Gonzales plan will bring more density

Re: “Small apartments, row houses part of plan for Gonzales area,” Aug. 2. Thank you to the Times Colonist for printing an article on the Fairfield/Gonzales Neighbourhood Plan. Unfortunately, the article did not highlight the most important aspects of the plan that are being promoted: • Allow secondary suites in small-lot houses, and in duplexes on large lots. • Allow duplexes on standard-sized lots throughout Gonzales (currently only allowed on large lots). • Support rowhouses on wider lots throughout Gonzales. • Encourage townhouses between Fairfield Road, Richmond Road, Richardson Road and St. Charles Street, and near Glenlyon Norfolk School to take advantage of nearby transit, schools and shopping areas.

The new plan seems to be promoting densification even more than is already allowed. With the old plan, the following changes have already happened within 200 metres of our house: Two small-lot infills, two houses ripped down and replaced by multimillion-dollar houses, and three houses have subdivided off their backyards and/or built garden suites.

This in addition to the multi-unit rentals on either side of our house. And with the addition of new people, parking has become an issue. With the old plan we have undergone a lot of change. I shudder to think what will happen to our neighbourhood when the new plan is approved. Susanne Rautio Gonzales