Council just keeps defeating it’s own bylaws. First it is the sign bylaw and now the zoning bylaw. SDL has been looking for a place for a transfer station for well over a year now. They have contacted council and staff and have been working diligently to find a home for their transfer station. Another transfer station has opened, operating illegally as the property is not zoned for this type of use.
The normal procedure is, the landowner applies to council for a zoning change, there is a public hearing and with public input the council then decides if the use is appropriate in this area and if it fits the Official Community Plan. This has not been done. Instead of the landowner incurring the costs of a zoning change, we, the taxpayer, are paying to have, not just this property, but 11 other properties, which are M2 zoned, to be allowed to have garbage, transfer stations. This zone says, in particular, “no garbage” transfer station.
When there is an application for such a use, there are certain requirements as well, which include, paved sites, drainage, closed storage, etc. to mitigate the smells and vermin. None of this will happen as due process is not being followed.
The mayor and Councillor Tait opposed this action but are outweighed but the other council members. The meeting is on July 14 and if others, like myself oppose this misuse of authority I encourage you to read the staff report (well done) and support the mayor and Tait on this.
Yours for due process,
Ellen Lewers
Sooke