Coun. Dean Murdock to be guest speaker

Coun. Dean Murdock, the youngest member of Saanich council who has a special interest in transportation, will be the guest speaker at the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs (CBA) Annual General Meeting on Friday April 16 at 7 p.m. in the main hall of Cordova Bay United Church, Claremont Avenue at Del Monte Avenue. There will be a question and answer period.

And Lana Popham, the MLA for Saanich South, has been invited to join us.

At the business meeting after the refreshment break, CBA members will elect six directors for two-year terms to the executive. Five incumbents are in the middle of their two-year terms. If you are interested in serving on the executive, please contact any member of the present executive and your name will be given to the Nominating Committee for consideration when it is appointed.

Resignation of president - Roger Stonebanks

This is to inform you that Roger has been obliged to resign as president of the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs (CBA), and as a member of the CBA executive, effective with consideration of #15 of the agenda of the executive meeting on December 9, 2009. He will also be unavailable for consideration at the AGM election on April 16, 2010. This is entirely due to a serious health reason, and he needs to now concentrate his energies and attention on his road to recovery.

"It has been my pleasure to be an executive member of our community association for eight years -seven of them as president and one as first vice-president. Good memories. We have made great strides in a number of directions and the credit goes to everyone who volunteered time and effort."

Roger is going to be missed by the executive, not only as president but as a 'font of all knowledge' concerning Cordova Bay. We all wish him a very speedy recovery.

Retirees enjoy regular hikes

The Cordova Bay Hikers meet every Wednesday, September to June. Most members are retirees. Morning hikes and longer lunch hikes are scheduled each week. The two main social events are a Christmas potluck luncheon and a picnic in June. Each year there are overnight hikes, staying in accommodation for one or two nights. If you are interested, just go to the Cordova Bay shopping plaza at 8:45 a.m. on any Wednesday. The 2010 season resumed on January 6.

Lawn bowling club invites new members

Lake Hill Lawn Bowling club, located in Reynolds Park near the intersection of Blenkinsop and Cedar Hill Cross road, is inviting new members this spring. The game is easy to learn, fun, tactical, competive and provides very good moderate exercise. The outdoor playing season is May to October, six days a week and games are played by teams of four, triples, pairs and singles.

Teams can be all women, all men, or mixed. Open draws are popular, playing triples or pairs, with a mix of teams of varying experience. There's no need to commit to a specific day or time and white attire is optional for regular club games, lessons and practice sessions.

A moderate annual fee of $150 includes winter carpet bowling and social events year round. Imagine! For only $12.50 a month you will have fun and recreation all year.

Come to our open house on Saturday, May 8, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in our new club house. Give the game a try, meet our members and enjoy some refreshments. Our address is 3930 La Salle Street, off Reynolds. If you can't make it that day, call Linda McClung at 250-479-1053 or Haji Charania at 250-479-8072 and we will meet you at the club anytime.

Community mapping on the Saanich Peninsula

The Saanich Inlet and Peninsula Atlas of Shorelines (SIPAS) is a co-ordinated effort from three non-profit organizations to provide relevant data for those who make decisions regarding local shorelines.

Community mapping is a global movement which showcases the stories, resources and initiatives of local people in their own communities. The Saanich Inlet and Peninsula Coastal Community Map is an ongoing project which many people have already contributed to. It connects people to history, volunteer opportunities, local news, cultural stories, ecological information - whatever information people want to put on the map. You can take a look at the map here: http://mapping.uvic.ca/coastal/

Jen Elliot of SIPAS says: "Whether you’ve lived here for 50 days or 50 years, we are interested in personal stories about Saanich Inlet or Peninsula shores that offer insight into the reasons why we treasure this amazing place."

What the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs 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 The Cordovan newsletter 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 for Community Affairs by becoming a member. Membership secretary: Jennifer Furtado(bornfurtado@gmail.com)

Cordova Bay community notice board

The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs provides and maintains the Notice Board outside the Super Duper Store (Dollar Store) 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. Notices covering existing notices will be removed. Please be considerate.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION

Haliburton Farm stand

Haliburton Farm is closed for the winter but will open again in the Spring with delicious seasonal veggies! However, the Terralicious Cooking School is holding classes at the farm during the winter, details of which can be found on the website.

Police and bylaw enforcement set to change tactics

Saanich Bylaw 7753, Section 27, Paragraph c, prohibits cycling on trails in Mount Douglas Park.

Sec 27 (c): “No person shall ride a bicycle in any of the following parks except in a parking lot or on a paved roadway or path: Mount Douglas Park, Knockan Hill Park, Mount Tolmie Park, Rithet’s Bog Nature Sanctuary or Glencoe Cove Park.”

Saanich police mountain-bike squad members and Saanich bylaw enforcement officers are set to change tactics after many mountain-bike riders have ignored verbal warnings advising them that trail riding in the park is prohibited.

The fine is $50.00.

There are a number of reasons why – first and foremost is the potential for injury to the cyclists and hikers in the park. “There is huge potential for collision between the cyclists and other park users”, said Sgt John Price, public information officer for the Saanich police.

The other concern is for the environment. “It is a priority for Saanich parks to preserve and protect the environment in the parks – the local flora and fauna can be permanently damaged by the trail riders”, said Rae Roer, parks manager.

Mountain-bike riders are encouraged to make the pilgrimage to the bike trails set up for their use at Mount Work Regional Park – the only park in the region that allows trail riding on designated trails.

Anyone who witnesses trail riding in any of the above listed Saanich parks can contact the Saanich police non-emergency number: 250-475-4321 or Saanich Bylaw at 250-475-1775.

Cars and Bicycles – Living in Harmony

Greater Victoria is blessed with beautiful scenery and year-round-cycling weather (almost), which leads to bicycles on the roads at any given time and day. As drivers, most of us are used to this and take extra care to watch out for them. As cyclists, we are very aware that, in a battle with a car, we are going to be on the losing end, so we also take precautions. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

Saanich Police respond to conflicts and crashes between bikes and cars more often than we want. To help bring harmony between these two road users, here are the facts:

* A cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as a driver in a car.
* A cyclist must not:
+ Ride on the sidewalk
+ Ride on a crosswalk
+ Ride next to another cyclist on the road – however, you may do so on the paved shoulder of the road as long as it is wide enough for both bikes
+ Ride with both hands off the handlebars
* A cyclist must:
+ Ride as close to the right side of the road as possible and with the flow of traffic + Obey all traffic control devices – eg. stop signs and traffic lights
+ Signal when turning or stopping
+ Have a lit white light at the front and a red light at the back when it is dark out
+ Wear a helmet
* If a cyclist is turning left, they are permitted and in fact, required to ride in the designated turning lane (if there is one), keeping to the right side of it.
* A cyclist is not required to ride on the shoulder of a road that is not paved.
* A cyclist is allowed to pass a car on the right if they are in a bike lane or the car is turning left – however, a cyclist should not pass a car on the right when traffic is moving or the curb lane is narrow.
* A cyclist may pass slower moving traffic on the left.
* Drivers may not drive in a designated bike lane.
* Drivers may not park or stop on a designated bike lane or anywhere that impedes the flow of traffic (cyclists included).

Visit Bike Sense on-line for a comprehensive look at cycling in BC. Information on the site will benefit all road users. Understanding how cyclists and drivers can share the road safely is the first step in preventing collisions and conflicts. Practise patience and awareness at all times.

Saanich seeks public assistance with new invader

The District of Saanich is asking the public to be on the look-out for a particularly nasty new invader. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), an invasive plant from Europe, has devastated forests in eastern Canada. Some call it the new purple loosestrife. It is also a new invader to British Columbia, first reported on Vancouver Island in 2004. There are now a total of seven sites identified in Saanich and at least one in Victoria. Officials are asking for public assistance to respond rapidly to avoid widespread infestation such as has happened in Ontario, where it is out-competing plants in natural areas and completely taking over the understorey.

Saanich Parks and Saanich Environmental Services are coordinating an “Early Detection Rapid Response” to garlic mustard. This involves responding to reports on public lands with trained staff to properly remove the plant, and notifying private landowners to remove the garlic mustard before it sets seed. They are requesting the assistance of the public to report any new sites and for volunteer efforts to help control and monitor current sites.

Saanich would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of volunteers in Mt. Douglas Park, the first identified and most impacted site in Saanich. Volunteers are now needed to continue this work and are urgently needed at three sites in Gordon Head, Layritz, Prospect Lake and Cordova Bay.

Garlic mustard flowers in April and May, and a single plant produces hundreds of seeds in June and July. Because it is self-pollinating; a single seed can start a new invasion. This noxious invader also produces a toxin around its roots that kills soil fungi that are vital to the growth of other plants, making it a deadly neighbour.

Saanich is working with other jurisdictions and the Coastal Invasive Plant Council to stop the spread of this species to other areas on Vancouver Island. Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to native ecosystems and biodiversity throughout the world. Invasive species can have severe ecological, economic and health impacts. Many species are inadvertently spread by humans and pets as well as escaping from gardens to natural areas. Controlling invasive species and their impacts requires partnerships throughout the community and neighbouring jurisdictions.

If you would like to find out more about garlic mustard and other new or particularly invasive species, visit Saanich’s website at: www.gov.saanich.bc.ca/resident/environment/invasive.html#what

To report garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) in Saanich, or to volunteer please contact: Darren Copley, Environmental Education Officer, Saanich Planning Department.
Phone: 250-475-5471. E-mail:Darren.copley@saanich.ca

**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 recommends closing all accesses, roads and driveways, except for designated interchanges. In Cordova Bay the report (Page 25) identifies for closure - Piedmont Drive, Cordova Bay Road, Hamsterley Road, Sayward Road (west side), Wells Road and Old East Road. The weigh scale would need to be relocated. Traffic movement at the rowing club, however, would be permitted by a right-in, right-out movement.

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 for Community Affairs (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 archives now on line**

Photographs of early pioneer life, cultural events, architecture, farming and the growth of the community can now be searched by keyword, subject and local area of Saanich. The images, selected from a collection of 15,000 photographs, slides, negatives and albums, have rarely been viewed by the public. They are now freely available via the Internet.

Saanich Archives collects and preserves archival material relating to the Municipality of Saanich and invites visitors to explore Saanich’s rich history online or in person. The collection includes photographs, maps, documents, oral histories, books and reference material from the earliest days of the municipality to recent times.

Saanich Archives is located in the Saanich Centennial Library at 3100 Tillicum Road and is open Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:30pm. For further information, please call: 250-475-1775 or visit our website at: http://saanicharchives.ca

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.

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