It was with interest that I attended the meeting regarding the Sandown property.
“Free land”, it’s an interesting concept, however as most of us know there is no such thing as free.
The owners of Sandown naturally would jump at the proposal put to them for the land swap. Twelve acres of commercial property has a much greater value than the farm acreage.
North Saanich would get the farm acreage “free” but at what real cost? Report and studies need to be done. An environmental review of the property and clean up could be very expensive — thousands of dollars.
Upgrading or demolishing buildings is again costly. Rehabilitation of lands, improving the soil, draining water, supplies services, again very expensive to the taxpayers. Services to 12 acres of commercial property will also be also expensive. Taxes from the commercial property may or may not be forthcoming in a quick manner.
North Saanich is more expensive for commercial development and therefore has not been as attractive as the Sidney side of McDonald Park Road. The taxpayers of this community need to think long and hard and should be given a strong voice in the way of a referendum for this to proceed.
Conny McBride,
North Saanich