CBA executive nominations, 2009

There will be five two-year terms up for election at the Annual General Meeting of the Cordova Bay Association (CBA) for Community Affairs on Wednesday April 22, 2009, at 7 p.m. in Cordova Bay United Church, main hall.

The bylaws of the CBA require the appointment of a Nominating Committee (which cannot include anyone seeking election or re-election) and a canvass of the membership for interested CBA members. The Nominating Committee of three CBA members is required by the bylaws to present a slate of nominees that it recommends for election to the CBA executive. Nominations of CBA members may also be made independently from the committee, from the floor of the AGM, provided they are made by two CBA members in good standing and provided that the nominee(s) state their willingness to stand for election.

The Nominating Committee members are:

Leo Lee – 790 Destrube Place, 250-708-0585
e-mail: leomlee@leolee.ca

Saanich emergency program

Saanich has arranged some work shops for its emergency preparedness program. For further details and dates, please click on Emergency preparedness calendar.

'Futureproofing' your home or business with energy efficiency

As of October 1, 2008, the District of Saanich, will offer the following support to building and home owners ready to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their buildings:

** Access to more than $5000 in grants for windows, doors, heating, insulation, solar hot water and more though the ecoENERGY/LiveSmart BC grants programs for single detached homes, row townhouses and mobile homes.
** Free ‘Lighting Audits’ through BC Hydro’s Product Incentive Program, for small to medium office and multi-unit residential buildings AND access to lighting rebates.
** Free building energy audits, contractor coordination and retrofit funds of up to $1700 per unit for buildings that house low-income tenants.
** Free ‘GreenStart’ consultations to help decide which grant or rating programs are most relevant to your building type!

Plus, please join us for one or all of the Free workshops listed below. Admission is free, but space is limited. Register by calling Jayne Rossworn at 250 381-9995 or emailing community@citygreen.ca.

October 29, 2008 - Residential Energy Efficiency
November 26, 2008 - Business Energy Efficiency
December 4, 2008 - Alternative Energy

Details for all workshops: 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the University of Victoria
Engineering/Computer Science Building, Room 108.

For more information on any of these initiatives or to book a ‘GreenStart’ consultation, please contact Paula Steele at City Green Solutions, the Community Energy Manager for the District of Saanich: 250 381-9995, energuide@citygreen.ca www.saanich.ca/climate/climatechange.html

**Interchanges recommended for Pat Bay Highway**

An updated report for the Patricia Bay Highway recommends “preferred interchange locations” at Sayward Road, Mount Newton Cross Road, McTavish Road, Beacon Avenue, Wain Road and Lands End Road.

The report, by Urban Systems Ltd to the Ministry of Transportation and entitled “Highway 17 Corridor Planning Strategy”, builds on a 2001 report called “Vision For Highway 17.”

It was developed as a result of meetings over the last few years by the ministry as well as a steering committee comprised of Saanich Peninsula municipalities and BC Transit, BC Ferries and the Victoria International Airport Authority.

The report lists Claremont Avenue and Haliburton Road as “options for interchange locations.” One “concept” has a Haliburton Road overpass with Claremont Avenue “right-in, right-out” and the second concept reverses this with a Claremont Avenue overpass and Haliburton Road “right-in, right-out.” More work was needed to advance either concept, the report said, as well as further examination with area communities and other agencies.

The report says all accesses, other than interchanges, should be closed. In Cordova Bay that includes Old East Road, Wells Road, Cordova Bay Road, the rowing club, and Piedmont Drive.

As far as highway improvements are concerned, the report said there are “no shelf-ready projects to be advanced without significantly more planning and design.”

Saanich Mayor, Frank Leonard, told the Cordova Bay Association (CBA) that “any time and every time I hear that the MoT would like to meet with myself or council/councillors – I ask that they book a hall in Cordova Bay and meet the community first.”

No action has been taken on the report and the B.C. government has not allocated any money for changes to the highway. Nevertheless, the report is a look at what may happen to the highway. The previously-unpublished report, dated April 2007, was found by the CBA in an internet search.

The report is 55 pages long with eight pages of appendices To read the full report, please open this link, and click on: 2007-03-15-Final_Report_Hwy17_Corridor_Strategy.pdf. - or by Google: “highway 17 corridor planning strategy.”

What is stopping you from booking your
free home inspection?

What can you do to burglar proof your home?

The Saanich Police have for years offered in-home security inspections by a uniformed officer or Saanich Police Reserve officer. It is a great way to learn what you can do to improve the security of your home and your possessions.

If you call for your free in-home inspection, the officer will inspect your house exterior and interior, complete a work sheet and attempt to identify at least three significant improvements that can be made to improve the safety and security of your home.

For more information, and to book your in-home inspection please contact Cst Brad Brajcich at 250-475-4346.
To read the full article on the Saanich website, please click on this link.

SAANICH MUNICIPALITY

Tree Preservation Bylaw - Summary

As part of Saanich's effort to provide better service to its customers one of Saanich Parks’ Arborists is now available at the hall to answer any and all tree related enquiries. Visit or call during the posted times if trees are the issue.

Public inquiries pertaining to Tree Preservation on private property as well as requests for public tree work can still be made to the Parks office.

The information provided below is a condensed summary of the full Tree Preservation Bylaw.

Tree Info Line: 250-475-5522

The Arborist Is In:
10-11:30am, Monday to Friday
Committe Room 4, 3rd Floor, Municipal Hall - local 3425

Permit Applications & Info:
Parks Office - Municipal Yard
1040 McKenzie Avenue
Phone: 250-475-5522

Protected Trees

The Bylaw prohibits the removal of Garry Oak, Arbutus, Pacific Dogwood and Pacific Yew over 5 metres (16.3 feet) in height or 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) or more in diameter, Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar over 60 centimetres (24 inches) in diameter, and any other tree over 80 centimetres (31.5 inches) in diameter including significant trees.

The diameter of a tree is measured 1.4 metres (4.5 feet) above the ground. It can be determined by dividing the circumference by 3.142.

Offence and Fines

Tree damaging activities as defined in Section 9(a) of the Tree Preservation Bylaw are ticketing offences and subject to no less than a $100.00 fine for each tree. More serious damages or the removal of protected trees bring penalties of no less than $500.00 per tree for the first offence and $1,000.00 per tree for each subsequent offence.

Pre-Permit Criteria

Before you can receive a Permit as required by the Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 7632 you must meet minimum tree preservation criteria.

THE PLAN AND INVENTORY All protected trees must be shown on a plan. The location of each tree must be accurately plotted showing the trunk diameter and Protected Root Zone (PRZ). An inventory list of the protected trees on the site is necessary to identify the trees covered by a permit. If there are more than four (4) trees present a separate sheet for the inventory should be provided. Inventories of four (4) trees or less may be listed on the plan. The inventory shall assign each protected tree a reference number that is to be shown on the plan and the inventory. The trunk diameter (accurate to 1 cm) and Protected Root Zone (PRZ) (accurate to .5 m) must also be shown.

The diameter is determined by dividing trunk circumference at 1.4 m (4.5 feet) above the ground by 3.142. The PRZ is determined by multiplying the trunk diameter by 18. This calculates the radius of a circle around the trunk considered the tree’s root area.

Protective Fencing

Sturdy reinforced snow or other substantial fencing must be placed around any protected tree on the development site. The fencing must be installed before your permit will be issued. The fencing must remain upright and intact as long as development occurs. The fencing shall be placed to the edge of the PRZ and staked to include the PRZ area inside the fenced area. If the protected root zone is inside the building envelope the fencing is to be installed along the building envelope line or the agreed upon construction zone line.

Storage of Materials on Site

All materials: Soil, fill, lumber, equipment, etc., that are to be stored on site must remain outside the PRZ and/or outside the protective fence area.

Site Servicing Locations

The in-ground site services must be located so as to minimize damage to protected trees. If no service access is possible without impacting protected trees then damage limiting techniques must be employed. In cases where removal if protected trees must occur to allow service installation, replacement trees may be required. A replacement tree bond is required to ensure tree planting will take place at a location on site with consultation with Parks Staff.

Blasting

Blasting causes more damage to trees than almost any other construction activity. An on site meeting with the blaster and owner/contractor must be arranged to appraise expected damage and discuss damage limiting techniques. This meeting must take place before a permit can be issued.

Arborists' Reports and Service

A report from a certified arborist will be necessary if you wish to remove a protected tree due to conditions that are not obvious on a visual inspection. This would include estimation of critical root loss and assessing soundness of trees with visible defects. A certified arborist's services will be required for tree pruning to clear for building envelope air space, utility line corridors and driveway access. Root pruning by a certified arborist prior to excavation will be required if a service trench or excavation is to be made in the protected root zone and conditions are determined unfavourable for preservation of the critical roots.

WHAT THE CORDOVA BAY ASSOCIATION DOES FOR YOU

EXAMINES all proposals for development, subdivision and zoning changes in the community, to make sure they meet the requirements of the Cordova Bay Local Area Plan.

ATTENDS council and other relevant municipal meetings to monitor issues of concern to the community, and to put the community position to the Mayor and Council when required.

PROVIDES information and assistance to community residents with problems or questions about changes in local planning.

PROVIDES and maintains the community notice board in Cordova Bay Plaza.

PUBLISHES and delivers to your door “The Cordovan” four times a year.

MAINTAINS a website – www.cbasn.com – with news and information of relevance to Cordova Bay.

THIS WORK IS ALL DONE BY VOLUNTEERS

Please be part of the Cordova Bay Association by becoming a member. Membership secretary: Janice de Cunha (jmdecunha@shaw.ca)

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD

The Cordova Bay Association provides and maintains the Notice Board outside Cordova Bay Variety Store/Sub Post Office in the Cordova Bay Plaza. This board is provided for use by residents of Cordova Bay – subject to the following rules:

1. One notice per person.
2. All notices must be mounted with thumb tacks or pushpins. NO staples, nails or screws are allowed.
3. All notices must be dated and removed after thirty (30) days. Undated notices will be removed.
4. No commercial notices, please.
5. 5. Notices covering existing notices will be removed. Please be considerate.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION

Saanich Council Meeting Procedures

What Happens at a Council Meeting

Saanich's Council Procedure Bylaw regulates the proceedings of Council particularly with respect to meeting procedures and is used as a reference document.

Council presently meets Monday evenings and conducts the majority of its business as Committee of the Whole. The agenda format has the Council meeting first followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Decisions made in Committee of the Whole that require Council approval are normally ratified at the next Council meeting.

In Camera meetings are normally held following Committee of the Whole. In Camera meetings are held in the absence of the public and generally deal with property transactions, personnel matters and legal matters as outlined in the Procedure Bylaw.

Special Council meetings for the purposes of Public Hearings are held on Tuesday evenings and usually twice per month depending on the volume of applications.

Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan, and proposed heritage designations are required to be considered at Public Hearings. Amendments to land use contracts and restrictive covenants are also sometimes considered at Public Hearings depending on the type of amendment and how the application was originally dealt with.

Special Committee of the Whole meetings are occasionally held for matters that are controversial or will attract a large volume of speakers and are usually held on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

With the exception of In Camera meetings, Council, Committee of the Whole, Special Council and Special Committee of the Whole meetings are open to the public. Except for Council meetings, members of the public have the opportunity for input on the various agenda items.

How to Present an Issue to Council

What To Do

If you have an issue you wish to be considered by Council, submit a letter addressed to Mayor and Council outlining your concerns and either:

Mail it to: Mayor and Council, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria BC V8X 2W7

Or Email us at: clerksec@saanich.ca

Or Fax us at: 250-475-5440

What Happens Next?

Your request is forwarded to the appropriate department for a direct response to you or for a report to Council. If a report to Council is requested, the matter will be scheduled for consideration at a Committee of the Whole meeting once the report is received. The Municipal Clerk’s Office will advise you when the meeting has been scheduled in order that you may attend and make representation to Council if you so wish.

What is a Public Hearing?

A Public Hearing is actually a special Council meeting and is Chaired by the Mayor or in his absence the Acting Mayor. A Public Hearing is required for Council consideration of amendments to the Zoning Bylaw, Official Community Plan and Land Use Contracts and prior to the adoption of a heritage designation bylaw. Where development permits, development variance permits or temporary commercial/industrial use permits accompany Zoning or OCP amendments the permits are also considered at a Public Hearing.

Attending a Public Hearing

Council welcomes your participation at Public Hearings. These Hearings are subject to some formal rules and procedures and the following information is intended to help you better understand the process.

Who can speak at a Public Hearing?

At a Public Hearing, any person present who believes that he or she is affected by a proposed bylaw and/or permit will be given an opportunity to speak or to present a written submission. You do not have to register to speak at a Public Hearing.

What if I do not want to appear at the Public Hearing?

If you do not wish to speak at the Hearing or simply cannot attend, you may submit a letter by mail, fax 250-475-5440 or e-mail. All correspondence received until 4:30pm the date of the Hearing will be provided to each member of Council.

What will happen at the Public Hearing?

1. The Municipal Clerk will introduce each item following which the Council will be given an opportunity to ask questions of staff. The applicant will then be asked to detail his or her proposal to Council and the public.
2. Following the applicant's presentation, a request for public input will be called a total of 3 times for those persons wishing to be heard either in favour or in opposition to the application. If you wish to speak on the item being considered, you will be asked to come to the microphone, state your name and address and then give your comments. Please be aware that inappropriate language, outbursts or criticisms aimed at individuals or groups will not be condoned. Once the call for public input has been given 3 times, no further input from the public can be considered.
3. After all persons wishing to address Council have been heard, the applicant will be asked to respond to any questions, new information or factual matters raised.
4. Once the applicant has been provided an opportunity to respond, the Public Hearing will be closed and Council will be asked to debate the matter. No further submissions or public input may be received by Council.

Old Shed at Haliburton Farm