Fate of Tinto “dragon’s teeth” uncertain
Large rocks, nicknamed 'dragon's teeth' by the mayor, line one side of Tinto Street in Oak Bay.
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Council asks again for Tinto neighbourhood brainstorm
Six months after Oak Bay council said consultation was needed with Tinto Street residents about a row of jagged boulders, they’re repeating the refrain.
“We need to speak with the neighbours and come up with some creative ideas,” Mayor Christopher Causton said Monday.
The discussion stemmed from a report Oak Bay engineering presented this week in response to complaints residents made in June. At that time 12 homeowners signed a petition voicing concerns about boulders installed to prevent parking on a grassy strip next to Monterey middle school’s playing field. Noting the sharp rocks were a hazard and unnecessary, they asked council to have them removed. While council wasn’t sure who was responsible for the block-long strip, it was clear the municipality installed the rocks.
While it has since been determined that the municipality is responsible for the strip, council this week asked staff for the same course of action previously requested – consult with neighbours about the boulders.
Council wasn’t comfortable choosing one of three options, which included spending $2,000 to remove the stones or up to $65,000 to replace them with 15 “Turf-stone” parking stalls.
Instead, the neighbours, including homeowners and Monterey’s principal, will first be invited to discuss what to do with what Causton called the “dragon’s teeth.”
vmoreau@saanichnews.com
