Wednesday, August 31

Have you ever visited the observatory at the Centre of the Universe?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Should councillors live where they're elected?

  • Yes (95%, 19 Votes)
  • No (5%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

Loading ... Loading ...
Recent Comments
  • Donald Bottrell: I urge all of the members of this wonderful community that had a part in the development and support of our Official Community Plan to view the Youtube clip of...
  • Biodiversity: Well said, C.S. resident.
  • C.S. Resident: The Official Community Plan is what was “envisioned” for Central Saanich. None of these big box projects that you mention are part of that plan for...
  • D. Leonsaari: Of course, I would not vote for any candidates who did not live on the Peninsula. If you had one mayor and 6 councillors, the savings would be over $200,000!...
  • Ryan Windsor: A truly excellent summation of the current state of affairs in Central Saanich. Thank you for sharing Mary!
  • Ryan Windsor: The important question to be answered is could positions be eliminated under an amalgamation scenario? While I certainly understand and agree that there are...
  • biodiversity: Thanks for thinking outside the box. It’s a fascinating scenario and we have councilors who have barely attended every other meeting, so two council...
Recent Articles
Archive

Marina Expansion to Drop Anchor on Moodyville?

Author: Ed Johnson, Citizen Journalist

Dale Cotton is an optimistic fellow.  He has to be to tackle all levels of government – federal, provincial, and municipal – to advance his vision for an expanded marina at the foot of Verdier Avenue in Brentwood Bay.

Advertiser


“I want to see Portside Marina become a friendly destination for families wishing to experience a public marina and all it has to offer,” he said.

His plans call for a floating arts and crafts store where native art from the local bands will be on display with artists present, a kayaking centre, a viewing platform, a fish and chips stand, boat building classes, and possibly the sale of local fish and prawns in season.  The concept would include facilities for up to 15 live-aboards among the 50 slips contemplated.

The marina has an illustrious past, being at one time a fish cannery and smoke house known as Gilbert’s Boathouse in 1927.  Harry Gilbert’s native style carvings are still evident and his fishing guide business entertained notable visitors such as Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker whose picture adorns one wall.     Portside Marina

The enlargement of the marina, however, may find its greatest detractors among the local residents of Moodyville, as the historic tightly knit community with its narrow streets and small lots is known.  Chief among their concerns is the extra traffic and parking this project would submit to the area if approved.  Mr. Cotton acknowledges that this is being studied by Central Saanich engineering staff, and that the ratio of parking required to accommodate the various components of the expansion plan may limit the size and activities planned.

Currently 32 parking spaces are in the concept plan which includes tearing down one of the original beach houses in the area to accommodate the extra space required. Although a six foot high fence will surround most of the lot, a majority of the houses next to the lot are two stories, so not only will there be more noise, but also some views will be impacted.

“We already have to close our windows on summer evenings because of the noise emanating from the Brentwood Bay Inn – a block away,” said resident Alex Gortan. “Now there is the potential for noise much closer.”

Ed Johnson, SVO

The second concern that property owners immediately adjacent to the marina have is the growing number of ‘live-aboard’ boats anchored in the bay that will only be pushed farther north.  Live-aboards are where people make a boat their primary residence despite there being no municipal planning or permission for it.

This with the added visibility of a larger marina in front of them is not the view to which they have become accustomed over the years.  And, in fact, one owner would have to relinquish his foreshore rights for this project to proceed in any meaningful way.

As it is in the initial planning stages, the project has several months to go before being presented to Central Saanich Council, whose busy planning staff has no shortage of development applications for most parts of the community.  In the meantime Mr. Cotton continues to fix up the marina and hopes that the neighbourhood will eventually embrace his efforts.

Ed Johnson, SVO

Picturesque Saunder’s Lane, a municipal park, ambles along the shoreline, adding to the charm of this little area tucked away in a corner of Brentwood Bay.

moodyville BC from ed johnson on Vimeo.

PrintShare/Bookmark

2 Responses to “Marina Expansion to Drop Anchor on Moodyville?”

  • Friend of Moodyville:

    Thank you Ed for this valuable video on the problem of traffic flow in Moodyville . Even 1,000 words would not have covered or described this problem better . Will this video be presented to the Municipality ?

    Reply
    • ed johnson:

      Certainly it could be if the project is presented to council from the planning department.

      Reply

Post a Comment

Disclaimer:
Comments appearing in Saanich Voice Online are opinions of the writers and do not represent the official position of Saanich Voice Online.

To be considered for publication, comments should be no more than 250 words. They may be condensed by Saanich Voice Online, although care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's comment. Saanich Voice Online may freely reproduce comments in print, electronic or other forms.

In order to encourage open exchange of ideas Saanich Voice Online requests that all writers maintain mutual respect. Saanich Voice Online will endeavour to not publish unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks or offensive language and reserves the right to decide whether or not to accept comments.

Any comments that appear to be irrelevant will be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief and adviser for acceptance or rejection. Saanich Voice Online reserves the right to edit comments. Edits may be made for style, legality, length and taste.

Saanich Voice Online welcomes interest from those who wish to write stories as citizen journalists. We ask that you contact us by email so that we can share our guidelines for stories.

Getz & Burden
Brentwood Coiffures
Investment Planning Counsel
Lifestyle Market
Planet Love
CDN Dollar Store