Church project all about the money

It is now obvious the land development proposed by Oak Bay United Church is all about the money.

The development team announced at the first meeting with neighbours that the project was being proposed to facilitate the long-term financial stability of the church. Church offerings and revenue from the thrift shop were no longer sufficient to cover building maintenance, repairs and needed upgrades.

The current proposal of 98 units is, according to the development team, the minimum number of units required to generate the revenue stream needed by the church to, in their words, make the project financially viable. What was the test? What is now evident is that the main impetus for this development is no different than any proposed by a private developer: financial gain. How that financial gain is to be used is of no consequence.

With that in mind, council must view this project as it would any development proposed by a private developer. The financial desires of the church should carry no more weight than those of a private developer. Something council would and should never consider in any rezoning.

This is a land-use decision, period. As such, the questions are: Does the current proposal fit the intent of the official community plan? No. Does it comply with the current zoning bylaw? No. Does it respect the character of the neighbourhood? No. Does it comply with municipality’s growth targets? No. Should this project be approved? No. W.D. Randall Oak Bay