Your Letters are Working! A Major Shift at Saanich Council

Hi Everyone,

We want to start by saying a massive thank you! The volume of letters you have all sent to the District recently has been noticed. Because of your persistence, we are seeing the "gears of government" shift toward transparency and community-led planning.

On May 4th, Saanich Council unanimously supported two motions that represent a fundamental change in how they are required to listen to us.

The Chambers Motion: Redefining Engagement
 

The Motion: “To direct staff to report on the future of public hearings and explore non-statutory avenues for public engagement and input on development applications.”

How this impacts the Aragon Application:

This motion is a direct response to the "engagement vacuum" created by recent provincial changes. Because it was supported unanimously, it is a clear mandate for District staff. It proves that the "minimum disclosure" model currently being used for developments like the Aragon application at 755 Cordova Bay Rd. proposal is no longer acceptable to Council. We are pushing the District to apply these new engagement tools to the Aragon file immediately.

The Plant/Chambers Motion: Cell Tower Siting
 

The Motion: “To establish a new formal framework for cell tower siting that requires proactive public consultation, preferred siting locations, and visual mitigation.”

How this impacts the Aragon Application:

This win proves that the days of the community being mere "observers" are over. Whether it is a cell tower or a massive housing development, Council has sent a 100% unified message: residents must be active participants in the planning process.

Holding the District Accountable :

Your letters provided the 'political wind' for these motions to pass. Armed with these new Council mandates, we are now positioned to secure a procedural reset for the Aragon application. The community expects a neutral, staff-led technical process where we can see the facts on infrastructure, traffic, and sewage capacity, among all the other issues.

What’s Next?

We have over 2,400 signatories and the unanimous rejection of this proposal from the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs. We have the momentum, and we have the new Council policy on our side.

We are currently working to secure a formal commitment from the District for a transparent technical review session. We will update you all the moment we have any news on this.

Please keep the pressure on. Our strength is in our numbers. Well done Cordova Bay!

Thank you very much everyone for continuing to fight for our community! It is very appreciated.

Best Regards, 

Dan Horth