Balancing thoughtful growth with improvements to make life better for people

Letter to the Editor

I always appreciate residents taking time to share their viewpoints on the issues they care about. I acknowledge the opinion of the Nov. 30 writer, “LETTER: Saanich’s plans put pressure on Mount Tolmie,” but would like to correct the record on the level of engagement that went into Saanich’s Official Community Plan (OCP) Update.

The Strategic OCP Update project began in 2022. It was intended to build on the overall direction in the 2008 OCP – much of which was still relevant – and on recent strategic processes and adopted Council direction. It also took into account new provincial housing legislation and targets. The update was intended to be a focused scope of work that allowed the District to use resources efficiently to make priority updates in a shorter time frame.

During the update process, the District reach out extensively to residents to inform them throughout the process and gather their input. As part of nearly three years and several rounds of public engagement for the Strategic OCP Update, the District received thousands of comments and pieces of feedback from residents.

Residents have also been engaged with the District’s Centre, Corridor and Village plans (CCVs) which represent the detailed ‘view’ of how our future neighbourhoods will look and function – with guidance from the over-arching OCP.

Re: “LETTER: Saanich’s plans for Shelbourne make sense,” Dec. 6, I appreciate the writer’s trust in the expertise of our skilled Planning staff who do have the community’s best interests at heart. Change can be hard, but our community is growing and there are consequences to not planning for it. But it’s a group effort. The feedback residents provide does inform and refine decision-making.

Saanich has numerous ways of engaging with residents – but if you feel you’re not hearing about District happenings, please email reception@saanich.ca and let us know your preferred method of communication.

The OCP and CCVs belong to all of us and what we’re creating isn’t set in stone; it’s a long-term vision that allows us to adapt and respond to residents’ needs as they arise. It balances thoughtful growth with improvements to make life better for everyone, protecting what we value while preparing for the future.

Dean Murdock, Mayor of Saanich