Link to letter on the Times Colonist website
Councillors should protect our special city
Municipal elections are not far off (next October), and we hope Victorians remember the dismal record of many of our city councillors.
Only Stephen Hammond, Chris Coleman and Marg Gardiner understand the importance of protecting communities such as James Bay.
The other councillors believe that unproven, random theories (such as trickle down) will ensure housing is available for the Missing Middle and base their thinking on outdated population projections.
What they have also not considered is the demographic profile of people purchasing new properties in Victoria.
We speculate that the new owners for the proposed development on Quebec and Montreal Streets will not be from Victoria, but rather wealthy people from Alberta, Ontario or elsewhere.
How does this help those already living here, who desperately require housing? How does this support their theory?
The Official Community Plan focuses on increasing residential density in James Bay and other neighbourhoods, allowing for buildings of up to 18 storeys.
As public hearings are no longer possible within the new OCP, residents have no ability to comment or protest on something as out-of-place and inappropriate as this James Bay proposal.
Pay attention to how council votes and remember when the municipal election is held next year. We need a council that respects and cherishes what makes Victoria so special.
—Gwen and Dennis Anholt, Victoria