Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

On Monday night, I will bring a motion to Council on behalf of the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee. Here's a copy of the report to Council, recommending roof top gardens for urban farming. Have a look!

Background

Signature building to serve as catalyst for Shelbourne renewal
By Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

While staffers plan out the future of Shelbourne Valley – complete with dense centres and walkable villages – council OK'd what it hopes will be the "catalyst" for that change Monday night.

A small three-storey building – which will house a Vancity credit union, a medical practice and office space – will replace the single-floor dry cleaner and barbershop at the corner of Cedar Hill X Road and Stamboul Street.

Politicans join call for light rail transit in Greater Victoria
By Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist

Standing on a busy downtown sidewalk with transit buses rumbling by, politicians from three levels of government said the time has come for light rail transit in Greater Victoria.

Light rail transit "is the most cost effective form of transportation for our future in the region," said MP Denise Savoie (NDP-Victoria).

Saanich needs to raise its green design standards for commercial and industrial buildings.

A recent application before Council highlighted the deficiency in our energy and environmental design standards. Council approved the redevelopment of a warehouse building in the Ardersier Road commercial-industrial park. The building is a larger upgrade to the existing structure that will create new space for additional tenants.

Council approves daycare with rooftop playground
By Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

Roofs are not somewhere children should play, said two Saanich councillors last week during discussions about a rezoning request that would allow a daycare with a rooftop play area.

"I don't think that is an appropriate place for kids to play," said Coun. Wayne Hunter, who spoke against the proposal along with Coun. Vic Derman. "This is Saanich, not New York or Toronto or L.A – one of those downtown core areas. This is Saanich."

Saanich Council Demonstrates ‘Smart Growth’
A. Furtado, Saanich Voice Online

Daycare above pub supported for Shelbourne development
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

A new daycare centre is planned for a yet-to-be-built four-storey project behind Tuscany Village.

Saanich council agreed to rezone the property, at 3959 Shelbourne St., to include one-and-a-half floors of daycare, a rooftop play area, office space and a restaurant-style pub downstairs.

“When you look at all of the acres of rooftop we have in Saanich and this region, this is, I think, a clever solution to providing more outdoor space for a childcare centre,” Coun. Dean Murdock said.

Coffee shop mandated for Gordon Head corner lot
By Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

Council's position seemed pretty clear. Either a coffee shop is guaranteed for the corner of Tyndall and San Juan avenues, or the property would not get rezoned.

After councillors expressed extreme discontent that Matt Pye wouldn't commit in writing to a coffee shop, he ultimately agreed to a one-year covenant requiring one.

Kirby's plan to add sport court helps council agree to expansion
Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

A unique design feature for a proposed sports equipment store in Saanich caught councillors’ attention Monday night.

A sports court – for basketball or small games of hockey – is planned for the front yard of the new Kirby’s Source for Sports. Council gave near unanimous support to the plans for the court and the larger store, to front onto Seymour Street instead of its current Cloverdale Avenue.

Saanich must raise green standards, councillor says
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

Saanich is raising its expectations.

As sustainability features become standard when proposed residential and commercial buildings come to council for approval, one councillor is looking to ensure that all green options are considered.

Coun. Dean Murdock wants staff to set environmental standards for developers so bargaining for green features doesn’t take place at the council table.