197 replies to this topic

[VicHockeyFan]

Developer is offering $45,000 cash, plus 12 trees planted to replace the one Oak, but that's not good enough for neighbours.

 

http://www.timescolo...bate-1.22388931

 

Although, I'm not sure it's the immediate neighbours that are protesting.

 

 

[VicHockeyFan]

Quest is a lame name.  For a band, or a real estate development.

[Nparker]

Arrrrggggh!!! Look up NIMBY in the dictionary and these folks images will appear.

A towering Garry oak tree next door to a proposed 14-unit condo development...would have to come down, [this] has deeply disturbed some residents of the York House co-op next door, on whose property the oak sits ...They say the development is too large, too tall, has too much underground parking ...

http://www.timescolo...bate-1.22388931

Besides the tired "too large/too tall" argument, it's the hypocrisy that really bothers me. Do any of them stop to think numerous Garry Oaks were removed to build their homes or did this one tree grow in total isolation? 

 

I see it gets even more hypocritical:

...The save-the-tree campaign that advocates deep-sixing the development includes glossy brochures available tree-side and a large sign seeking public support...

Any chance trees had to die to create those brochures and large sign?

Edited by Nparker, 03 September 2017 - 08:52 AM.

[VicHockeyFan]

The article also contains the mandatory "....we are not opposed to all/any development... but..."

[Nparker]

The article also contains the mandatory "....we are not opposed to all/any development... but..."

The motto of the NIMBY. 

[VicHockeyFan]

As of Aug. 31, the petition has 472 signatures — 223 written responses or from door-to-door canvassing, and 249 added to the website, said group spokesman JohnTiffany.

 

 

The developer told the muncipal advisory design commission that its community engagement, including two open houses, “ indicates that 144 of the 160 homes contacted were in support,” The condo units are planned for 800 to 1,100 square feet in size, and she noted that the Oak Bay advisory design panel described the proposal as “exemplary.”

 

“This tree is not even on our property, but we recognize the value of the tree,” Colpman said. “We’ve been around and around it different ways. It cannot be preserved.”

 

According to Oak Bay bylaws, if the development were approved, Large would be required to plant two trees to replace the oak.

 

Instead, it is willing to give the York strata council $25,000 for the loss of the tree, and provide for the removal and a replacement tree 20 feet high at a cost of $10,000, plus another $10,000 to Oak Bay for tree planting, along with planting 11 new trees at the Quest, which because of underground parking would have plenty of greenery on site, she said.

 

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 03 September 2017 - 10:25 AM.

[VicHockeyFan]

Building site, tree.

 

[todd]

The motto of the NIMBY. 

 

But the developer is also literally a NIMBY.

[Nparker]

But the developer is also literally a NIMBY.

You mean in regards to the tree?

[Nparker]

Someone would be doing the residents of York House a favour if the Garry oak was dropped on their building. I loathe those 1970s faux-tudor places. Also, how is the proposed project "too tall" when it's essentially the height of the surrounding structures and "too big" when it's smaller than the buildings on either side? I wish our local governments wouldn't waste taxpayer time arguing over sensible in-fill projects like this. The developer has made more than enough concessions to appease the neighbours. Rubber-stamp the proposal and get it built.

[todd]

You mean in regards to the tree?

 

Yes but philosophically speaking everybody is a nimby to some degree ..nparker 

Edited by todd, 03 September 2017 - 11:51 AM.

[VicHockeyFan]

The tree is not on the developer's property.  But the roots are.  In 1980 this would not even be a discussion, the tree roots would be cut and it'd be up to York House to deal with an eventually-dead tree.  

[VicHockeyFan]

Here's a nice little gem on Elgin, by the way.

 

https://www.realtor....Columbia-V8R5L8

 

One of only 4 houses in Oak Bay listed for less than $1M.

[todd]

By the way:

 

If you can prove you planted a tree yourself (and are not required as a replacement tree) think you should be able to remove it without a permit? Otherwise you may be discouraging people from planting?

 

My eyes could not find any I brought you into this world so I can take you out clause:

 

“protected tree” means:

 

( a) any tree of the species Garry Oak (Quercus garryana), Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii), Pacific (Western) Yew (Taxus brevifolia), Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) or Pacific (Western Flowering) Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), which has either a basal diameter greater than 10 centimetres or a height above the point of germination in excess of 2 metres, (**Bylaw No. 4527, adopted February 28, 2011)

 

( b) any tree with a dbh greater than 60 centimetres,

 

( c) a significant tree,

 

( d) a replacement tree,

 

( e) a tree designated “to be retained” on a plan attached to a development permit, (f) a tree protected under the terms of a covenant registered in favour of the Municipality;

 

https://www.oakbay.c...NSOLIDATED).pdf

 

 

[todd]

 

 

[Nparker]

The irony of that wooden sign, the printed articles and brochures is really quite hilarious.

[todd]

Sub Quercu Felicitas.

[VicHockeyFan]

The irony of that wooden sign, the printed articles and brochures is really quite hilarious.

 

That's second-growth wood.  That oak is 100+ years old.

 

Seriously, ya, it's lame, for sure.  If there was no tree to be lost, there would be another cause.

 

Someone should stick up a competing sign and petition, for "12 new trees" - if OB council does not approve Quest, there will be no new trees.

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 04 September 2017 - 04:30 PM.

[Nparker]

That's second-growth wood...

#alltreelivesmatter

[todd]

 

 

............. If there was no tree to be lost, there would be another cause.

 

 

#subquercufelicitas