Community Concerns

List of Concerns

Hans Helgesen Elementary School

After meeting with PAC parents, my top priority is getting a crosswalk with advance notice lights in the safest spot for Hans Helgesen School and with a very clear, no parking at the BC Transit bus stop. Parents and caregivers parking in that spot causes a safety concern for the school buses, vehicles, and the sightline for crossing.

Taxes/Policing Costs

With our roads in such great shape, the council may be able to divert capital funds from the paving program for 1-2 years for policing costs, to give time to explore options for alternative taxation revenue.

Firehall

We need to concentrate efforts to focus on the replacement of the existing Firehall to ensure we have a safe workplace for our firefighters and the equipment to keep our community safe. In the event of an earthquake or other disaster, our community needs a post-disaster building that will remain operational.

It’s time to take action. This has been left too long and needs to be our next council's main priority. Our fire chief has made this need extremely clear.

Alternative
Housing

I think the proposal for RVs and Tiny Homes should be considered, with registration and protocols similar to a detached suite. It could benefit our volunteer firefighters, families (for many reasons), and support for age in place for caregivers and seniors who still need or want their own space. It would also provide extra accommodations for farmhands and Wwoofers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). It would need to fit within the intent of our existing bylaws and OCP. For possibly allowing one of the following: attached suite, detached suite, carriage house, RV, or tiny home.

Farming
Agricultural

A very important comment was made at the recent Farmers Listing Circle I attended. One of our local farmers raised a concern that they don’t need or want the council coming in and telling them what to do, they want the council to listen to what they need. In further conversation with this particular farmer and two other candidates, another good point was made, that maybe the Agricultural Advisory Committee should meet with the council as a whole group, instead of just one councilor liaison. To ensure everyone is on the same page when making decisions and asking for requests. Having involvement from the entire council could expedite the formation of our Agricultural Plan, which has been expressed as a priority by farmers.

Industrial Site Sooke Rd

Although a controversial issue, we need to remember that the council and staff are obligated to look at all proposals and applications brought forward.

It is important that everyone looks at each individual proposal with the best of intentions for the whole community. There is no obligation to approve proposals but they need to be able to take them to the community for input so that the residents can be engaged in the decision-making.

We need to increase community input and I would like to look at doing this using Citizen Surveys. Using our unique ID Roll Numbers from our Property Tax Notice. Surveys could be completed by households which would help increase turnout from the public as many of our residents find it hard to find the time to appear in person.