See Community ConVersAtion Point. Community ConVersAtion||Share Shareyour yourvision visionfor forhow howwe wecan cantransform transformOgden Ogden Point. Page 16 GVHA.CA tHurs, noV 19, 2015 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ||Pier BB- -185 Dallas Road ||Free parking forGVHA.CA More tHurs, noV 19, 2015 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Pier 185 Dallas Road Free parking Community ConVersAtion | Share your vision for how we can transform Ogden Point. Details GVHA.CA
tHurs, noV 19, 2015 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Pier B - 185 Dallas Road | Free parking
Fitting salute
War monument unveiled at Broadmead lodge Page A7
NEWS: Event sparks girls’ interest in code /A5 COMMUNITY: Work party restores neighbourhood path /A9 SPORTS: Rams tame Bulldogs for first-round bye /A15
SAANICHNEWS Friday, November 13, 2015
Gray Rothnie
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Saanich remembers Retired Col. Stan Brygadyr (left), retired R e a r- A d m i r a l Ken Summers, re t i re d Regimental Sgt. Maj. Gordy Quan and Lt. Col. Heather McClelland give a salute during the Remembrance Day ceremonies Wednesday at Saanich Municipal Hall. Hundreds lined the grounds in front of the Saanich cenotaph to honour the sacrifice of Canada’s armed forces personnel. Dan Ebenal/News Staff
Thousands of trees being removed along Watkiss Way Travis Paterson News Staff
Saanich has confirmed issuing a permit to remove upwards of 4,900 trees on the 12-hectare property along Watkiss Way, directly north of the Victoria General Hospital. Doug Henderson, director of parks and recreation at the District of Saanich, can’t recall a tree removal as significant in his time with the municipality. “We understand the scope of it but it doesn’t change the legislation or bylaw that we have to follow,” Henderson said. It’s the latest chapter in the story of the
Watkiss Way saga, which has gained plenty of attention for its potential as a sewage treatment site and a park. Because 11 of the 12 hectares are within the Agricultural Land Reserve, there was no stopping owner Allen Vandekerkhove from receiving the tree removal permit, which he says will make way to farm, likely hay. The permit application originally came to Saanich in October 2014. Saanich asked for additional info, such as some clarity on the area of trees and an indication that soils in that area could sustain a crop. The owner, Vandekerkhove, brought those to Saanich in October 2015 and received the permit.
But others, such as Mayor Richard Atwell, are hoping there is still a chance to rescue the property, and some of the trees, for a better purpose than crops. Vanderkerkove also owns the surrounding properties and said earlier this year he’s open to either selling or leasing the land to the Capital Regional District to house its wastewater treatment and biosolids processing facilities. Vandekerkhove and Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins originally asked the CRD to consider the site as a potential sewage site in 2013 but that didn’t take. In June 2015, Saanich council voted 5-4 against Atwell’s motion to forward the property
2014 Built Cordova Bay Home
Spacious 2 Bedroom Unit
5092 Clutesi Street MLS 356153 $1,050,000
#312-1025 Inverness Road $159,900
RE/MAX Camosun
250.220.5061
to the CRD, so the latter could add it to their long list of potential treatment sites and pump stations. When Atwell brought it back to council in July for reconsideration, it was again voted down as a potential site for CRD to review. Atwell, who was a CRD sewage critic with the RITE Plan prior to becoming mayor, believes farming the property is Plan B for the Vandekerhoves. “He spent $100,000 of his money on a (sewage site) proposal to bring to Saanich,” Atwell said. “Council should have been looking at all the options, the impacts of all the decisions, and the community should have been involved in the process.”
Rancher in the Heart of Gordon Head 1890 Grandview Drive MLS 357462 $650,000
www.preferredhomes.ca
Guy
Scott
Karl