Re: "Ivy faces chop from store wall," Aug. 23.
I agree with Coun. Judy Brownoff in regards to her opposition to Target's plans to rip the ivy off the old Zeller's storefront.
When I served as a member of the advisory design panel at Saanich years ago, one of the projects we reviewed was the last addition to Tillicum Mall.
The proponents from RioCan were recommended and agreed to a similar planting to cover the large expansive wall they were planning to leave as bare stucco.
I suggested they maintain the better brick finish, front and back, and plant some kind of viney flora to soften the rather plain walls looming over the parking lot.
If you check the southside loading docks, you can see the open structure intended to support those plants, to help "pretty up" that eyesore.
They retained the brick finish with climbing plants on the front wall, built the open screen, in steel not wood, but chose not to install the plantings they agreed to. Saanich did not call them on it, even though it doesn't match their drawings or honour their agreement to a better finish with plants to match the other walls.
Now, it would appear the new tenant, Target, has decided to ignore the former design features agreed upon by RioCan and propose to rip off the old ivy anyway.
I don't believe invasiveness even matters on a brick building like this one.
Ryan E. Langkamer
Saanich
