Having lived on the Saanich Peninsula for over two decades, the debate over North SaanichB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s review of their official community plan (OCP) is both informative and interesting.
Updating the OCP is important and it is time to move on. We need to preserve the rural-greenspace landscape as we adapt to climate change. We need to provide housing to address the needs of a changing, stressed society. We need to build a stronger relationship with the WSANEC people. And, we need to foster a healthy and sustainable environment for the future.
However. expecting North Saanich to address these critical, and often conflicting, interests alone perhaps isnB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t fair. Given that Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney are each reviewing their official community plans, a growing number of people and organizations are suggesting that now is the time for the three municipalities to collaborate on a common vision and insert a coordinating framework into their OCPs that addresses these varied and critical issues collaboratively. Working together they can build a future environmental, economic and community health for the Saanich Peninsula for which we can all be proud.
What a leadership opportunity.
Bob Peart
North Saanich