Dear editor,
Courtenay councillors Frisch, Hillian, Lennox and Wells should be congratulated for voting to enact the new Tree Protection Bylaw. The previous bylaw allowed developers to maximize their profits by clear-cutting lots and showing little or no sensitivity for the resultant impact on the quality of life in our communities. At the select committee that was established, both the construction association and conservation representatives agreed that 50 trees per hectare was workable.
They differed as to the process for greenfield development when the 50 stems criteria could not be met; i.e., the requirement to consult with city staff vs. in effect, self-regulation. The bylaw adopted should protect the public from irresponsible developers.
Mayor Jangula’s opposition based on statements that “.. this group of people (i.e. developers) generate the tax income that keeps this city running …” and the implied threat that “enacting the bylaw would drive up the cost of housing because it would limit developers in what they could build …” suggests that the citizens’ input doesn’t count for much and that developers should have carte blanche to maximize profits. Even if that were so, without base rent controls or having to file a business plan with the city, there is no assurance that housing costs would remain stable. As well, the mayor’s position would eliminate the rationale for any ‘inconvenient’ public hearing.
As citizens and elected officials, we need to define what increased densification looks like and not simply react to the developers’ agendas.
Fred Muzin
Courtenay