Gravel Pit Update – April 15, 2025 – The Cordova Bay Association's Aragon Development Update Number Three.
This update below was provided by the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs President, Barb Lucas. Thank you for this Barb! Very much appreciated.
I think with our petition and the help of the Cordova Bay Association, we will be better able to present a solid response to our concerns over the Gravel Pit development.
Here is the latest:
The Cordovan newsletter will be going to Canada Post this coming Tuesday (today) for them to start delivering the 2800+ households that receive it, plus copies placed at local businesses and in the free magazine shelf outside Red Barn.
In it we have a 1 1/2 page update on the Aragon proposal, this time including what they proposed last November. Hopefully this Cordovan issue will help spread the word to folks who still are unaware of it.
The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs (CBACA) has also just released Update #3 and is included here below. The Association outlines what they have been communicating to Saanich and Aragon, plus indicating again how people can have a say about the proposal. CBACA has spent more time with Saanich because they feel that, even with a reduced number of units, our community will still have the same issues about traffic impact, cycling and pedestrian safety, parks, etc.
Saanich is responsible for the bigger picture of ensuring the surrounding Cordova Bay roads (other than the sections of road that the development is on) and services can accommodate any development, and ultimately Saanich decides what proposal gets approved.
The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs were also able to meet with Aragon’s Peter Censorio and Lenny Moys last week, and they reiterated all the concerns that the community has.
They are aiming for the end of April to submit the proposal.
The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs has also been working with the Broadmead and Falaise community associations the last couple of weeks trying to organize an All Candidates Meeting. Unfortunately, we just heard (through Elections Canada) that we cannot use the Claremont Ridge Theatre because it is also the location for the Advance Polling Station (we had booked April 21st). That left not enough time to find another venue, solicit questions from residents etc. and with the election date coming up quickly, our decision was to cancel. So, the association tried, but were unable to set that up.
Here is the latest update from the The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs.
This update of the status of the proposed Aragon development is part of CBACA’s commitment to keeping our members up to date on important projects and issues that affect our community.
It summarizes the community concerns expressed since Aragon’s presentation last November, which have formed the basis for our meetings with and messages to Mayor Dean Murdock, several Saanich Councillors, District of Saanich Planning and Engineering staff, MLA Lana Popham and Peter Censorio, Aragon Project Manager.
Current Status
As of April 3, 2025, Aragon has not yet submitted an application to the District of Saanich.
Consistent Messaging and Ongoing Communication.
At all meetings with Saanich mayor, councillors, Saanich staff and Aragon representatives over the past two months, CBACA has been consistent in our messaging, including referring to Saanich’s own bylaws and regulations, and the updated Saanich Official Community Plan (OCP), the Saanich Active Transportation Plan (ATP), and the Cordova Bay Local Area Plan (LAP).
Saanich representatives have been receptive to all the points we’ve made and the concerns we’ve brought forward. However, until Saanich receives an actual application from Aragon, elected officials and staff will not comment on the specifics of the development.
CBACA Messaging to Date
Our messaging has focused on Cordova Bay’s community planning framework, the current realities of the need for housing in Saanich, and community concerns about the Aragon development as presented by the company in November 2024.
Community Planning Framework
– “Cordova Bay will continue to be primarily a residential and rural area,” from the 2022 Cordova Bay LAP.
– Development should “integrate well into the community and provide a mix of housing types and community uses,” from the 2022 Cordova Bay LAP: Policy 5.1.3.
Current Realities
-We accept that change is coming.
-We accept that development will likely mean an increase in density in our community.
-We welcome a mix of building and ownership types of housing options for Cordova Bay.
Community Concerns
– The need for opportunities for public input into the rezoning and development application process.
-CBACA’s position and message from the community continues to be that the density proposed in the November 2024 Aragon presentation does not integrate well into the community.
-The proposed building heights of 10 plus storeys in multiple buildings exceed OCP guidelines and LAP policies.
-The municipal infrastructure for roads, pedestrians, cyclists, parks and community space is not adequate to support the proposed level of density. We have referenced the negative impact increased traffic will have on Santa Clara, Alderley as well as Cordova Bay. Fowler and Sayward Roads; and the lack of safe, marked pedestrian crosswalks (LAP Policies 6.2) and cycling infrastructure (LAP Policies 6.3).
Will continue to keep you all updated.
Our petition is now over 1550. Thank you all!
Best Regards,
Dan Horth