News by Mare Davis The Review Residents of Central Saanich lined up for a chance to cut down the draft official community plan in a heated three-hour public hear- ing, Thursday. Some residents said the plan is so badly flawed that a moratorium should be called until the next municipal election in November. A series of speakers told a packed audience of about 400 people that council ignored public input into drafting the plan and that even the recommendations of the advisory planning commission were ignored. Others said the plan encourages significant urban growth, that will lead to the destruction of both wildlife habitat and the commun- ity’s rural character. The plan’s promotion of golf course development on Agricul- tural Land Reserve land was also slammed. “Council seems reluctant to accept input from anyone but plan- ners and developers,” Zino Del Monte said. Philip Paul, a spokesman for four Peninsula native Indian bands, angrily lashed out at the proposed five-year plan. He said council didn’t consulted with the Indian people about the proposed development of Mt. Newton slopes. “We want our territorial rights and interests to be respected by all levels of government. “Mt. Newton is like the greatest cathedral in the world to us. It’s a place of prayer and meditation .. . It'll be over our dead bodies before you build another house on that mountain,” he said. Paul said the Indian bands have the ultimate power to control pop- ulation growth on the Peninsula because the municipality’s sewer lines run through Indian land. Most other speakers argued that a majority of residents were ignored in the drafting of the blueprint for the future of their community and that the proposed four per cent population growth was unacceptable. Clarence Bolt, a spokesman with the Association for the Pro- tection of Rural Central Saanich, said most residents responding to ‘questionnaires circulated by plan- ning consultants called for a popu- lation growth of less than two per cent. “This is a rapid growth plan that goes against the wishes of those who answered the question- naires,” Bolt said. “It undermines the platforms on which the alder- men were elected.” Bruce Cockburn added fuel to the flames of discontent when he said council was bowing to pres- sure from developers. “Why do so many residents of this community think that council is under the pressure of special interests pro-development groups,” he said “We want council to show the gumption to stand up to this pres- Sure when it’s at odds with the interests of the community.” Andrew Yeoman, a local farmer and director of the Mount Newton Conservation Society, said that more than 800 people joined the Community plan draws fire from residents society to voice concerns about development of the southern slopes of Mt. Newton, which could mean the construction of up to 2,000 houses. He added that the plan would threaten the farmland in the valley, the rural character of Mt. Newton Crossroad, the Douglas fir trees on the slopes and the water quality of the Saanich Inlet. A spokesman for Butchart Gar: dens said the plan’s proposed development of Tod Inlet could harm the Gardens’ reputation as a tourist attraction of “international Stature.” He said that the pastoral vistas that are visible from the Gardens’ sight lines would be ruined if there was hillside development in Tod Inlet. A couple of younger residents Tan against the tide of sentiment. One man said that a no-growth policy would effectively drive up house prices, beyond the reach of young people in the area, forcing them to leave the Peninsula to make their homes elsewhere. “I don’t want your legacy of a stagnant community. If you don’t offer any kind of growth, you’re offering no heritage for your chil- dren,” he said. At the council meeting Monday, Mayor Ron Culis said council would not discuss the public forum-until “some time next week.” He added that it would likely be discussed in camera at an upcomning planning and zoning committee meeting, Monday. A bylaw to adopt the plan has received three readings. SIDNEY S FLOAT SAILS through the Oak Bay Tea Party parade Saturday, bearing Miss Sidney 1988 Shannon Pearson, Miss Sidney 1989 Leigh-Anne Hughes and Miss Sidney 1986 Anifa Frederiksen, along with Niki and Siacy Turner. The float, con- structed under the super vision of Don Trivett, Gor- don Pearson and Beverly Pearson, took first prize in the Esquimalt Buccaneer Day parade. The float is sponsored by the Penin- sula Celebrations Society. Multiple Sclerosis SOCIETY OF CANADA Supports NATIONAL ACCESS AWARENESS WEEK JUNE 10-16 Wont you? RX75 Riding Mower SAANICHTON, B.C. More Choices More Features John Deere stands for the best in lawn and garden care. For lawn-care professionals and homeowners alike, John Deere is the name to count on. FSS) J. GRIEVE MOTORS LTD. 7865 EAST SAANICH RD. Nothing Runs Like a Deere® | SOHN DEERE JDFP FINANCE PLAN CONFIDENCE IN OUR EQUIPMENT CONFIDENCE IN YO 652-5281 VOS 1MO 12u330 NHOFS _TheReview Wednesday, June 6,1990 — A16 Cycling races planned * for Peninsula roadways The Victoria Wheeler’s Cycling Club will host two major bicycle races in Central Saanich on June 29 and 30, the parks and recreation committee agreed May 28. But an estimated cost of $1,060 to police the event will be paid for by the Wheelers, the committee said. Up to 150 top level cyclists will compete in the events and points that they receive will help deter- mine whether they compete on a national team at the world cycling championships in Japan later this year. The Wheelers intend to post notices of events in Greater Vic- tora newspapers so that there is sufficient warning of road detours to traffic in the area. The roads most likely to be affected are Wallace Drive, Mt. Newton Crossroad, Stelly’s Cross- road and West Saanich Road. farm labour x landscaping * greenhouse labour 8 am to 4:30 pm. AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES A FREE SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES If you are a reliable worker looking for work or are an employer looking for reliable employees in the following areas: on a full time, part time or casual basis, contact us at 2661 Douglas Street, Victoria, phone 382-7201, Monday - Friday silviculture *construction xgeneral labour DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH ., ‘OUT OF DATE TRAVEL \ ae INFORMATION! H y Nautical Charts Vs ih a AUT \. \s DINNER FOR TWO BALLS ONLY $1 Ass SPECIAL OF THE ¥ ALMOND GUY DING ¥ PINEAPPLE CHICKEN A 7? y FAMILY DINNER = ¥ CHICKEN CHOW MEIN |( ¥ CHICKEN FRIED RICE ¥ DEEP FRIED PRAWNS ¥ SWEET & SOURBONE- ||: LESS PORK : ¥ CHICKEN CHOW MEIN (‘Bayshore FAMILY RESTAURANT Chinese Cuisine FULLY LICENCED OPEN 11AM TUESDAY - SUNDAY : (Except Holidays) 812 Verdier Ave. Brentwood Bay : ¥ BEEF CHOP SUEY = ¥ Serves 4-5 persons 7) ONLY $595 Serving the Peninsula for over 12 years. Always with Guaranteed Freshness, Consistancy and Good Taste. oo 652-3622 —_™~™- °°» ”-