering why all the fuss about a relatively small apartment block on Oak Bay avenue.
It really is a very big issue for our community. This is because it’s about the difference between allowing appropriate development versus inappropriate development. This council has indicated it wants to develop and there is nothing wrong with that. However, supporting overbuilding, wiping out neighbour’s transition zones, severely cutting parking requirements and then allowing parking areas in buildings at street level, in residential areas is unacceptable if Oak Bay is to remain a desirable place to live.
Despite substantial community opposition council has recently decided to allow the Clive rezoning proposal to reach an advanced public meeting stage -– when clearly it is far beyond the development standards Oak Bay has set.
The majority of council has stated in meetings they support the proposal – so in effect they support inappropriate development in Oak Bay. By advancing the Clive, council is not fulfilling their election promises to maintain Oak Bay’s character.
If approved, this will be just one of many overbuilt developments that will follow. Not all council members support this proposal and have tried to explain the harm and risks involved.
It’s upsetting that it has taken so much community time, energy and expense in the past few years to get council to turn down one inappropriate development after another.
Surely by now they should realize residents want zoning standards maintained?
Council has informed residents that when new housing types and developments are written into the new Official Community Plan, they can, “Assume the key issues such as tree protection, parking, traffic, noise, and neighbourhood character will be addressed.” However, if council approves the
Clive how can we trust them to honor this commitment?
Anthony Mears
Oak Bay
