A local advocacy group praises SaanichB次元官网网址檚 conditional purchase of a land deemed surplus by BC Hydro.
Saanich announced Jan. 30 the agreement to purchase a 2.2-hectare parcel of land between Kings Road and Haultain Street for $5.5 million from BC Hydro.
Bruce Kennedy from the Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria said the organization remains concerned about councilB次元官网网址檚 reluctance to deal with the municipalityB次元官网网址檚 infrastructure.
B次元官网网址淭hat said, itB次元官网网址檚 rare that a large parcel of land is available and so we commend council for listening to the community and looking for a creative way to pay the $5.5 million bill,B次元官网网址� said Kennedy.
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SaanichB次元官网网址檚 announcement marks a major turning point in the history of the property. BC Hydro has owned the property since 1958 and recently determined it is surplus to its needs. It offered the land to the provincial government, Crown agencies and local First Nations, before Saanich accepted the opportunity to purchase it following a community campaign to turn the land into a public park.
Saanich, for its part, has not yet announced its plans for the land. Mayor Fred Haynes said decisions about land use B次元官网网址� including the possibility of park or development use B次元官网网址� will be made in the future, mostly based on the ability to raise $2.75 million.
B次元官网网址淚f Saanich council is unable to raise this amount to offset the incurred debt, Saanich intends to dispose of a portion of the property to recuperate some of the cost,B次元官网网址� said spokesperson Kelsie McLeod.
Potential funding sources include other local governments, community associations and organizations and residents, with more information coming forward at a later date.
Kennedy cited these aspects in his analysis. B次元官网网址淎t this point itB次元官网网址檚 important to remember itB次元官网网址檚 just land and may or may not become a park, with any added benefit of improving the quality of life and the environment for its residents,B次元官网网址� he said.
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B次元官网网址淚n our view defraying the cost for taxpayers by using a portion of the land for social or student housing is an option that should be looked at closely,B次元官网网址� he said. Saanich, he added, could also review its assets to ease the pain for taxpayers.
B次元官网网址淭he CRD has in the past purchased land for parks, so an urban park should also be a realistic option,B次元官网网址� he said.
Kennedy said he is not sure though that other municipalities will help Saanich. B次元官网网址淎sking Oak Bay and the City of Victoria for tax dollars will be a non-starter with its residents,B次元官网网址� he said.
Saanich will consider a financial plan amendment to borrow $4 million toward the purchase price, with the other $1.5 million coming from reserve funds.
B次元官网网址淐ouncil has understandably discussed the purchase of this property to date through in-camera sessions,B次元官网网址� said Kennedy. B次元官网网址淕rumpy Taxpayer$ urges council to rise and report on those previous sessions, and toB次元官网网址how transparency on the project.B次元官网网址�
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