I support adding housing while protecting mature trees, green streets and neighbourhood identity through early canopy planning, meaningful replacement and better public-realm design.
Chamber ACM question
I support adding housing, but I also think we need to be very clear about what we are trying to protect as Esquimalt grows.
A big part of neighbourhood identity is physical. It is the mature trees, green streets, shade, setbacks, parks, and the way buildings sit within that landscape. If we lose the tree canopy, we are not just losing environmental value, we are changing the look and feel of the neighbourhood itself.
That is why I want tree protection considered at the very beginning of development. We should update our canopy mapping, identify significant trees before a site is designed, and require applicants to show how those trees will be retained wherever reasonably possible. Where removal is unavoidable, replacement should be meaningful and contribute back to the canopy we are losing.
I also want new development assessed on what it contributes to the street and public realm, not just how many units it delivers.
Growth should add housing without stripping away the trees, streetscape and sense of place that people already value.
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