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Please don’t pave land that can produce food

Why is this project revisited? Consider the emotional toll this takes on the people affected.

Re: Proposed Future Growth Area (FGA) in Central Saanich.

The public meeting (Wednesday, April 22) heard the majority of the speakers voicing their concerns about this FGA in Central Saanich for a variety of reasons: the ‘minor’ change in the OCP opening the door for further development, the damage to the character of the region, the diminishing of the food-producing areas (even though the lands in question are not in the ALR).

I would like to add my voice to this opposition to the project.

I would like the council to consider the following:

• Increased truck traffic in and around agricultural land and on the main arteries to Butchart Gardens.

• Increased traffic in an area frequently used by cyclists.

Supporters of this project pointed out the small amount of food produced by the 14 properties with farm-designation in the proposed FGA; I would argue that any food producing area is better than paved land.

This proposal will involve displacement of the families living in the affected areas, some of them long-time residents with no intention to move. The council may want to consider the human misery cost of this project

Many speakers asked ‘Why?’

Why is this project revisited? Consider the emotional toll this takes on the people affected.

The council vote can change the shape of Central Saanich in the future. Our grandchildren will judge us by these decisions.

The way things are going in the world right now I think they’ll be happy with the legacy of clean food, air and water. Please don’t pave any land that can produce food.

Ion Buicliu, Central Saanich