Did you know that Saanich hires consultants to do studies on their bylaws after the bylaws are implemented?
I would have thought good governance would have required them to do their homework first. Well that was not the case of the Environmental Development Permit Area (EDPA) bylaw, which was adopted three-and-a-half years ago.
This bylaw significantly impacts all property owners, and for many has devalued their homes and use of property. Saanich seems to have snuck it in the back door hoping no one would notice. As we learnt at last week’s council meeting, Saanich staff did not have the answers to many questions that they should have considered prior to adopting this bylaw. Nothing like putting the cart before the horse.
In the meantime, while they do a study (completion date not given), they continue to hold 2,200 homeowners accountable to following an obviously flawed bylaw, which they have not been following themselves.
It is required that in order for homeowners to be exempted from the bylaw they hire a biologist (approximately $2,000) to examine their property and provide a written report stating that there is no bio-diversity on their property. Homeowners have done this and Saanich still will not remove them from the bylaw.
How can they expect the public to follow their bylaw when they won’t follow it themselves? I see legal action coming.
J. Gordon
Saanich