The most contested issue was rezoning the Keating extraction lands for light industrial use: residents and W̱SÁNEĆ representatives raised concerns about polluted runoff, effects on downstream wetlands and shellfish harvesting, traffic, buffers and limited public input. Council advanced first and second reading in the transcript, while sending a list of possible safeguards and design questions to staff for a later report; whether to hold a public hearing remained open. Council also deferred a decision about removing recreation space from the civic redevelopment project to the incoming council, and delayed awarding a $310,000 consulting contract until the following week. After three public speakers described the loss of eight infant-toddler childcare spaces, council agreed to explore possible options with the childcare operator and agricultural societies.
Generated from the recording's captions and the agenda (minutes not yet published by the council).
Public input ranged across several issues. One resident challenged the decision to discuss a land matter in closed session and asked who had made that decision; the chair said the subject of a closed item could not be discussed publicly. Several speakers raised Keating-related concerns about runoff, public consultation, traffic and buffers, although the chair limited comments on the rezoning itself to avoid creating the appearance of a public hearing. Three speakers described the closure of Just Peachy Child Care’s infant-toddler program: eight spaces were lost, along with care for 12 families and work for four educators. A councillor proposed bringing the operator together with District planning staff and agricultural societies to explore lease, Agricultural Land Commission application or other location options; the transcript records that the proposal carried without opposition.
Agreement
Speakers and council members recognized the local need for infant and toddler childcare and the value of finding a possible path forward for the operator.
The chair allowed comments on process and drainage while restricting debate on the substance of the Keating rezoning at this stage.
Disagreement
A resident pressed for an explanation of who decided to handle a land matter in closed session; the chair declined to identify a decision-maker or discuss the closed-session subject.
Some speakers argued the Keating process had offered too little public engagement and raised concerns about traffic and water pollution; the chair maintained that comments on the rezoning itself were not in order.
10.1 LATE W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society & W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation
parks environment2 public speakers33:19 Watch · Read
A representative speaking for W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation, followed by the manager of the W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society, asked council not to rush the Keating rezoning. They described the downstream wetland restoration, cultural harvesting, and the risk that changes upstream could harm water quality and flow. The speakers said the information shared so far was not detailed enough to assess stormwater risks or how future standards and covenants would be enforced. They called for meaningful dialogue and further information before council decided.
Agreement
The speakers and staff recognized that stormwater effects on downstream lands and waters require attention as the proposal advances.
The Trust Society acknowledged that staff had provided information, while saying it was not yet sufficient to assess the risks.
Disagreement
The W̱SÁNEĆ representatives asked council to pause the rezoning decision until concerns were understood and addressed; the later council discussion included support for advancing the zoning process.
12.1 Corr Salter, S re Delegation Application - September 23, 2026
Council first allowed the correspondent two minutes to speak, then considered the request for a longer delegation. The speaker said he wanted to discuss the District’s process for the Keating rezoning and offer ideas based on his environmental-engineering experience. A councillor supported allowing the delegation that evening; another preferred deferring it because the rezoning was before council. The transcript records that the delegation request carried, with the mayor setting limits against discussing specific development details. The speaker then argued for a fuller public process and for addressing stormwater, infrastructure costs and development charges before proceeding.
Agreement
The council discussion distinguished a process-focused delegation from comments on the specific rezoning details.
The speaker said he was not opposing industrial development, but wanted a process that considered community and environmental effects.
Disagreement
One councillor favoured hearing the delegation that evening; another preferred deferral to avoid wading into the process of a rezoning application before council.
A councillor said a public hearing would benefit community discussion, while council had not yet reversed its earlier direction not to hold one.
Councillors shared updates from external bodies. Reports covered an upcoming local arts studio tour, the Greater Victoria Public Library’s new chief executive and website, library funding advocacy, accessibility standards for sidewalks and curb ramps, and Peninsula recreation facilities. A councillor praised the Centennial Park Multi-Sport Box and argued that recreation supports health and community life; another expressed disappointment that neighbouring municipalities had not supported expanding recreation facilities in Central Saanich.
Agreement
Councillors highlighted the value of accessible public services and recreation facilities to residents.
Disagreement
A councillor criticized the lack of support from Sidney and North Saanich for additional recreation investment in Central Saanich; no response from those municipalities was heard.
14.1 6290 Springlea Road – Development Permit (SSMUH)
The proposal would add a second house with a secondary suite behind the existing home, bringing the property to four homes—the maximum allowed under its zoning. Staff said no variances were needed, existing mature vegetation would remain, and new shrubs and the deck’s placement would help protect neighbours’ privacy. A councillor asked whether neighbours had commented; staff said none were known. Councillors also confirmed that the parking met the one-space-per-unit standard. The transcript records that council authorized the permit and notes staff still had a report on whether these applications could be delegated.
Agreement
Council members noted that the proposal complied with zoning and design requirements and that no variances were requested.
Staff confirmed the four-unit parking requirement was met.
14.2 790 Sea Drive – Development Permit for a Single-Family Dwelling
Staff described a proposed single-family house on a lot created by subdivision in 2026. The lot is just over 300 square metres, and a covenant limits it to two dwelling units. Existing setback variances came from an earlier approval; the new house requires no additional variances. Staff said the design uses window placement, landscaping and some gravel surfaces to protect privacy and limit paved area. The transcript moves on before council’s discussion or outcome is captured.
14.3 Regulation of the DCS Short Term Rentals – Draft OCP and Bylaw Amendments
Staff presented draft Official Community Plan and zoning changes that would generally allow one short-term rental per residential lot, in a principal residence or legally established secondary dwelling. In the Agricultural Land Reserve, the proposal would allow bed-and-breakfast use in a principal residence, subject to provincial rules; self-contained secondary suites could not be used as short-term rentals there. Staff said the next steps would include referrals to neighbouring municipalities, First Nations and other agencies, a public hearing, and work on business licensing and enforcement rules. A councillor moved the recommended first and second readings and referral steps; the transcript records no result before the meeting moved to the next item.
Agreement
Council members welcomed moving the draft rules through referrals and a public hearing process.
Staff said the proposed approach was intended to fit provincial Agricultural Land Reserve rules.
The report covered energy use and emissions from District operations. Staff said fleet electrification and a recent switch to renewable diesel were reducing emissions, with the diesel change expected to cut fuel-related emissions by about one-third. The District may reach its 2030 target if it continues adding lower-carbon options for buildings and vehicles. A councillor asked to discuss the report details with staff after the meeting.
Agreement
Staff and council recognized that continued low-carbon changes to the fleet and buildings would be needed to pursue the 2030 target.
14.5 Municipal Facilities Redevelopment – Recreation Centre Update
Staff laid out the cost and schedule choices for the civic redevelopment at 1882 Hovey Road after Sidney did not consent to the Capital Regional District’s revised loan bylaw. Proceeding without recreation space would require up to $200,000 in design revisions and delay construction drawings by about nine weeks. Retaining 10,000 square feet of community space could add about $9 million and, if debt-funded, about $65 to the average household’s annual property taxes; waiting for the regional funding decision could add roughly six months and about $1 million in escalation. Council instead chose to defer the decision to the incoming council. Staff said a delay of up to 90 days would fit the consultant contract, though remobilization issues could arise.
Agreement
Staff and councillors recognized the community value of recreation space and the significant cost and schedule risks of retaining or waiting for it.
Disagreement
The staff recommendation was to proceed without recreation space; councillors who supported deferral preferred that the incoming council make the choice.
14.6 Contract Award RFP 26-045: Integrated Asset Management, Financial Strategy and Development Financing Services GEI Consultants Canada Ltd.
Staff recommended awarding GEI Consultants Canada Ltd. the asset-management, long-term financial strategy and development-financing work. The presenter described a recommended value of $281,000 within the approved project budget, while the agenda recommendation set a maximum of $310,000 before tax. A councillor asked whether a Canadian firm had submitted a comparable bid; staff said other bids were close and noted that GEI would use a local subcontractor. A councillor moved to defer the award for one week and receive a high-level comparison of the bids; the transcript records that the deferral carried without opposition.
Agreement
Councillors supported the need for the planned asset-management and financing work.
Staff said the work should proceed in time to inform the 2028–2032 financial and capital plan.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned awarding the work to a US-based company when Canadian firms had bid; staff said GEI’s bid was the best evaluated and included a local subcontractor.
Some councillors favoured proceeding on schedule, while the deferral proposal sought more information before the award.
Staff requested early approval to raise the server replacement budget from $180,000 to $350,000 so the District could run a competitive procurement and complete the work before current support and warranty coverage expires in October 2027. Staff said hardware prices and lead times were uncertain, including a sharp increase in memory costs. The transcript records council approving the recommendation without opposition.
The proposed framework sets five service commitments: clear, consistent, timely, accessible and respectful. It also describes steps for reviewing unresolved complaints and allows staff to stop service when behaviour is abusive, intimidating or threatening. Staff said a 2027 community survey would help measure progress, while more consistent district-wide monitoring tools would take time to develop. A councillor asked that the survey baseline material about satisfaction with staff interactions be separated from the framework, and staff agreed. The transcript records council endorsing the framework and directing further public engagement before it returns for adoption.
Agreement
Council and staff supported a consistent, fair approach to customer service and a later public-engagement step.
Staff agreed to separate the baseline survey material about interactions with staff from the framework document.
14.9 C2C Grant Resolution for Application and Amendment
Council considered adding agreement-related costs to the existing 2025/2026 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community-to-Community grant and applying for 2026/2027 funding for forum and agreement work with First Nations. The transcript records the recommendations passing without opposition.
14.10 Election 2026 - Appointment of Elections Officer
Council considered appointing Anna Dunphy as a Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2026 election. The transcript records the appointment passing without opposition.
14.11 Saanich Inlet Protection Society (SIPS) Report Back
Staff proposed up to $25,000 from existing budgets for additional sewer and stormwater investigation. The work would use sampling, video inspection, smoke testing and dye testing to help locate bacteria and possible cross-connections or other pollution sources. Council also discussed sharing the resulting information with the Saanich Lands Trust and speakers concerned about water quality. The transcript records approval of the investigation and the information-sharing addition, without opposition.
Agreement
Council members supported investigating possible pollution sources and making the resulting information available.
Staff explained that existing sampling by Peninsula Streams and the Capital Regional District would supplement the additional testing.
15.1.1 Keating Business District Extraction Lands Rezoning
zoning development6 public speakers2:00:22 Watch · Read
Staff said the lands have been designated for industrial use for decades and presented a proposed transition from extraction to light industrial zoning. The discussion covered traffic access, a potential transit turnaround, larger setbacks near rural properties, and stormwater plans. Staff said the proposed covenant would require the Capital Regional District’s green stormwater infrastructure guidelines and that detailed plans would return through later subdivision and development-permit steps. During an extended committee-of-the-whole discussion, councillors proposed stormwater safeguards, engagement with W̱SÁNEĆ Nations, wider setbacks, a possible prohibition on data centres, fewer or better-coordinated access points, and more buffering along Verling Avenue. The transcript records council advancing first and second reading and referring the committee’s other recommendations to staff for a report at a later council meeting. Whether to hold a public hearing remained an option for a future meeting.
Agreement
The lands have a long-standing industrial designation, and staff and councillors discussed light industrial use as a planned transition from extraction.
Councillors agreed that stormwater, traffic access and buffers needed attention as detailed development plans were prepared.
The committee supported considering conditions for stormwater plans, low-impact measures, downstream effects and meaningful W̱SÁNEĆ engagement.
The transcript records support for advancing first and second reading while having staff report separately on the additional committee recommendations.
Disagreement
A councillor argued that the rezoning should wait for the incoming council because public concerns and engagement were not adequately resolved; the mayor and other councillors argued the long-standing land-use direction justified moving forward.
Some councillors favoured a public hearing; others noted that it had not been planned and that a future council could still decide whether to hold one.
Councillors differed over whether proposed safeguards and setbacks were sufficiently developed to be considered during this meeting.
Two councillors opposed considering data centres as a prohibited use; the transcript records that proposal carrying.
A councillor questioned proceeding without a stronger public process, citing concerns raised by W̱SÁNEĆ representatives and residents.
15.1.2 Road Closure Bylaw 2268, 2026 – Portion of Columbia Avenue Adoption
Council considered adopting the bylaw amendment for the Local Area Service heat-pump financing program. The transcript records adoption without opposition.
16.1.1 Unsightly Premises and Noxious Weeds Bylaw Review
parks environment
The agenda listed a staff report on reviewing the noxious-weeds bylaw, but no discussion of this item is captured in the transcript.
16.2 Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor Riddell - August 25, 2026
Council considered a review of its permissive tax-exemption policy and application process. The proposed review would examine a four-year comprehensive review cycle, a simpler process in the intervening years, and consistent ways to assess applicants’ finances, community benefit and accountability. The transcript records the resolution passing without opposition.
Agreement
The resolution called for a review of the policy and application process before the July 2027 intake.
17.1 Notice of Motion Submitted by Mayor Windsor - September 17, 2026
The mayor’s notice proposed a regional review of Peninsula recreation governance, funding and service delivery, including the costs and use of Greenglade Community Centre and the Central Saanich Multi-Sport Box. The transcript records council removing the item from consideration that evening; no debate on the proposed review is captured.
Decisions
Central Saanich has not published the minutes for this meeting yet. Councils post minutes only after a later meeting adopts them, usually two to six weeks afterwards. We check weekly. We last checked Fri, Oct 2, 2026. Votes and decisions are taken only from the official minutes, so this section fills in once Central Saanich publishes them. Anything above about motions comes from the recording and is preliminary.