November 12, 2020 – The District of Sooke would like to thank the community for their tremendous participation in the public survey being used to inform the development of a draft tree management bylaw. The survey saw participation from 433 respondents over the last ten days. The results from this survey will be used to inform the development of a draft tree management bylaw, which will be presented to Council on December 14, 2020.
Manager of Parks and Environmental Services, Laura Hooper, discusses the approach to developing such a bylaw, “There is a lot to consider including the species and boundary it applies to, and costs and resources associated with its implementation and management. Receiving such remarkable engagement from the community with all who participated in the survey is extremely helpful to inform this process.”
During the launch of the engagement, announced last month, Mayor Tait highlighted the purpose of such a bylaw, “A tree management bylaw will set expectations for retaining and replanting of trees as Council works to support the long-term growth of the community for future generations.” Keeping that purpose at the forefront Hooper adds, “It is important to provide a ‘made in Sooke’ approach to a tree management bylaw and with such significant response from the community, the data we have received will certainly assist in doing so.”
With the conclusion of phase one of this public process, the district is beginning phase two of engagement – meeting with agency stakeholders. Following this, a “What we heard” report and discussion of a draft bylaw will take place during the December 7, 2020 Committee of the Whole to precede the draft bylaw presentation to Council on December 14.
To stay informed on the development of the tree management bylaw, please visit sooke.ca/drafttreebylaw.
Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634, ext. 678
e: cmoog@sooke.ca
