I live in James Bay, across the street from a development proposal that goes so against the grain of everything that James Bay stands for that I cannot believe the Victoria city council continues to push it forward.

The parking lot bounded by Montreal, Kingston and Quebec Streets begs for a thoughtful housing development that will not overtake, in more ways than one, this already busy corner.

Have you been here on a sunny day, particularly in the summer cruise ship season, when the neighbourhood is backed up with cars, buses, bicycles, pedicabs, horse drawn carriages, and many pedestrians?

The proposed development, which the city planners have already turned down three times, is not the place for yet another coffee shop, we have many good ones already along with restaurants. To add oversized density, and a high building out of context with the immediate area on to this lot, does not make planning sense.

It will just make the congestion worse, particularly on a day when there is a sporting event such as a bike race or a marathon.

If this rezoning goes through it will just be the beginning of city council approving more too-high, mixed-use developments that do not fit in with what this neighbourhood or city is known for, its charm.

Cynthia Cosulich

James Bay

I was dismayed to see the report that inflation has pushed the Saanich active transportation infrastructure plan 20 years down the road, but the municipality won’t charge for parking.

Our car habit means drivers might complain, but surely we have to do this. Most traffic is single occupant vehicles going short distances.

Drivers are already heavily subsidized by property taxes, federal pipelines, and a health-care system........

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