11 replies to this topic

[rjag]

Couple of new buildings going on out there these days, ground broken beside Buckerfields and a new tilt-up storage building on Mirah beside the West call centre.

Dan Foss is moving out to Oldfield in a few months too.

Good to see as Central Saanich has been largely ignored from a commercial perspective.

Maybe a Tim Hortons will open soon!!!

[VicHockeyFan]

Maybe a Tim Hortons will open soon!!!

About three years ago one was scheduled to open in the Co-op Store plaza, but never happened.

[Holden West]

I haven't been out that way in a few years. Is this an area that would benefit from a "village centre"? Is there an intersection where a half dozen or so 4-6 storey mixed use buildings could be constructed, making a 'mini downtown'?

[rjag]

I haven't been out that way in a few years. Is this an area that would benefit from a "village centre"? Is there an intersection where a half dozen or so 4-6 storey mixed use buildings could be constructed, making a 'mini downtown'?

Thats taking place in Brentwood at Wallace Dr and West Saanich area. Should make a nice difference to the area.

Keating is more of a business park (Light industry, warehousing and distribution, tech etc) and one of the largest sources of revenue for Central Saanich. However the municipality has largely ignored it over the years and its quite plain. A few local businesses have done their bit for the most part and tried to spruce up their properties, but without the backing from the council and their lack of vision, it will be a pretty plain area. Shame really as this is the main artery to Butchart.

[Holden West]

OK, that makes sense. I recall the streets being fairly wide which lends itself to densification, just like Douglas Street as it passes through Rock Bay. As opposed to places like Saanichton or even Qualicum/Parksville/Courtney or other small BC towns where the main streets are so narrow I don't think there will ever be significant densification because there's not enough room for broad sidewalks, dedicated RT lanes, bike lanes etc.

[Baro]

Hey! This is where I work. I never noticed any construction though, must be on the west end?

[lewis]

Thats taking place in Brentwood at Wallace Dr and West Saanich area. Should make a nice difference to the area.

Keating is more of a business park (Light industry, warehousing and distribution, tech etc) and one of the largest sources of revenue for Central Saanich. However the municipality has largely ignored it over the years and its quite plain. A few local businesses have done their bit for the most part and tried to spruce up their properties, but without the backing from the council and their lack of vision, it will be a pretty plain area. Shame really as this is the main artery to Butchart.

Why on earth would you waste tax payers dollars on beautification of an industrial park, especially at a time when the country, province and municipalities are all facing an economic downturn? Where are your priorities?

[rjag]

Why on earth would you waste tax payers dollars on beautification of an industrial park, especially at a time when the country, province and municipalities are all facing an economic downturn? Where are your priorities?

OMG put your bible down and stop thumping your chest!!!!

The main artery to Central Saanich is either Keating X rd or Mt Newton. Considering Keating is the main road for tourists going to Butcharts and other things out there and they are part of the economy it doesnt take a rocket scientist to determine that sometimes you need to invest in your infrastructure to recognize a return and perhaps improvement to the bottom line.

Keating off the highway is massively overdue for upgrading whether its an overpass or other and it should be done before someone gets killed.

The dual carriageway locations through the business park is begging for Central Saanich council to upgrade the area. Considering about 30% of their property tax base is in this location and yet they have no vote, its been largely ignored for years. Look at Langford and what a wonderful job that has been accomplished to the Goldstream and Veterans Parkway arteries. It should come as no shock to you to consider that beautification of areas such as this reflect on the state of a community, theres no pride in C.S. in fact the council out there are one of the reasons I believe in term limits.

Mayor Marr said he was happy that West closed as he didnt like the extra traffic yet several hundred people were laid off and the ripple effect it had on local businesses didnt even occur to him should serve as an indicator of what type of person he is...no grasp on reality.

Now back to your original comment, my priorities are based on the fact that 90% of the BC population are employed by small business and they represent the lifeblood of any community not only from the people and wages but for shouldering the burden of being over taxed and over regulated by self serving egoists. In Central Saanich these same hypocrites you are defending want to build themselves a monument to themselves in the form of a new municipal hall and firehall while our infrastructure is dire need of attention.

Go ask them where their priorities lie.

[lewis]

RJAG,
Please cut out the nonsensical comments-(bible thumping), grow up.

Please read a little bit closer RJAG, before making another ridiculous response.
I repeat, "why waste tax dollars on beautification at this time"?

I will elaborate for you, add to this: Instead spend on 'much needed' infrastructure such as traffic improvements including to major arteries, interchanges to the Pat Bay Highway, etc as proposed by the re-elected mayor Mr. Mar.
BTW "fire-hall and municipal hall" are very much a part of the municipal infrastructure.

Also I did ask 'them' what their priorities are and I voted accordingly.

You speak as if you are an expert on everything municipal.
By the way you write, and by your tendency to jump to conclusions before virtually any intelligent discussion, I doubt that you are an expert on anything, particularly municipal government.

[G-Man]

Both of you could do with some lovin'.

Ease it up in here.

[rjag]

Lewis, I have managed my business in C.S. since 1982. In that time we have seen councils and Mayors come and go. In the past few years it has become painfully obvious that it would be easier to herd cats than deal with council. The way they are dealing with the secondary suites issue and with the residents of Senanus Drive water is reprehensible.

When we built a new facility a few years ago, they asked for an additional fire hydrant and new sidewalks at our expense. No problem, we will work to improve safety without complaint. When cars started parking in front of the hydrant we asked C.S. to paint some yellow lines around it as this is illegal and was also blocking our exit sight lines. We wrote several times over the course of a year warning them that if someting wasnt done there would be an accident when vehicles were leaving our property. This was ignored until of course we had a major accident. When the police showed up to deal with this, they wouldnt enforce the parking violations and referred us to complain to council. So we took it upon ourselves to spend the money and paint the lines in front of the fire hydrant. We then get a nasty letter from C.S. indicating that this was public property and we were not allowed to do this. When our lawyer wrote to them indicating that if they had done their job in the first place and spent a small portion of the $125,000 of that years property taxes we had paid them we wouldnt have been placed in that predicament. Needless to say they backed off.

I talk to many property owners in Keating and they are very disgruntled at the heavy handed way they are dealt with and complaints basically fall on deaf ears. Its too difficult for commercial property owners to register to vote so council doesnt care.

I have my opinions and you have yours. If you do a bit of research you will see that Mar made the same comments about seeking upgrades to Keating last election and not one single thing has been done since. No-one is holding their breath this time either.

There is only so much money in the budget, so perhaps councils first priority is to have a close hard look at their internal departments first instead of looking at raising extra cash by raising permits fees and penalties for bylaw infractions etc. They have more than enough money but for a small municipality they are very top heavy

I think I am more than qualified to discuss C.S. municipal politics, with 26 years of running a business and investing there.

[Bernard]

Some stuff on Peninsula Coop getting involved with the local election to help push for rezoning in this area.