Don’t expect there to be much more public input on a pair of North Saanich area housing development proposals — other than what municipal government legislation calls for as each application works through the system.
That was the message delivered by the majority of North Saanich council in their recent rejection of Mayor Alice Finall’s proposal to seek additional public consultation options on issues relating to density.
The idea from councillor Celia Stock that this kind of public input requires a council to have an open mind — and not a mind made up — is nice thinking. But that’s as far as that goes.
It’s clear most, if not all, of council has its mind made up. The positions are clear and they say that’s been the case since the last municipal election.
A majority wants such growth to take place as soon as it is able. The rest are for a more measured approach at best — little to no growth at worst.
This is a voting pattern that a little public input isn’t going to change.
To do that, North Saanich’s elected officials would have to disregard their constituents’ and their own opinions to really try to be objective. For some, that could be politically dangerous and why there’s unlikely to be major shifts in position around the table.
If council sticks with the mandated public hearings and developer information meetings, there are only two specific moments at which residents can have their say. And both offer little or no back-and-forth between the council and their citizens.
People can, of course, fill the council chamber and lobby the politicans on their own time.
Yet, council, if it so decides, doesn’t have to set aside any more time. Citizens hope, then, that they use that time wisely.