Preserving existing trees is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective ways to fight climate change, yet Sannich appears to be ignoring its own climate policy documents with regard to the development proposal at 4015 Braefoot. This property is a two-acre former hobby farm covered with mostly mature Garry oaks.
Mature Garry oaks are very efficient at sequestering CO2 and are very well adapted to high temperatures, intense UV radiation, and drought, making them important trees in the fight against climate change. The developer, however, in response to Saanich's direction for multi-family housing on the site, is proposing to remove 68 mostly mature Garry oaks to accommodate 24 townhomes.
I realize there is a housing crisis in Greater Victoria, and Saanich is obligated to meet the arbitrary housing goals set forth in Bill 44, but we can't just blindly build houses without considering other factors, like climate change.
One of the key actions listed in the Saanich Urban Forestry Strategy is: "Revise planning and design processes to consider trees earlier in the process." This has not occurred in this case.
The Urban Forestry Strategy also refers to the importance of retaining and preserving "exceptional trees", big trees with large canopy areas which provide extensive ecosystem services. The proposed development site contains four Garry oaks with trunks over a metre in diameter, at least three of which are slated for removal.
One of the future goals listed in the Saanich Climate Plan Report Card for 2023 states: "...the removal of carbon from the atmosphere by trees, plants and ecosystems in Saanich is increased." The removal of 68 mature Garry oaks would not only decrease the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere, but actually increase carbon in the atmosphere when the trees are inevitably chipped, burned, or left to decompose.
I urge Saanich council to respect the time and effort that Saanich staff and the public put into the development of these documents, by considering less invasive development options for this site, including perhaps, a single condominium or apartment building using the footprint of the original farmhouse.
Murray Goode
Saanich
