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Wilkinson Interurban Hastings Traffic voting outcome
results and presentation to Council
Strawberry Vale
Residents' Association (SVRA) attended the Special Committee
of the Whole Financial Plan Meeting on April 20, 2010 to present
Council with the results of the voting on the 5 options developed
by the Traffic Committee to repond to the Wilkinson Interurban
Hastings traffic issues. Attached please find Saanich Engineering's
report to Council (two documents titled Saanich Engineering
Wilkinson Interurban Intersection April 15 10 and Saanich
Engineerint Memo to M&C re Wilkinson Interurban Intersection
Apr 15 10) recommending a $300,000 budget for this project
plan which was approved by Saanich Council. SVRA's written
report to Council (see below on this web page dated April
19, 2010) was sent to Coucil and is very similar to the presentation
given to Council at the Special Committee of the Whole. However,
in reviewing Saanich Engineering's reports we also cited some
items that were not included in their recommendations. We
thought these items warranted further consideration, and inclusion
in Saanich Engineerings' traffic plans. They were some of
the improvments orginally proposed by Saanich, that we believed
most people agreed would benefit the community, and were listed
on the front side of the voting document. SVRA cited these
as absent from Saanich Engineerings' Plan when we did our
presentation to Council at the meeting on April 20, and include
the following:
· deterring out of the area commuters from
entering Strawberry Vale neighbourhood by posting and enforcing
a "No Left Turn" restriction sign on Burnside at Granville
(and Charlton and Holland, as necessary) to restrict turns
between 7-9 am Monday to Friday.
· maximizing green times on the Interurban and Wilkinson approaches to the intersection,
and including any warranted left turn advance phases
· improving flow onto Wilkinson by coordinating traffic signals at Santa
Rosa and Interurban,
· implementing traffic calming tools
either immediately or at least monitoring the traffic flow
and speed over the next 3, 6, and 9 months to determine where
calming tools should be implemented to deter traffic and speeding.
Council sent these items back to Saanich Engineering, and
we understand are requesting that Engineering review them
and the options on the voting sheet, and provide a further
report to Council for approval. However, it seems things are
pretty much status quo with some new sidewalks, medians on
interurban, bike lanes and bus lane relocation, and hopefully
they will take a look at the above mentioned items and the
voting options and the outcome, for other improvements within
their budget. Here is a link to the minutes from the Special
Committee of the Whole Financial Plan Meeting on April 20,
2010 http://www.saanich.ca/municipal/clerks/ccw/minutes/2010/apr20minutes.pdf
.Strawberry Vale Residents' Association and the Traffic Committee
would like to thank the area residents for their interest
and participation in the recent community meeting and voting
process. As updates are received from Saanich, we will distribute
it to the community via this email distribution list, the
Strawberry Vale Residents' Association web site The
Strawberry Vale Residents' Association
and the information kiosk.
Thank you,
Sue Henry
President
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April 19, 2010
Mayor and Council
Saanich Municipality
770 Vernon Ave
Victoria, BC V8X 2W7
Re: Wilkinson Road/Interurban Road Intersection Special
Committee of Whole Financial Planning Meeting - April 20,
2010
On behalf of Strawberry Vale Residents' Association
and the residents of the Strawberry Vale Area, the information
in this letter provides Mayor and Council with the outcome
of consultation with local area residents and voting on proposed
solutions to the Wilkinson, Interurban, and Hastings Intersection
traffic issue.
At the February 23, 2010 Special Financial
Planning Meeting of the Committee of the Whole, concerned
residents voiced their disagreement with Saanich Engineering's
Wilkinson, Interurban, Hastings Intersection traffic plan
final report. According to the meeting minutes Mayor Leonard
stated: "It would be unwise to remove the funds dedicated
for improvements at Wilkinson and Interurban from the 2010
budget; he would request the Director of Engineering and Public
Works to prepare a memo to Council outlining the advantages
and disadvantages of intersection improvements, which will
be considered further at a Financial Plan meeting prior to
completion of the budget process, with further input from
interested parties". Strawberry Vale Residents' Association
and the residents of the Strawberry Vale Area are definitely
interested parties. Throughout the time since the Bunt & Associates
Traffic Consultants' Final Report on the Wilkinson Interurban
Hastings traffic issue was released on December 5, 2009 until
February 18, 2010, when Saanich Engineering released its final
report, Strawberry Vale Residents' Association had fully intended
to consult with the neighbourhood to get their input on the
issue. However, due to the timing of the final report release
and Saanich Engineering's scheduled presentation of their
budget on February 23 there was no time to consult with the
neighbourhood. Since the Special Financial Planning Meeting
of the Committee of the Whole on February 23, 2010, and in
consideration of the direction given by the Mayor, Strawberry
Vale Residents Association has taken the opportunity to form
a traffic committee, including SVRA Executive Board members
and local area residents, to study the Wilkinson, Interurban,
Hastings intersection traffic challenge, and consult with
the residents of the area most affected by the traffic to
obtain their input.
Communication with the neighbourhood was
initially through an email, distributed to a distribution
list compiled at the Information Meetings held by Saanich
Engineering in January 2010, asking for input and recommendations
from the neighbourhood on the traffic issue. As a result of
this communication, the traffic committee was convened to
contemplate and consider the input, find solutions to the
problem and develop options.
It has been acknowledged that
the main cause of the traffic challenge is the huge number
of out of area commuters travelling through this intersection
including a large number who short cut through the Strawberry
Vale residential area. These out of area commuters also contribute
to major traffic congestion in this area. These commuters
are travelling from the Western Communities and up Island
and are travelling to mainly Camosun College, Pacific Institute
of Sports Excellence, the Technology Park and the Saanich
Pennisula. The traffic committee focused on finding options
which would deter these commuters but not create travel problems
for area residents or unsafe driving, walking and cycling
conditions. The traffic committee also tried to develop options
which considered ways to ensure traffic stays on the major
routes (eg. Helmcken, Wilkinson and Interurban), and improved
the traffic flow at the intersection, as we understood these
to be Saanich's goals. Saanich Engineering's final report
recommended a partial closure of Hastings, by taking Hastings
Road out of the light cycle at the intersection, during peak
hours allowing only right turn out and right turn in access
at Hastings and the Intersection. As stated at the February
23 meeting and through correspondence received, residents
do not want to be "trapped in their neighbourhood" during
peak hours to solve this out of area commuter problem, and
do not think that it is right that their residential streets
should have to suffer the consequences of increased traffic
to accommodate mostly out of area commuters. The options developed
by the traffic committee also considered the work Saanich
Engineering and its contractors had done as well as the feedback
from the neighbourhood. Therefore, the committee tried to
develop options which would satisfy Strawberry Vale residents
to the greatest extent possible and help Saanich Engineering
achieve some of its objectives.
For your reference, attached
is the voting document developed by the traffic committee
for distribution to the affected neighbourhood. The areas
canvassed and considered were the same areas used and identified
by Saanich Engineering for the traffic information meetings.
As stated on the attached, the committee believes most people
agree that a number of the improvements recommended in Saanich
Engineering's final report benefit the community, and therefore
proposed to include them as part of all the options. Therefore,
the following Improvements were included and would be incorporated
in all options:
* Promoting alternative transportation such
as giving BC Transit buses priority through the intersection
at all times to reach Camosun College, relocating bus stops,
and introducing new routes.
* Installing traffic deterring
medians on Interurban to block Knockanback parking lot and
gas station driveways from left turns.
* Creating bike lanes
on Interurban and Wilkinson including left hand turn sharrows
to promote cycling and cycling safety, where possible.
* Constructing
sidewalks on Interurban and Santa Anita and installing solar
powering lights at crosswalks to facilitate safe walking routes.
*
Ensuring the plan meets safety standards by having ICBC
conduct an expert safety analysis of the traffic plan with
associated changes at adjacent intersections prior to the
implementation of any element of the plan.
* Deterring out
of area commuters from entering Strawberry Vale neighbourhood
by posting and enforcing a "No Left Turn" restriction sign
on Burnside at Granville (and Charlton and Holland, as necessary)
to restrict turns between 7-9 am Monday to Friday. This will
require police enforcement to be effective.
* Maximizing green
times on the Interurban and Wilkinson approaches to the intersection,
and including any warranted left turn advance phases
* Improved
flow onto Wilkinson by coordinating traffic signals at Santa
Rosa and Interurban, maximizing green times on the Interurban
and Wilkinson intersection approaches; include any warranted
left turn advance phases.
The traffic committee developed
five options, and included as Option 1 Saanich Engineering's
final report recommendations which partially closes Hastings
at the intersection during peak hours (7 to 9 am and 3 to
6 pm, Monday to Friday; 12 to 3 pm Saturday), allowing right
turns in and out only and with no left turn and through traffic
allowed to travel through the intersection during this time.
Options 2 through 4 kept Hastings open at the Intersection
with left and through traffic allowed; however, travel would
be restricted with a delayed sequenced light; green every
second cycle for Hastings during the peak hours, 7 to 9 am
and 3 to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 12 to 3 pm Saturday, right
turn in and out would be allowed at all times. The delayed
sequencing was to help improve traffic flow through the intersection
giving extended time to Wilkinson and Interurban light cycles.
Option 5 is virtually status quo through the Hasting Intersection
light at all times. All options, except Option 1, include
traffic calming tools being installed on Hastings from Granville
to the intersection immediately, and Dunsterville Road closed
at Interurban.
The main differences with Options 2- 4 are:
Option 2 - the Barriers currently located at Hastings and
North Road would be moved from Hasting and North to Interurban
and North, and no recommended difference in the traffic flow
and lights at the Interurban Wilkinson intersection
Option 3 - recommends the installation of advanced turns left from
Wilkinson to Interurban and right from Interurban to Wilkinson.
These advance turn changes would require no left turns from
Wilkinson to Hastings at all times (statistics show approx
8 vehicles Mon-Fri during peak periods uses this turn). Strong
signage would be required for this recommendation to be effective.
Right turn from Interurban to Wilkinson and Hastings would
be allowed, using advanced right green light (this would require
adding a right turn lane on Interurban to maximize efficiency).
There would be restricted access onto Santa Anita, no entry,
from Hastings using restricted access signage, police enforcement
or a potential timed gate. This restricted access would be
from 7 to 9 am Monday to Friday, and would improve school
safety and deter traffic from short cutting the Hastings light.
Option 4 - provides the same intersection recommendations
and Santa Anita restricted access as Option 3; but also includes
the installation of an Automated Gate on Burnside (inside
Saanich Border before Prospect Lake intersection) 7 to 9 am
and 3 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday (to manage influx of commuter
traffic because they would not be able to enter the Strawberry
Vale are via Burnside Road). Cost for the gate only (without
shipping or installation) from a Canadian company was estimated
at $12,000, and the gate could be solar powered and, operated
remotely including by emergency vehicles.
To advise the affected
neighbourhoods (Hastings, Santa Anita, Santa Rosa, North,
Dunsterville,Roy, Granville, and Holland) of the voting opportunity
and provide information on the options, flyers were delivered
to the homes in the area inviting residents to a meeting on
March 29, 2010. Approximately 100 people attended the meeting
and were provided an explanation of the options and opportunity
to comment on the options and ask questions. At the meeting,
it was decided that residents could vote on a first and second
option. Voting documents were distributed at the meeting and
attendees were invited to vote at the meeting. After the meeting
the voting ballots were distributed to approximately 470 homes
in the affected neighbourhoods, the voting information and
documents were also distributed via the traffic information
meeting distribution list and SVRA's web site, and residents
were given until April 9, 2010 to vote. Residents were asked
to submit their votes via email, Canada Post, or by hand delivery
to a local home.
Of the votes received, the outcome of the
voting included 241 who voted for the options as follows:
First option choice:
Option 1 = 22
Option 2 = 23
Option 3 = 45
Option 4 = 68
Option 5 = 83
Of the 241 votes received
114 voted for a second option choice:
Option 1 = 6
Option 2 = 14
Option 3 = 27
Option 4 = 37
Option 5 = 30
Two residents returned their voting document but declined to vote for any
of the options.
The # of votes received from the following
areas were: Granville, Charlton, Hastings to Holland = 21
Hastings from Holland to Wilkinson = 55
Holland, Blue Ridge = 26
Santa Anita, Santa Rosa, Mariposa = 76
North, Roy and Dunsterville = 63
The residents' participation at the March
29 meeting and during the voting process indicates a strong
voice from the community that they want their needs to be
considered by Saanich Council including concern with regard
to increased traffic and school safety on Santa Anita and
Santa Rosa and maintaining the barrier at the Hastings and
North road intersection as evidenced by a large number of
votes received for Options 3-5. This also signifies that some
change via intersection light cycle alteration, traffic calming
and commuter deterent device installation would also be acceptable
to some residents. Based on our observation from this process
it is worthy to note that residents are passionate about the
increased traffic on their streets in both the Santa Anita
and North Road areas and voiced that their residential streets
and property values should not be impacted by out of area
commuters. Additionally, and in consideration of the over
five years which this issue has been challenging to the neighbourhood
and Strawberry Vale Residents' Association, the traffic committee
have been impressed with the diligence of the residents and
their participation in the process.
Thank you for considering the community's needs and voice when you are voting on this
challenging issue.
Sincerely,
Sue Henry
President
Strawberry Vale Residents' Association
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Community Traffic Notice - Wilkinson/Interurban/Hastings
Intersection
District of Saanich Engineering's Final Decision on the
Wilkinson/Interurban/Hastings traffic project can be accessed
at http://www.saanich.ca/resident/roads/pdfs/FinalDecision18Feb2010.pdf
. This provides the details to Option 1 on the Community
Traffic Meeting Voting form.
** Strawberry Vale Residents Association is collecting the
community's preferred choice in traffic movement options
and will present the results to Saanich Mayor and Council
at the Financial Planning Meeting on April 20, 2010 in the
Council Chambers at Saanich Municipal Hall. Plan to attend.
The Association and community members developed options
for presentation to the community at a meeting held on March
29th at Strawberry Vale Community Hall (ideas and concerns
submitted to that date were considered in the option development).
Following this meeting:
** If you are a resident of the Strawberry Vale Area, you
are invited to select your preferred choice by either referring
to the COMMUNITY TRAFFIC MEETING voting form delivered to
neighbourhood area homes during the week of March 29 to
April 3, 2010 or by accessing this form COMMUNITY TRAFFIC MEETING VOTING FORM, and submitting your vote by:
**emailing your first and second choice to chuckhenault@shaw.ca
(you must include your name, address and that you are over
the age of 16 in the message), "Think
green and send by email as much as possible", OR
** dropping the form off in the outside mailbox at 4051
Santa Anita Avenue, OR
**mail via Canada
post to: Strawberry Vale Residents' Association PO Box 48191
Victoria, BC V8Z 7H6
Please note, the voting survey is targeted to the
Burnside, Holland and Granville, North, Roy, Dunsterville,
and Hastings, Santa Rosa, Santa Anita, and Hastings general
areas, only)
Voting concludes on April 9th,
2010 (so ensure your vote is in by then).
**It is important that:
*you understand the
options, study the option form and/or talk to your neighbour
who attended the meeting or send an email to hollandhouse@shaw.ca,
if you have questions
* the community's voice is heard by
Saanich Council.
* you vote on a matter that will affect your
community, neighbourhood, commute and home.
* you voice your
individual concerns and that, together as a community, we
jointly voice our concerns.
Strawberry Vale Residents' Association Executive Board's opinion of Saanich Engineering's Final Decision on the Wilkinson-Interurban Traffic Plan is contained in the following letter to Saanich Mayor and Council which was also our input to the Special Committee of the Whole Financial Plan meeting held on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:30 in Council Chambers at Saanich Municipal Hall.
Read/Download the Following Letter in a PDF or a Word Document Format.
February 20, 2010
Mayor and Council
Saanich Municipality
770 Vernon Ave
Victoria, BC V8X 2W7
Re: Saanich Engineering Final Decision on the Interurban-Wilkinson
Traffic Plan
Strawberry Vale Residents' Association
Executive Board received Saanich Engineering's' Final Decision
regarding the Interurban-Wilkinson Traffic Plan on February
18, 2010, and have reviewed this final plan. Strawberry Vale
Residents' Association Executive (SVRA) Board included community
input and Saanich web site information in our review. We wish
to commend the persistence of Strawberry Vale area residents,
who through their diligence, communication, and meeting participation,
have ensured that the area residents' concerns have been heard.
The Strawberry Vale Residents' Association Executive (SVRA)
Board views the limited time between the release of the final
report and scheduling of Engineering's budget presentation
to the Committee of the Whole inadequate and unfortunate.
SVRA Board agrees, in principle, with Saanich Engineering's
final decision recommendations, especially that Saanich recognizes
the need to implement the plan using less permanent solutions.
We also agree with the goals of the project. However, SVRA
Board acknowledges that this plan is a short term solution
to what is the regional traffic problem, i.e. the need to
construct the overpass at MacKenzie and Highway #1. We, therefore,
expect Saanich Municipality to support the construction of
this overpass by including it in their strategic plan, and
working in concert with the federal and provincial governments
to ensure funds are available and construction is underway
within the next five years.
Many Strawberry Vale Area residents
expressed a concern about being restricted from leaving their
local area, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, due to the proposed
permanent restriction of Hastings traffic movements, for what
was seen as a problem limited to peak traffic periods. In
SVRA Board's opinion, Saanich Engineering's proposed time
restricted prohibition of the Hastings traffic movement during
peak periods (Monday - Friday and Saturday afternoon), is
a viable solution to try. This restricted movement from Hastings
will provide an opportunity to coordinate the lights at Santa
Rosa and Interurban facilitating a larger number of vehicles
moving into the north flow of traffic on Wilkinson Road from
Santa Rosa, and will enable green time to be maximized on
each approach to the intersection at Wilkinson and Interurban.
SVRA also supports the installation of left turn advance phases
to reduce traffic wait times and tailpipe emissions at peak
periods. We trust that these plan recommendations will be
assessed on an ongoing basis to determine their effectiveness,
and that they will also provide actual traffic flow and volume
data on the effectiveness and efficiency gained by removing
Hastings Road from the light cycle.
We agree with priority
and access being given to the buses during the peak period
to facilitate an efficient movement of the buses through the
area.
Safety has been a major concern expressed by area residents
including the need for safe bike and walking routes, reduction
of vehicle speed and volume, installation of pedestrian controlled
crosswalk light signals, night time street lighting, winter
weather street maintenance, and assurance that streets affected
by the proposed plan (Santa Anita, Santa Rosa, Hastings, Dunsterville,
Roy, and North) meet ICBC safety audit standards. SVRA Board
supports the enhancement of safety to pedestrians and cyclists
on area streets through the plan's recommended creation of
bike lanes and sharrows, timely construction of sidewalks
on Interurban, North and Santa Anita, closure of Dunsterville
to thru traffic, and the installation of pedestrian controlled
solar powered flashing lights at cross walks.
SVRA Board expects
ICBC safety audit recommendations to be incorporated in the
plan and implemented at its outset. SVRA will be checking
with Saanich on the 3, 6, and 9 month monitoring of traffic
volume, speed and vehicle type and expect Saanich Engineering
to be diligent and timely in its determination, placement
and installation of traffic calming tools to facilitate the
reduction of speeding through the area, and further deter
out of area short cutting commuters, especially on the Santa
Anita, Santa Rosa, North and Roy roads.
Strawberry Vale Residents'
Association also acknowledges the winter weather hazards that
the opening of North road and restrictions on Roy Road presents,
and expects Saanich Public Works to be proactive, timely and
vigilant in maintaining North Road during icy and snow conditions.
Concerns about the lack of street lighting and parking around
Rosedale Park were raised by residents during the review process,
and as much as these items are not within the purview of the
traffic study, SVRA Board will be consulting with Saanich
staff on the policies and available funds for these improvements.
Many Strawberry Vale residents expressed a concern about the
volume of unsafe commuting traffic through the area, and are
in favour of continuing to deter out of area short cutting
commuters. The North Road barriers have demonstrated that
they are an effective deterrent to out of area commuters evidenced
by a large reduction of this commuter traffic since the barriers
were installed. However, to improve the efficiencies and safe
movement of traffic through the Wilkinson/Interurban intersection,
traffic modeling statistics predict that substantial improvement
in the number of cars per hour will result if Hastings is
removed from the light cycle. During the review process, it
was identified that the time restricted prohibition to through
and left turn traffic at peak periods posed a challenge to
local residents' ability to travel west and north out of the
area. To facilitate another option for local resident's movement
in and out of the area the plan recommends that the North
Road barrier be moved to the North end at Interurban and restricted
movement out of Roy Road be incorporated. This option includes
the installation of channelization on Roy and medians on Interurban,
to restrict traffic exiting the neighbourhood to turning right
onto Interurban only. SVRA Board expects that this will continue
to deter commuters from travelling on the North Road area
roads but also recognizes the deterrent poses a new challenge
to North Road area residents wanting to travel west on Interurban.
As a further deterrent to commuter traffic and to prevent
vehicle accidents, SVRA Board supports the installation of
medians on Interurban preventing traffic from turning left
at the Knockanback parking lot and gas station. The posting
and enforcement of "no left turn" signs on Burnside and Granville,
to restrict turns between 7-9 am Monday to Friday, is seen
as a deterrent to commuter traffic. However, SVRA Board is
only confident the deterrents on Burnside and Granville and
Interurban at Roy will be effective with frequent, random
and continuous police enforcement (i.e. one morning a week
at least every one to two weeks). Council will need to ensure
the police budget has funds dedicated for this enforcement.
We are aware that Saanich has been consulting with View Royal
through their review process, and any opportunity to partner
with View Royal to enhance opportunities to deter traffic,
and move it onto appropriate corridors is supported. However,
we also find it very unfortunate that View Royal will be undertaking
water main, trestle replacement and beautification projects
on the Old Island Highway over the next eighteen months which,
due to construction closures of that corridor, may result
in skewed data on traffic volume changes in our area.
In conclusion,
to ensure the success of the outcome of these current experimental/temporary
plan solutions to the ultimate satisfaction of local area
residents, we expect continuing dialogue between local area
residents', Strawberry Vale Residents' Association and Saanich
Engineering staff, including community meetings, as necessary,
and especially if major temporary solutions are to be altered,
such as the Hastings time restricted prohibition. We commend
Saanich Engineering on its communication with area residents
and their efforts to include residents input on their final
decision.
Sincerely,
Sue Henry
President
Strawberry Vale Residents'
Association
CC. Colin Doyle, Director of Engineering, Saanich
Municipality Paul Butterfield, Senior Engineering Technologist,
Saanich Municipality
Climate Action
Earth Hour 2010
- What will you be doing?
Join Saanich as we turn off the lights for one hour to demonstrate
the power of conservation. Last year's event showed the
amazing potential we have for energy conservation. Sign-up
for Earth Hour and commit to turning off your lights this
Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 p.m.
- 9:30 p.m. www.earthhourcanada.org
2010 Saanich Environmental Awards
Do you
know a group, individual or business that has made an outstanding
contribution to the natural environment in Saanich? If so,
please consider nominating them for a Saanich Environmental
Award. Awards are made in seven categories. Nominations
will be accepted until April 30, 2010. For more information
and to make a nomination online use the attached electronic
nomination form or by visiting the Saanich website at www.saanich.ca
or: http://www.saanich.ca/resident/environment/enviro_awards.html
Emergency Preparedness Begins With
You - Workshop #1
Saanich Emergency Preparedness would like to invite you
to a two-hour workshop that provides in-depth information
and practical application to individual and family on emergency
preparedness. Learn the basic skills of preparedness and
survival to care for your needs for a minimum of 7 days
after a disaster. You will learn how to: respond during
a disaster, compile an emergency kit, plan for family reunification,
shut off your utilities, cope with sanitation issues, organize
food and water supplies, record and store personal information,
make your home safer during an emergency, plan for evacuation
with grab and go bags, and address special needs. The workshops
are being held:
Monday, February 22, 2010 7-9 p.m.
Pearkes Recreation Centre
Call (250) 475-7121 to register, Course # 352707
Monday, April 12, 2010 7-9 p.m.
Saanich Commonwealth Place
Call (250) 475-7600 to register, Course #369504
This workshop is FREE but registration, through any Recreation
Centre, is required. For more information or to book a workshop
for groups of 10 or more, please call Kristie at the Saanich
Emergency Program: 250.475.7140.
Mobility Action Plan
Traffic in our region
is a problem. And, without a thoughtful Mobility Action
plan, it's only going to get worse. According to CRD forecasting,
congestion will increase 300% in the next 20 years.We must
take action now to avoid a traffic nightmare that reduces
everyone's mobility. What we're missing is an action plan.
The Mobility Action Plan would put our future land uses
together with designs for rapid transit, pedestrian, and
cyclist corridors to connect the five centres and downtown.
Let's seize the opportunity and create a Mobility Action
Plan and transportation network that will enhance Saanich
residents' lifestyles and serve our region with quality
transportation alternatives for decades to come. What priority
initiatives can Saanich and the CRD implement to address
growing traffic congestion? Dean Murdock, Saanich Councillor,
welcomes your feedback and ideas: http://deanmurdock.ca/contact-me
Rare Collection of Saanich Photographs on line
Saanich Archives is pleased to announce that more than 900
images by early 20th century Saanich photographer Annie
Girling can now be searched online. Highlights of this unique
collection are featured in a new web exhibit, "Developing
Roots: Photographic Perspectives on Home and Nature", on
the Saanich Archives website at http://saanicharchives.ca.
Anne Alice Girling was born in England in 1880 and studied
photography at Woolwich Polytechnic before coming to Saanich
with her parents and ten siblings in 1912. During Annie's
lifetime she created a collection of work, including many
photographs of Saanich and Victoria taken from 1912 to the
1940s, consists of 916 images).
Our Backyard Newsletter
Our Backyard Newsletter
is a seasonal newsletter supporting conservation, restoration
and education of the natural environment in the Municipality
of Saanich. It is a quarterly newsletter that highlights
projects, announcements, events and educational articles
on the natural environment in Saanich. If you wish to submit
an article, event announcement, call for volunteers etc.,
please see the guidelines below, or visit Saanich's Natural
Environment website at http://www.saanich.ca/resident/environment/newsletter.html.
Community's role in Snow Removal in Saanich
In the past five years, Saanich has experienced at least
one snowfall a year. Under the Streets and Traffic Regulation
Bylaw, 2002, No. 8382, it is the responsibility of property
owners and occupants to clear and remove snow and ice from
municipal sidewalks. Failure to do so can result in a fine.
Fulfilling your responsibilities can improve the quality
of life for all residents of Saanich and reduce injuries
caused by slipping and falling, particularly with the elderly.
Remember to shovel often and early, new snow is lighter.
Be a good neighbour and lend a helping hand to neighbours
who are not able to dig out their driveway or clear their
sidewalks. Helping a neighbour, friend or family member
is a wonderful way to build positive relationships and show
people you care.
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