Hubris alive and well in Saanich

Saanich council voted Monday night in favour of an amendment to lot-size averaging, and then voted in favour of allowing five houses — all with suites — to be built at 5197 Del Monte Ave., in a cul de sac.

If neighbourhood integrity had been upheld, three homes would be permitted on this site. The vote did not reflect the wishes of the majority of the neighbourhood, nor did it demonstrate an understanding of the area and local concerns about density and safety on this narrow stretch of road.

What council voted on was a promise of something special — environmentally friendly homes with passive-house design and expensive Code 5 standards — that the municipality could show off as being state of the art. No one objected to the environmental part. Three of these houses could easily have demonstrated the same benefits.

Shame on councillors for having such little regard for the people they are supposed to represent and the community integrity they are elected to uphold. Shame on them for changing bylaws to support a slick developer and his following who have more to gain than providing a supposed feather in council’s cap. Shame on councillors for disregarding the advice of staff.

Hubris is clearly alive and well in Saanich — hubris and vulnerability. We deserve better. Jan Walsh-Hohert Saanich