Members of a Langford group opposing an apartment complex on their street say they are heading toward the first stages of legal action against the municipality.
J. Scott of Fairway Neighbours Unite said the group’s lawyer is being directed to approach B.C.’s ombudsman’s office and to look into the Local Government Act and Community Charter to determine how efforts should proceed.
“We really want to ask them to investigate Langford and its lack of transparency.”
No court action is imminent.
“We are going one step at a time,” Scott said. “We’re just going through the steps to hold Langford accountable.”
The feeling is that people are being “shut out of the democratic process,” she said.
Coun. Denise Blackwell said the apartment complex proposal still had to come to council and then perhaps proceed to a public hearing. “We’re hoping to reduce the number of storeys.”
She said it would be easier without COVID-19 and be able to speak to people face-to-face.
Scott said the core issue of two apartment buildings being proposed for a neighbourhood on a narrow street with single-family homes, at the corner of Fairway Avenue and Goldstream Avenue, has been complicated by Langford council’s “secrecy” in deciding this month not to livestream its meetings. She said it was unusual the decision was made in camera. “That’s the thing that really is odd to us.”
Most municipalities in the capital region make audio and video recordings of their meetings.
Residents have been asking for livestreaming since June, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so that they can participate in council meetings, Scott said.
The Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria have also spoken out against the decision not to livestream.
Scott said her group is also upset that the apartment complex will next be considered by council at the earliest possible date — a planning and zoning meeting Jan. 11. It was initially going to be held Feb. 8, she said.
She said the situation has prompted a lot of calling and writing to councillors, and over 450 people have signed a petition against the development. The petition says the project calls for 224 units.
Scott said the group’s lawyer was hired in the summer.
