Saanich's unwillingness, or even outright refusal, to consider any input from its residents regarding developments comes as no surprise.
Years ago, Saanich put on quite the show of interest: for months consulting and mining suggestions from residents for the Cook Street area, between Maplewood and Quadra. While it would be impossible to implement every idea, some were highly desirable. And yet, not a single one was incorporated into the plans. Such a waste of time to participate in that process.
Outcome: asphalt on the road, upgraded sidewalks, raised bike lanes, two rain catchment areas, one concrete 'something' (perhaps for sitting on?), and four benches. Not much compared to the loss of 18 mature, deep-pink chestnuts and other trees, and the costs associated with a huge increase in traffic. Few walkers use the sidewalks and even fewer riders use the bike lanes. These are used mostly by drivers swerving onto them, to skirt around other drivers waiting to turn onto side streets.
So, no surprise then at "concerns" over Saanich's Quadra McKenzie Plan. Those plans are already completed. Everything else is simply "performative."
Jana Kalina and Larry Duberry
Saanich
