The Central Saanich ratepayers society has made good on its promise to take the District of Central Saanich to court over the Vantreight development.
On Jan. 12 a challenge was filed in BC Supreme court alleging, “that the municipality of Central Saanich erred in allowing the subdivision to proceed, as it is contrary to the terms of the Official Community Plan which, according to the Local Government Act of BC, takes precedence over council decisions.” The suit asks the court to quash or set aside, the bylaw.
The OCP says there will be no development outside of the urban containment boundaries, said Residents and Ratepayers of Central Saanich Society president Ian Cameron. “This subdivision is clearly outside of the Saanichton containment boundary, and is not allowed by the OCP. The OCP was reviewed only two years ago, and the people of Central Saanich reaffirmed loudly and clearly that they did not want sprawl to eat up farm land. Growth was to be within the urban containment boundaries.”
“It’s sad on two (counts),” said Central Saanich Councillor Ron Kubek, who voted in favour of the development. “The ratepayers board is made up of a majority of people that lost in the last election and can’t deal with the fact that the majority (of residents) does not want their approach. And they haven’t looked at the whole decision.” Kubek said seeing 235 acres protected from further subdivision was worth the trade-off for the subdivision. “If you add it all up, those 235 acres are part of the whole subdivision, add to that the 32 acres and the seven acres for the community garden you get one house per 4.8 acres — how much more rural can you get?” Kubek said.
The ratepayers have raised some money for the court challenge from the community with a recent fundraising effort, but have yet to hear back from environmental groups they have approached.
“The fundraising we did turned out reasonably well,” said Cameron. “We had a good response from members and non-members and a fair number of people who are not residents of Central Saanich. We have yet to hear from other funding groups.”
Cameron says he believes the ratepayers have “an open and shut case” against the municipality. “If you look at the OCP, the first thing it says is there should be no development outside of the Urban Containment Boundary, and this is.”
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