Category: Provincial and Federal
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Boundary Tree Raises Legal Question for Fort Street Development
Victoria City Council had endorsed a six-storey mixed-use development at 1905–1907 Fort Street and 1923–1929 Davie Street, subject to conditions. The proposal, REZ00859 / DPV00248, includes 75 purpose-built rental units and ground-floor commercial space. At Council’s July 23 meeting, neighbouring property owner Pam Simek of 1919 Davie Street presented a certified BC Land Surveyor (BCLS) survey concerning a mature,… Read more
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Urban Forest Myths: Debunking the Debunkers
Summary: This article reviews common claims about urban trees and compares them with current urban forestry research. Topics include replacement planting, mature tree value, biodiversity, and the ecological role of urban forests in climate resilience. By 🐿️ Squirrel for Mayor What does the urban forest have to do with housing myths? That is a fair… Read more
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903 Admirals Road: Bill 16, Green Infrastructure, and a Potential Shift in Esquimalt Policy
By 🐿 Squirrel for Mayor The proposed development at 903 Admirals Road has become a test case for how municipalities can use new powers under British Columbia’s housing legislation to require stronger environmental performance from development projects. At the centre of the discussion is Bill 16 (Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2024), which expanded municipal authority under… Read more
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Garry Oak Ecosystem: What the Songhees Nation Is Asking Us to See with the Quadra McKenzie Plan (QMP)
The Quadra McKenzie Plan (QMP) in Saanich is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The plan proposes significant growth over the next 20 years, concentrating housing and mixed-use development along the Quadra-McKenzie corridor and key transit routes. Its ambitious growth targets are largely driven by provincial housing mandates, illustrating how provincial… Read more
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Bill 16: An Untapped Opportunity for Victoria’s Urban Forest
Much of the public discussion about housing legislation has focused on what municipalities can no longer do. Bills 44, 46, and 47 reduced local control over density and removed public hearings for many residential developments. As a result, communities across British Columbia have struggled with how to protect urban forests while accommodating growth. Yet another… Read more
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BC NIMBY Toolkit (Housing / Development Guidelines) and No Public Hearings
🐿️ Squirrel for Mayor Unearthed documents show the use of the word “NIMBY” in BC government publications. Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR, 2019) Direct quote: “Public hearings can enable NIMBY (an acronym for ‘not in my backyard’) which describes residents’ opposition to a development in their own neighbourhood, while raising no objections to similar developments… Read more