@Sparky - Thanks for getting involved in this thread despite not actually being in CS. I think a forum such as this will bring people together whether they are in the same district or not which I believe is very important given the implications of some of the decisions being made at the municipal level. Despite the fact that you are not a resident of CS, I believe it is important that you access our businesses and that is very important, and I am hoping that if you know of any people from CS, I would encourage you to please pass my name on to them for their consideration in the election. Now to your questions!!
First of all, yes, I am a resident of CS, as I have lived in Brentwood for the last 12 years!
1) Keating - I just put together a paragraph on Keating about 2 comments up in this thread that you should take a look at, but if there is anything I have not covered in terms of your question, please let me know.
2) Vantreight - I spoke in support of the proposal for the following reasons: the land being used for the project is non-ALR land because it is essentially a big pile of rocks with a forest on top which cannot be farmed and they are proposing a subdivision that would generate the revenue to support the farm. For more details:
http://www.thehillpr...__/Welcome.html3) Co-op - Based on the history of how the land on W Saanich was purchased and based on subsequent changes after the land had been purchased to the zoning, I felt it would be appropriate to allow the store on that location as I feel that the support that the Co-op provides CS and the Peninsula in terms of $300K/yr of financial support, a great employer for the local residents as well as the member refund benefits, it was worth allowing the plan to proceed. But due to the CRD not allowing the amendment to the Regional Growth Strategy, they have essentially blocked the project from proceeding. Therefore the ability to build a larger more comprehensive store on the Tsartlip lands is great for a couple of reasons, first it ensures the Co-op remains in CS, but secondly it can be a significant revenue source for the Tsartlip First Nations which is great for the CS community as a whole as well.
I look forward to the All Candidates Forum closer to the election, but in the meantime I also feel this will be a great venue to connect residents with candidates for discussions such as this. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Carl