North Saanich is starting an assessment at Sandown Park after okaying up to $10,000.
Council authorized an environmental review and traffic impact assessment for a cumulative amount of $10,000 before taxes with the proviso that no additional funds be spent without council’s approval.
The reviews are part of the early processes in a proposal that would see 82 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve in municipal hands.
With harness racing halted on the 95-acre property council was concerned about what might happen with the land and approached the property owners with a proposal to have about 12 acres of municipally owned land moved into the Agricultural Land Reserve in exchange for the removal of 12 acres of the Sandown property close to McDonald Park Road. The proposal also includes the removal of commercial uses in the current P-6 zoning from 83 of the 95 acres and, in consideration of new commercial uses and density on 12 of the 95 acres, transfer of the remaining 83 acre parcel to municipal ownership, with a covenant registered on title to ensure that the land remains in agricultural use.