A bunch of us who live near 1899 Cochrane St., the site of a proposed eight-townhouse development, have managed to convince Saanich not to allow the developer to remove a majestic 80-year-old tree we call Big Monty. It took letters to Planning and Engineering, meetings with councillors, rallies, media exposure and a petition with over 600 signatures to achieve this. However, Seba Construction still plans to build a unit, somewhat smaller, but so close to Monty that it’s well within the tree’s critical root zone. As well, they are seeking permission to prune the crap out of Monty to squeeze the unit in. According to artificial intelligence, this combination does not bode well for the survival of the tree in the long term. Apparently, other developers have been permitted to prune “problem” trees to the point that they die not long after, and then no permit is needed to remove the dead tree. Bill 44 allows eight units on this site. Why not build eight compact units that don’t stretch the thing from lot line to lot line? Nope. Why not build two floors above grade and one below so that it’s more in context with the houses around it? Nope. Why not build a flat roof instead of a peaked one so that the height of the thing is not so imposing? Nope. Why not have more off-street parking? Nope. Because our other petition with over 300 signatures addressing the above issues is being disregarded, we are faced with three storeys plus a peaked roof in a two-storey neighbourhood, four of seven trees removed and the rest in danger, one guest parking stall for the whole complex, increased run-off on our slope that has some neighbours really worried, a popular pedestrian/bike way that will become dangerously congested and eight high-end townhouses that will definitely not provide affordable housing for those who need it most. On top of this, the developer has asked for five variances. Dave Secco Saanich
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