Correspondence — Email re: Proposed Rezoning (790 McCallum Road)

Letter: Rezoning Application of 790 McCallum Road

• To: The Council of the City of Langford
• From: [redacted] (property owner [redacted])
• Email: [redacted]
• Date: January 31, 2018
• Subject: Rezoning Application of 790 McCallum Road.
• Reference: Staff Report - Planning, Zoning and Affordable Housing Committee – 11 Dec. 17

Council has been presented with two options to protect the adjoining residential neighbourhood from the commercial and high density rezoning of 790 McCallum Road; I would like to introduce a third viable option.

Option 1: Create a 10m statutory right of way with trail (2.3 acres)
Option 2: Retain the protective existing covenant (6.9 acres)
Option 3: Create a Park with trail (30m X 1km) on the area of the existing covenant (6.9 acres)

I realise that this option of a Park with trail (30m X 1km) may seem unreasonable at first, but at the Public Hearing on February 5th, I intend to show that this option best meets Langford’s community sustainability goals, and that it is feasible.

This Park can be realised by reallocating proposed amenity contributions described in the referenced staff report.

Amenity Item:

• 4.0 acres of land
• • 2.3 acres open space for a 10m wide buffer w/trail and landscaping
• = 6.3 acres, nearly enough for the Park 6.9 acres

With thoughtful urban design, this option will not only protect the adjoining residential neighbourhood from the commercial and high density development, it will maintain an area with habitat and biodiversity value, promote healthier lifestyle, increase livability, provide connection to an existing pedestrian network, provide an attractive feature to draw investment and jobs, and therefore increase the sustainability for this new development.

I respectfully ask Council to carefully consider this viable and feasible third option for the benefit of the city, the residents of the adjoining neighbourhood, the applicant, and the future residents of this new development.

Sincerely,

[redacted]

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From: Suzette Chapman
To: Suzette Chapman
Subject: FW: 20180201 - 790 McCallum
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018 10:14:06 AM

From: [redacted]
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 4:27 PM
To: langford Administration General Mailbox administration@cityoflangford.ca
Subject: Department Directory - Planning - 790 McCallum

You have received an email from [redacted] via the Langford website:

Department: Planning
Name: [redacted]
Phone: [redacted]
Address: [redacted]
Topic: 790 McCallum

Message:

This is to convey that I am strongly opposed to the proposed reduction from 30 metres to 10 metres of the treed buffer zone along the west boundary of 790 McCallum Road. I am aware that within the 10 metres creation of a trail is proposed. This is of great concern to me, not only for privacy and safety reasons but especially for security reasons as my nearest neighbours each side are approx. 25 metres away, thus leaving my property very vulnerable to break-ins and thieves.

Secondly of equal importance and concern is the fact that 790 McCallum is home to many species of birds and other wildlife. My garden is frequented by over 22 species of birds as well as deer, rabbits, raccoons and a diversity of small creatures. Decimation of the development property would result in the total destruction of wildlife habitat. Therefore, it is essential that at the very least, the existing 30 metre buffer zone remain as a wildlife corridor.

I would like to point out that my decision to purchase this property as opposed to others I had viewed and considered was because of being aware that there was a 30 metre buffer zone at my back fence. I distinctly remember talking to a City official and asking if the trees would ever be removed within that buffer zone. The response was emphatic: "It wouldn't be a buffer zone then if the trees were to be removed would it?" Yet here we are in 2018 being faced with not only loss of the existing buffer zone but with destruction of trees which would surely result even if a trail were to be created along the west boundary.

I'm sure that residents who were in favour of the proposed 10 metre buffer zone were those swayed by the word: "trail". Those residents, however, do not have properties adjoining the buffer zone. Therefore, there would be no negative impact whatsoever to them. Comments and opinions by the residents whose properties adjoin 790 McCallum should have the most weight. From talking to those residents during the meetings at The Sheraton Hotel it was very evident that it was their strong desire to see the 30 metre buffer zone remain and no trail whatsoever created within it.

As I will be unable to attend the upcoming meeting on February 5,2018 please accept my comments here as those which I would have expressed had I been able to attend the meeting. Thank you.