From one tree, a community grew

Times Colonist
Published: Monday, March 20, 2006
Re: "Heritage on the line in Oak Bay," Feb. 27.

We agree with the sentiments expressed by Oak Bay Coun. Pam Copley and longtime heritage advocate Pat Wilson that the rural beauty of Bartlett Avenue has been dramatically, and negatively, altered by recent development.

However, we also agree with the previous letter writers who say that the community is better off because of this development.

These developments have greatly enhanced community spirit. South Oak Bay neighbours were so outraged by the destruction of the magnificent copper beech tree in January 2005, and similar instances throughout Oak Bay, that we came together to lobby mayor and council members for increased protective measures for our urban forest.

Neighbours who may previously only have nodded politely to each other in recognition joined a community of several hundred concerned individuals, united in their common desire to protect Oak Bay's green assets and heritage from dispassionate development.

Environmentalists joined forces with heritage advocates and neighbours found an avenue to voice concerns about the rapidly changing face of Oak Bay. Together, we created the Oak Bay Green Committee, but in the process, and more importantly, we formed a community spirit.

This concerned community successfully lobbied mayor and council members to evaluate better tree protection, and mayor and council have responded to the community's wishes.

Although we lament the changes on Bartlett Avenue, we realize that this small, over-developed street was the catalyst that created a strong, environmentally conscious community.

Unfortunately, it took the destruction of the venerable copper beech tree and the Captain McNeil property on Bartlett Avenue to bring the community together.

Trevor and Valerie Williams,

Oak Bay.