Since its release last October, the draft Quadra McKenzie Plan (QMP) has . While many initially viewed the project as , a citizens group argues this is just the surface of a much larger problem. Longtime Saanich residents Stuart Stark and Nancy di Castri warned it could become B次元官网网址渁 disasterB次元官网网址� for the municipality and residents in the targeted area.

The two community activists started getting an inkling of the project in late 2023. It was after attending public meetings hosted by the district that they started to grasp the potential extent of the plan. 

B次元官网网址淚 sat down and listened to the planner go through the panels and slides and I discovered that our house had been suddenly zoned to be six to eight storeys,B次元官网网址� said Stark, a retired heritage building consultant.

Stark and di Castri were horrified to learn that areas labelled as "urban hubs" were designated to welcome . The news came as a "shock," adding there was "no consultation" before the draft's release.

B次元官网网址淲e started getting quite anxious when we realized how much Saanich was going to change,B次元官网网址� said Stark.

B次元官网网址淭his is a plan that we believe would be a disaster for the entire Saanich municipality,B次元官网网址� added di Castri, a retired realtor. 

With concerns and opposition to the project flooding into Saanich council in recent months, Mayor Dean Murdock reiterated the importance of creating a plan that manages growth in the area while balancing residents' well-being.

Welcoming a wide range of feedback gathered through public meetings, emails, phone conversations and online surveys, Murdock ensured that these inputs would help city staff revise the draft to better align with the community's needs.

B次元官网网址淭his is a planning effort that has involved a considerable consultation process,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 regret the frustration and concern that it's generating among folks and want to assure everyone that the council has heard the concerns that are being raised.B次元官网网址�

After the draft's release, di Castri and Stark teamed up with 10 other residents to form , a local group aiming to block the plan. 

Although they understand the ongoing need for growth in the municipality, the two argued that, if approved, the QMP could B次元官网网址渦pendB次元官网网址� the lives of a fifth of Saanich's population.

B次元官网网址�25,000 people live in the area of the plan,B次元官网网址� said di Castri. B次元官网网址�25,000 people are going to have their lives abandoned and a lot of them do not realize it.B次元官网网址�

Since its launch, the group has canvassed over 2,000 homes, warning residents that multi-storey buildings could pop up in their backyards, potentially devaluing neighbouring properties and resulting in a loss of privacy.

B次元官网网址淭here's been developers leaving letters in people's mailbox saying, B次元官网网址楧o you want to sell?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said di Castri, calling it a developer-driven plan. B次元官网网址淲hat Saanich has signalled is that it's open season on development.B次元官网网址�

Murdock wants to dispel the misconception that the district intends to demolish single-family homes.

B次元官网网址淭here is absolutely no intention to demolish anyone's home,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓veryone who has found a home in Saanich will continue to [have] peaceful enjoyment as they always have.B次元官网网址�

The draftB次元官网网址檚 final version will include a land-use process for individual applications, all of which will follow an open public process, B次元官网网址渏ust as it always has beenB次元官网网址� noted Murdock. 

B次元官网网址淎ny land-use changes will still follow the rezoning process that's required B次元官网网址� all of which will also be subject to public input.B次元官网网址�

The community advocates also raised environmental concerns about the 20-year project. Home to numerous parks, green spaces, and sensitive habitats, some of which host endangered Garry oak meadows, di Castri and Stark worry that the areaB次元官网网址檚 flora and fauna will be B次元官网网址渉orribly affected by this plan.B次元官网网址�

However, the mayor maintained that measures will be in place to protect sensitive ecosystems, green spaces, and designated heritage buildings throughout the plan's execution, should it be approved.

B次元官网网址淭he plan would never put any of those at risk,B次元官网网址� said Murdock. B次元官网网址淚n fact, I think it will work to further enhance and support those efforts.B次元官网网址�

Stark and di Castri are also concerned with the strain the QMP would place on Saanich's current infrastructure.

B次元官网网址淚t's missing so many aspects of what I would call good planning,B次元官网网址� said Stark. B次元官网网址淵ou don't just want that density for the sake of density and ignore everything else.B次元官网网址�

, launched weeks ago by the group, has exceeded its initial goal of 2,500 signatures and now aims for 5,000.

The local group has met with the mayor and councillors to share their concerns.

B次元官网网址淭hey listened, which was good,B次元官网网址� said di Castri. B次元官网网址淏ut I often think, when the rubber meets the road, they just kind of ignore what the community wants and or what is best for the community.

The next steps in the QMP process involve council reviewing a staff report summarizing the communityB次元官网网址檚 concerns and recommended revisions, which will be presented in early February when the public will be invited to share their thoughts. The revised plan will be presented this spring.