It seems weB次元官网网址檙e writing more these days about public hearings and development consultations being well-attended, and how concerned residents in areas impacted by housing projects are raising their voices.

While doing so is seldom successful in keeping contentious projects from being approved in one form or another B次元官网网址� as was the case with a 20-unit townhouse complex rezoning proposal in Langford that saw 96 neighbours express their displeasure via petition B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 something to be said for the expression of concern from residents.

Developments take a long time to move from concept to reality and voices need to be heard throughout that process in order for those developments to be beneficial to the communities in which they are undertaken.

Obviously, not every citizenB次元官网网址檚 ideas will be incorporated into a project every time they raise their voice, but concerns cannot be addressed if those who could address them donB次元官网网址檛 know they exist.

If neighbours donB次元官网网址檛 suggest (or insist on) considerations of street widening, extra parking stalls, better lighting, a focus on storm water drainage, merging and turning lanes, green space protection, or whatever else is important for them as development plans move forward, the developer is forced to just assume the municipalityB次元官网网址檚 bylaws and guidelines are enough to work with.

And letB次元官网网址檚 face it, most developers will have whatB次元官网网址檚 best, or least expensive, for their particular project at the top of their mind, not necessarily whatB次元官网网址檚 best for the community. Without hearing from a developmentB次元官网网址檚 potential neighbours, they wonB次元官网网址檛 necessarily understand the latter, especially if they donB次元官网网址檛 live in the area.

So kudos to those who engage with the process, to those who make their voices heard when they have concerns about development.

You might not get projects shut down, but youB次元官网网址檒l give both developers and municipal governments things to consider as they move forward with their plans. Then youB次元官网网址檒l have a platform to stand on, after everything is said and done, from which to say either, B次元官网网址渨e told you so,B次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渢hank you.B次元官网网址�

Kudos also need to be given to those developers (whether private or public) who actively engage with the public and listen to people potentially affected by the work, so they can take those concerns into account while they design and complete their projects.