Who could have thought that cutting down a few trees would cause so much controversy?
Davis Bay residents and others on the Coast are outraged after the trees lining the front of The West condo development were cut down last week.
The finger pointing started almost instantly and no one took responsibility for the matter until we spoke with the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) this week.
MOT stated the trees were removed due to "safety concerns" after explaining that a planned underground hydro project and sidewalk would compromise the root structure of the trees, making them unstable.
We're not upset with the MOT's reasons to take down the trees. Lord knows that if one or more of the trees came crashing down during a major storm, causing serious injury or even death, someone would have a lot of explaining to do. We are upset with MOT, the developer and the District of Sechelt for the lack of proper public process.
All three parties are well aware of the history of this development.
Three public hearings were held. Countless other meetings and 20 re-drafts of the plan later, the project was finally given the green light by council. Some residents were still upset, but the decision was made and they had to live with it.
Throughout that process, there was never a mention by anyone that trees would be removed. The roadside sign adjacent to the property put up by the developer clearly shows the trees still standing. Now MOT comes along and cuts down the trees without any notice - and people are infuriated. Can you blame them?
MOT didn't just wake up one morning and say, hey, let's cut down those trees in Davis Bay. This had to have been in the plans for quite a while, yet no one informed the public.
A press release from the District, an advertisement from MOT, even something from the developer could have at least alleviated some of the public outcry. A little communication would have solved a lot of problems and tempered a few ill feelings. But thanks to no communication, all that's left is an angry public and a very different looking view of Davis Bay.
