Much has been touted about generous stream setbacks and green space by supporters of Neighbourhood One in Silverdale.  Numbers such as 40% tree canopy have been spread about in full page attack adds and editorials, in attempts to win public support and discredit those with environmental concerns or questions. Unfortunately, this 40% number is a lie.  When asked directly at the public hearing, city staff confessed that the number includes yards for houses (whether they are treed, paved, or whatever), and the actual tree canopy is closer to 25% of the forested hillside. The “generous” stream setbacks were revealed to be the minimum allowed under the law, this despite the presence of 5 endangered species which depend on this critical habitat. Perhaps most damning of all, scientists from both the federal Department of Fisheries and the provincial Ministry of the Environment have publicly stated that they cannot support the current plan as it poses too high of a risk to the area’s fish and wildlife.

Citizens have raised another red flag, warning that areas designated as natural open space on the city’s Official Community Plan can be erased with the stoke of a council pen, as was done for another developer earlier this month.  A concerned citizen wrote us the following letter:

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