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Oak Bay Developer turns NIMBY but still plans Saanich project that Neighbours Oppose


Dave Secco
Dec 30, 2025


If you click on the following link, it will take you to Oak Bay Municipality’s
Monday, November 24, 2025 Council Meeting Agend:

https://oakbay.civicweb.net/document/160466/

You can then go to the page number box at the top, with ‘1 of 1270’ (page one out of 1270 pages), in it. Type in 729 where the 1 is in the box… and hit enter. It will take you to page 721, which has a Nov. 21 email written by an Oak Bay Developer.:

He is strongly opposed to the planned development at 2850/2830 Lansdowne because:

Of the scale, intent and precedent the project sets.

The proposal is designed primarily to maximize developer profit at the expense of his neighbourhood’s character, environment and long standing planning principles.

What is proposed is not affordable housing, nor does it align with any reasonable interpretation of housing need.

The plan sacrifices mature trees and the irreplaceable character of the neighbourhood.

Soft marketing of the project is being done on the developer’s website before Council has even voted on it.

In Saanich, at 1899 Cochrane Street, a block from where I live, this same developer, Seba Construction, proposes to build eight townhouses. Our neighbourhood has pushed back because the plan was to:

1. Remove all seven trees, one of which is Old Monty, an 80 year old Monterey Pine
2. Build lot line to lot line

3. Build eight high end 4 bed and 3 bath units that will each retail for more than $1.2 million

4. Build six of the eight units with suites

5. Build three stories above grade with a peaked roof of another six feet

Build ONE off street guest parking space

7. Ask for five variances in the process

Unbelievable eh? Vehemently oppose a proposal in your own neighbourhood for the same reasons that others oppose what you plan to build in their neighbourhood!
And on the Developer’s website they boast about how much “they value community engagement,” that “their projects reflect the desires of their neighbours.” Not!

We have held rallies, gathered hundreds of signatures on two petitions, had Mayor and Council visit the site, got on CHEK TV and in Saanich News, and written dozens of letters to Planning and Engineering. Even invited the Developer (no show) to the site…twice.

We have made a little progress…
The re-submitted plan is still not what the neighbourhood wants or needs!
Soft marketing of the project is being done on the developer’s website before Council’s approval!

Apparently the Lansdowne proposal, met all of Oak Bay’s rules and policies but was voted down because of NIMBY pressure. Our neighbourhood is open to the idea of small footprint, one and a half story duplexes which would fit discreetly into our neighbourhood, preserve significantly more green space and provide lesser
expensive housing. If only Saanich would listen to us like Oak Bay did!

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See also:

Oak Bay Council Narrowly Rejects Six-Unit Uplands Development at 2830/2850 Lansdowne Rd. – CRD Watch Homepage

Will Oak Bay Council Allow 30 Protected Trees to Be Cut for Townhomes in the Uplands? Residents Urge Council to Reject Proposed Development – CRD Watch Homepage

Index of CRD Watch articles concerning the environment/ecology. – CRD Watch Homepage