Lost two big oaks on our street in recent times

Dear Major and Council,

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed development of above property. I am a long-time resident of Oak Bay having lived on Roslyn Rd and at our current address on St. David St. for over 26 years. My sense is that the character of Oak Bay which drew my wife and I to this area is changing for the worst. The very icon –the Garry Oak---that bestows the district’s name is disappearing as is the character of the homes in Oak Bay. We have lost two big oaks on our street in recent times(not to development) and in my opinion it is imperative that we maintain the health of mature oak trees as well as the character of our neighbourhood.

With regard to 236 Oak Bay Ave, the idea of blasting a building’s footprint down to twelve feet is ridiculous even if an oak tree was not present. A good friend who had lived in Oak Bay for over 25 years on Victoria Ave. sold his home last year (moving out of the district) largely as a result of having to endure blasting as homes beside and behind him were built. His one hundred year old home was riddled with new plaster cracks and an insurance settlement came into play as a result of blasting.

If Oak Bay is promoting itself as a green community, than we should walk the talk. Many homes in my opinion should not be allowed to be demolished if there are not serious structural issues present. To tear down a home in the name of taste/aesthetics when the home is sound with the resulting flow of countless tons on quality fir and other materials to landfill is grossly wasteful.

I believe that the developers who own 2326 Oak Bay Ave. should have to work with the property’s limitations. Perhaps living space will have to be sacrificed for parking so excessive blasting does not have to be done and the Garry Oak can be saved. I would also like to see the district develop a policy to encourage the preservation of original structures (the way the new library was developed for example) and discourage the total removal of homes from properties.

Sincerely,

Glenn Milbury BSC. M.E.S.

1067 St. David St.