Rob Wickson | Saanich Council

image courtesy of http://robwickson.ca/

I am running as an independent candidate for Saanich council because the progression of our community has been stalled.

This lack of movement is displayed quite literally whenever we travel along McKenzie Avenue toward Burnside or Highway 1. It is time to support clear and detailed regional transportation planning. Planning that will create vibrant neighbourhoods, encourage sustainable growth, and acknowledge our obligations to the environment.

Saanich is the largest municipality in the CRD. Big municipalities have big problems, and it is time for leadership that addresses the responsibility we have to solve these problems. If we do not lead on issues such as transportation and affordable, accessible housing, we will end up allowing others to make decisions that affect the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.

We are all partners in the evolution of Saanich. It is time to start challenging each other to share solutions that will move our community forward.

If you’re as tired of waiting for action as I am, vote Rob Wickson for Saanich council and CRD on November 19th.
http://robwickson.ca/

Political affiliations: not available
Campaign website: http://robwickson.ca/
Resident of: Saanich

He lost me at "affordable housing". For most politicians that means taking a bit of money from each of us, and giving it to someone that is in need of cheaper rent. It's wrong.

The way to affordable housing is less regulation and more flexible zoning regulations, then the market will adjust.

Affordable housing must be market driven and encouraged by allowing a greater mix of options within the market. For example, by supporting the development proposal for 2 six story wood frame constructed rental apartments (the first in s Saanich for over 20 years), allows for the market to free up some of the pent up demand. The units will be affordable in part because they will not automatically come with a parking space and are located near amenities such as recreation opportunities, retail and commercial services along with significant transportation choices.

This project came out of a design charrette I led for the community over 8 years ago. I have also supported other projects that allow for greater diversity of housing choices in our Gorge Tillicum community. I have been a vocal supporter of secondary suites and granny flats as well.

Rob, which project is this?

The project I spoke of is from EY Properties at the corner of Tillicum and Burnside.

This is the Vibrant Victoria thread on the project

Thanks for the link. So to confirm, Rob is talking about a six-storey project, but it is in actuality five-storeys, or has the project been changed to six-storeys?

As of the October report it is a six storey project

Thanks, Bernard.

Hi Everyone,

I'm Christina Mitchell one of Rob Wickson's campaign advisors. I will be dropping by from time to time to take part in this discussion thread. Rob wants to encourage civic engagement and this forum gives everyone an opportunity to get involved in the issues that affect not only Saanich but the CRD. I know there are several "hot topics" on the Vibrant Victoria Discussion Boards that Rob's platform addresses so do have a look at his website robwickson.ca and you can also follow Rob on facebook and twitter.

Rob is hosting several "Meet & Greets" and the first one is happening this weekend :

Meet Rob and discuss your vision for Saanich. Sat Oct. 1 from 3-5pm at Starbucks, Gorge Shopping Centre, 2961 Tillicum Road.

It would be great to see some Vibrant Victoria members!

I'll be posting details about an important debate hosted by the Urban Development Institute in Victoria on October 6. Topic - Light Rail Transit.
Rob will be speaking in support of the pro-LRT proposal, a long overdue public debate - I'm sure you'll agree!

Thank you for bringing attention to the municipal elections.

It is Time.

Christina

robwickson.ca

Rob Wickson 250-812-9164

Welcome to VibrantVictoria, Christina!

Thank you for your welcome Mike.

I promised some info about this event. Rob will be speaking in support of the pro-LRT proposal in a a debate organized by the Urban Development Institute in Victoria on October 6. The topic is LRT (Light Rail Transit) and the debate will take the form of a public open discussion. The UDI have billed it as an opportunity "...to get "up close and personal" with one of the hottest topics being reviewed in Greater Victoria." Bev Highton representing the CRD Business & Residential Taxpayer's Association is the other key speaker and opposes Light Rail.

You can find out more details here:

http://udi.bc.ca/con...-october-6-2011

It will be moderated by Stephen Andrews from CTV and the debate will be opened-up to the audience for questions.

Rob has been a strong advocate for LRT for over 10 years. As an economist he recognizes that transportation planning and land use go hand-in-hand and he believes that we need to create a transportation authority for Metro Victoria with the power to centralize revenue and investments.

You can find out more about Rob's platform on Transportation and Land Use by going to his website robwickson.ca and of course you can follow Rob on facebook and twitter!

This event will definitely set the stage for the future and Rob is really looking forward to have this opportunity to present the case for LRT.

Christina Mitchell

Senior Campaign Advisor

robwickson.ca

Rob Wickson 250-812-9164

Today's TC has a report on the LRT debate at the Urban Development Institute;

http://http://www.ti...8078/story.html


Christina Mitchell

Senior Campaign Advisor

http://robwickson.ca

Sorry about the url mis-link. That's a lack of ipad and finger co-ordination!

This should get you where you need to be;


http://http://www.ti...8078/story.html

Christina

Hmm...the url doesn't want to change. I'm sure you can find the article though. I have also linked it successfully - I think - on the Infrastructure LRT Forum.

Christina

Pros and cons of LRT thrashed out in debate (7-Oct)

"Now, said Wickson, we just continue to build roads, taking little notice of the land use or land value through which they travel. "So we have lots of roads going out in different directions with nothing beside them until you get to the other end," said Wickson.

I drive around Victoria regularly, and don't know of any new roads....?

One naturally wonders about ulterior motives amongst vocal West Shore LRT supporters. Speculators in adjacent real estate might hope for a temporary spike. There is also the matter of creating a new highly-specialized silo of bureaucracy, and the prospect of job security.

Both debaters agreed on one thing - that transportation planning in Victoria has to be much more centralized and coherent.

Wonder how much of the pessimism over local transportation stems from derision over the Mt. Newton Interchange debacle. Nobody wants something like that in their back yard.

Wickson said places such as Oak Bay village or Estevan village grew because they were served by transit and a transportation network.

Oh really? I wondered why they were bustling with busloads of people going to Estevan and Oak Bay Village.....now I understand!

Did Cook Street Village ever see streetcar service?

One naturally wonders about ulterior motives amongst vocal West Shore LRT supporters. Speculators in adjacent real estate might hope for a temporary spike.

This is true and one of the reasons why the Urban Development Institute hosted the debate.

Cook Street village had a streetcar, teh #6, you can see the street it turned out onto was made wider because of the street car - May. There is even an apartment building at May and Linden. That seems oddly out of place

You can also see the #3 streetcar impact at Niagara and Menzies. The #3 ran to Fernwood though along Gladstone from Cook Street.

You can also evidence of what the streetcar route in Vic West, there are commercial buildings and small apartments on Catherine Street

The most specific streetcar development is the Uplands, the developers I believe contributed money to the extension of the line from near Oak Bay high to the Uplands around the time of World War 1

Rob will be attending the Saanich Civic League public forum at UVic on Oct 15.

http://http://www.sa...er-Oct-2011.pdf


Christina Mitchell

Senior Campaign Advisor

http://robwickson.ca