Newsletters

The Sidney Community Association & Radio Sidney hosted a panel discussion regarding the recent Provincial housing legislation. The objective of the legislation is to reduce process delays in order to assist communities in meeting their housing needs. However, it raises questions about how the legislation will impact Sidney neighbourhoods.
Most significant for Sidney, is Bill 44 which will require that as of June 30, 2024, the Land Use Bylaw be amended in single family zones to:
• Permit secondary suites or accessory dwelling units (Note: These are currently permitted in some single family zones)
• Three dwelling units on lots with an area of less than 280 m2
• Four dwelling units on lots with an area of more than 280 m2
Legislation is already in place that no longer allows a public hearing for a residential development that is consistent with the Official Community Plan.
If you are interested in listening to the entire panel discussion it is available on Radio Sidney – Peninsula Affairs.

The SCA  will help to ensure that its membership’s opinions and concerns reach the Town’s council and staff.

SCA hosts Bioregional Framework Presentation

During the Sidney Summit on Habitat and Environment in November 2018, there was a broad consensus that more could be done to support the health of the environment.  Emphasis on collaborative action sparked the idea of developing a Bioregional Framework to support a Peninsula-wide approach to the environment.

The Bioregional Framework was completed in 2021 and the intent is to now present the proposed strategies and recommendations.

The Sidney Community Association will be hosting a presentation of the Bioregional Framework by Bob Peart.  Bob Peart is the Coordinator of the Saanich Peninsula Environmental Coalition.  Bob has a wealth of experience as a biologist and educator, specializing in the fields of parks management, land use planning and environmental education.

We encourage you to join us for his presentation using the Zoom link below:

Topic: SCA hosts Bioregional Framework presentation
Time: Sunday, Feb 20, 2022 02:00 PM
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72603121592?pwd=rdiH_CLwsx61uZsuHhxtN5pgmkEGLe.1
Meeting ID: 726 0312 1592
Passcode: NH8j3r

Dragons of Inaction – How they attack our climate behaviour

The Town of Sidney has initiated an update to the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The Climate Action Plan will focus on the following eight key areas:

Transportation               Natural Environment

Buildings                         Town Leadership

Land Use                         Infrastructure

Food & Waste                 Emergency Preparedness

As part of the process, the Town of Sidney undertook a survey to identify logistical barriers that people face when considering incorporating specific climate actions into their lives. The survey focused on barriers to:

·         Owning/using electric vehicle/e-bike
·         Reducing /eliminating number of cars
·         Switching to more energy efficient heating

The results of the survey will be useful in identifying practical obstacles but research in human behaviour has identified that there are much deeper impediments that block us from changing our climate behaviour even when we are aware of the implications.

Professor Robert Gifford is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria.  He developed what he described as the “Dragons of Inaction.” These are facets of human behaviour that apply to all aspects of our lives including responding to climate action.

They centre on the conflict between broader societal goals and our personal goals. We know we should cycle or walk more but it’s more convenient and comfortable to drive.  In addition, we resist making changes in our personal lives  because it really won’t make a difference and mitigating climate change is the responsibility of ‘others’.

Professor Gifford developed a Dragon Self Diagnosis, Diagnose Your Dragons, available at this link.

This is a series of statements that we all use and hear.  Professor Gifford’s argument is that recognition is the best way to know where to begin towards a better carbon lifestyle.  Full confession, after completing the self diagnosis, I realize I have a lot of work to do.

Professor Gifford acknowledged that overcoming these barriers will be challenging and it will require communities to continue with various forms of engagement and this will take time.

Connecting with the Community
We are undertaking an initiative to connect to the community through ‘street meetings’. If you and your neighbours are interested in learning more about a particular topic or have concerns that you want to make us aware of, let us know.  We will host a socially distanced meeting on your street.  You bring the coffee – we’ll bring the donuts.

Board Membership
We are looking for new Board members so that we can continue to provide a service to our membership.  We are looking for Board members with one or all  the following skills:

• Social Media ( Facebook,  our website,  newsletter )
• Virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom)
• Mobility Issues (ability of sidewalks and streets to accommodate a range of users such as scooters and cyclists)

We are also looking for representation from the Greenglade and “South Sidney” neighbourhoods.

Membership
This year it will be more important than ever that we hear from you.  We encourage you to sign up at: https://sidneycommunityassociation.ca/membership/

Our mailing address is:
Sidney Community Association
PO Box 20095 Sidney BC V8L 5C9

Best wishes from your Board of Directors: Dennis Carlsen, Lynda Comber, Steve Duck, Lindy Templeman