The open meeting resumed at about 7 p.m. after a closed session. The clearest immediate safety decision came after a Central Saanich Road resident described speed-strip readings showing that 66% to 71% of passing vehicles were speeding: Council asked staff to bring the Tanner Ridge Phase 2 speed-reduction bylaw to an upcoming meeting, rather than lowering the limit that night. Council also approved a variance at 8055 Thomson Place, allowing an existing accessory dwelling unit to grow from 90 to 122 square metres to improve accessibility for multi-generational living. A major zoning bylaw update passed its first two readings and will go to a public hearing; BC Transit also outlined a long-term plan for more frequent service, rapid transit and new ways to serve rural areas.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
What was discussed
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3.1 Agenda of the June 29, 2026 Regular Council Meeting
Close the meeting to the public to discuss two labour or employee-relations matters.
Official wording: That Council convene a closed meeting pursuant to the following subsections of the Community Charter:
90(1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(c) labour relations or other employee relations (2 items).
Council reported that it had amended its volunteer firefighter honorarium policy and directed staff to enter a Community Service Agreement with the Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association. At the later presentation, staff said the revised amount would take effect January 1, 2027, with future increases considered annually through financial planning.
Agreement
The agreement and policy changes were reported as decisions already made in closed session.
9 PUBLIC QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK
transportation3 public speakers1:01:49 Watch · Read
Three people spoke. A Central Saanich Road resident on the Tanner–Keating detour route shared speed-strip data: 66.56% of 2,865 vehicles were speeding on the first recorded day, rising to 71.45% of 2,736 vehicles on the last. The resident asked Council to lower the limit immediately, citing risks to children, pedestrians and cyclists. A Tanner Road resident described ferry-related congestion, heavy truck traffic and inconsistent speed limits, and asked for more community involvement in traffic decisions. A local tree advocate asked about a community tree-planting event and representation at a Canadian urban forestry conference; staff said Tree Appreciation Day was expected in late September or early October, with planting planned at Tanner Park. Council did not lower the speed limit that night; it directed staff to bring the Tanner Ridge Phase 2 speed-reduction bylaw to an upcoming meeting.
Agreement
Council agreed that speeding on the Tanner Ridge roads warranted further consideration and directed staff to bring the relevant Phase 2 bylaw forward.
Staff said the planned Tanner Park tree event was expected to be open to the wider community.
Disagreement
The Tanner Ridge resident urged Council to reduce the speed limit immediately; Council instead chose to consider the change at a future meeting through the Phase 2 bylaw.
10.1 Central Saanich Volunteer Fire Fighters Association
community services2 public speakers1:15:38 Watch · Read
Two association representatives described the group’s work beyond emergency response: hundreds of volunteer hours at schools, parades, food drives, youth and Indigenous community events, and local fundraisers. They said training-night meals and family events help members stay connected in a paid-on-call department, supporting firefighter retention. Council thanked the association and heard that the updated honorarium amount is due to take effect January 1, 2027, with future increases handled through annual financial planning.
Agreement
Council and presenters agreed that the association’s community involvement and support for members contribute to retention and community connections.
10.2 BC Transit
transportation2 public speakers1:25:53 Watch · Read
Two BC Transit representatives presented a draft 25-year Victoria Regional Transit Plan. It proposes a Peninsula rapid bus, a more frequent transit grid serving places such as Saanichton, the hospital, Keating and Brentwood Bay, and possible app-based on-demand service in low-density areas. BC Transit said the plan also depends on faster and more reliable trips, accessible stops, shelters and new operating facilities. Council members asked whether Central Saanich’s service has improved with growth, whether rural trips are being treated as essential connections, and whether the plan could support earlier service for workers travelling from the West Shore, more exchange infrastructure and a park-and-ride. BC Transit cited recent service increases on routes 75, 82 and 87, and said additional Peninsula park-and-ride capacity is needed. One councillor cautioned against using average density alone to judge service needs; BC Transit said Central Saanich has relatively frequent service for its average density, while acknowledging that more work remains.
Agreement
More reliable and frequent transit, better connections and accessible stops are important goals.
BC Transit and Council recognized that more park-and-ride capacity on the Peninsula would help people reach higher-frequency routes.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether service and infrastructure gains have matched growth in Central Saanich and stressed that low-volume routes can still be vital lifelines; BC Transit pointed to recent service increases and judged current frequency relatively high for the area’s average density.
A councillor expressed opposition to emulating TransLink’s model and emphasized direct investment in transit; BC Transit did not respond to that view.
11.1.1 8055 Thomson Place – Development Variance Permit (2nd Report)
The application sought to increase the habitable area of an existing detached accessory dwelling unit from 90 to 122 square metres. The work would convert about 20 square metres of storage to living space, add an enclosed stair between levels and make a small footprint change. The stated purpose was to improve accessibility and accommodate a family member with accessibility needs. Council discussed how the 90-square-metre limit came from earlier provincial and Agricultural Land Commission rules and approved the permit. No one came forward to speak from the gallery.
Agreement
Council supported the variance for this property, with a councillor noting the family’s stewardship of the site.
Allow the existing detached accessory dwelling at 8055 Thomson Place to have 122 square metres of habitable floor area instead of the usual 90 square metres, by issuing the variance permit.
Official wording: That Development Variance Permit PL001935 for 8055 Thomson Place, which includes variances to increase the habitable floor area of an existing detached accessory dwelling unit from 90m² to 122m² be authorized for issuance.
The Chief Administrative Officer presented the 2025 report as an account of progress on Council’s priorities, including infrastructure renewal, active transportation, housing accessibility, environmental work and public safety. The report emphasized replacing aging roads, water and sewer systems, facilities and other assets, while balancing those costs against property-tax affordability. Staff also highlighted long-term financial and asset planning, grants and partnerships.
Agreement
The report was presented for information; no disagreement or questions were recorded.
The report on community service agreements and recipients’ 2025 activities was received for information. The chair invited questions, but none were raised.
Council endorsed receipt of a $9,965 Capital Regional District grant for waste reduction at the District’s 75th anniversary event. The event plan includes a free shuttle linking the event with Stelly’s parking lot, the library parking lot and Sanderson Bus Exchange, plus secure bike parking for up to 350 bikes. The grant will fund waste-diversion measures, with results to be shared with the regional district, Council and the community.
Agreement
Council supported using the grant to test waste-reduction measures and share what works with local event organizers.
Accept a $9,965 grant for sustainability efforts at the District’s 75th anniversary event, and share the results with the CRD, Council and the community.
Official wording: That Council endorses receipt of the CRD Zero-Waste Events grant of $9,965 for sustainability initiatives related to the District's 75th Anniversary event, including sharing results with the CRD, Council and the community.
Council gave the updated zoning bylaw its first and second readings and directed that a public hearing be scheduled. The proposed changes include clearer rules for shipping containers and floodplain areas; revised commercial and industrial zones; streamlined residential and rural zones; and new rural lot-coverage and dwelling-size limits. Staff said the update followed public engagement, referrals and several reviews by the Advisory Planning Commission. The public hearing is the next step.
Agreement
Council supported moving the draft bylaw forward to a public hearing.
Council introduced the amendment to the heat-pump financing local area service bylaw, gave it first and second readings, and gave it third reading. No discussion or opposition was recorded.
Move the heat-pump financing program amendment through its first three readings, advancing the bylaw through the approval process.
Official wording: 1. That Central Saanich Financing for Heating System Retrofits Local Area Service Bylaw Amendment No.20 2273, 2026, be introduced and given first and second reading.
2. That Bylaw 2273 be read a third time.
Council adopted the rezoning text amendment for 559 Senanus Drive. A councillor questioned the increase in permitted lot coverage from 5% to 15%. Staff explained that the parcel is unusually small compared with the surrounding rural lots and said the change was specific to this property, not expected to become a common case.
Agreement
Council approved the property-specific amendment after staff explained why the parcel was an anomaly.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether increasing lot coverage from 5% to 15% was too large a change; staff said the unusual parcel size made this a specific case.
17.1 Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor King - June 18, 2026
transportation
The agenda notice proposed asking the provincial Minister of Transportation and Transit for a timeline and meeting about safety improvements at West Saanich Road and Stelly’s Cross Road, and sending a copy of the correspondence to Tsartlip First Nation. The item is not discussed in the transcript.
18.2 Corr Bryce, T re Crosswalk Request - June 16, 2026
A councillor asked about a request for a crosswalk at Benvenuto Avenue and Wallace Drive. Staff said the request would go to the Traffic Safety Committee and be considered against a long, prioritized list of crosswalk requests; staff would reply to the letter writer.
Agreement
Staff agreed to refer the request to the Traffic Safety Committee and assess it against the existing priorities.