Council approved a permit for eight townhouses at 903 Admirals Road after a divided public debate over the loss of mature trees and whether the revised landscaping did enough to protect them. Several councillors supported the project because the site is already zoned for townhouses and the permit guidelines appeared to be met, while also calling for stronger tree-protection rules in future. Council received plans for recreation and municipal building upkeep, amended its direction on future infrastructure funding, and ordered an earlier assessment of options for Chafe House. It also approved sidewalk work for $561,519.52 and a $3.62-million Esquimalt Road project, with most of that corridor work expected to be completed by the end of September.
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1 RESOLUTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING PURSUANT TO SECTION 90 OF THE COMMUNITY CHARTER
governance
The official motions list records a resolution to close the meeting to discuss personal information about an identifiable individual. That part of the meeting is not in the transcript. The public meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
Carried, unanimousItem 1
Close the meeting to the public to discuss personal information about a person who holds, or may be appointed to, a municipal position.
Official wording: That pursuant to Section 90 (1) (a) of the Community Charter, the meeting be closed to the general public to discuss personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality.
Council approved the agenda with late emails added for the recreation strategic plan and the 903 Admirals Road development permit. This was a procedural decision.
Routine: adopt the amended May 4 minutes and the June 22 minutes as circulated.
Official wording: That the amended minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on May 4, 2026, and the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on June 22, 2026 be adopted as circulated.
Council adopted an amendment to the bylaw governing development application procedures and fees. The chair noted Council had seen the matter before, and no discussion was recorded.
Council changed the order of business so it could consider the 903 Admirals Road permit before the facilities, sidewalk and road contract reports. The other reports were held over until after that discussion.
A consultant reviewed recreation services at Esquimalt Recreation Centre, Archie Browning Sports Centre and Gorge Park Pavilion. The recreation centre and sports centre are over 50 and 60 years old; their estimated capital maintenance and renewal needs are $8.5 million and $7.7 million over 20 years. The plan found high demand at peak times, especially for swimming, fitness and dry-floor activities, but said the Township is comparatively well supplied with recreation space. It recommends first making better use of existing facilities and partnerships, including with school districts, and improving spaces such as washrooms, change rooms and the underused lacrosse box. Councillors discussed whether to expand facilities, give residents priority for high-demand programs, and how much Esquimalt should provide for people from elsewhere in the region. Staff said the plan would inform future financial and capital planning and be considered in the fall alongside Council’s strategic priorities.
Agreement
The recreation facilities are highly valued and well used, and some peak-time capacity pressures are real.
There are opportunities to improve programs and make better use of existing space before committing to costly major expansions.
The strategic plan should guide future financial planning, capital planning and service delivery.
Disagreement
Some councillors stressed that Esquimalt taxpayers fund facilities used by people across the region and raised the possibility of resident priority for high-demand programs; another cautioned that different fees or access rules could fragment the wider community.
A councillor questioned whether covering the lacrosse box was wise if that site might be needed for a future recreation-centre expansion; the consultant said a site analysis would be needed before construction.
Receive the Recreation Strategic Plan presentation and use the plan’s directions and actions to guide future budget and capital planning, and how recreation services are delivered.
Official wording: That Council receive the Recreation Strategic Plan presentation for information, and direct staff to incorporate the Strategic Plan directions and actions into future financial planning, capital planning, and service delivery frameworks.
zoning development9 public speakers1:34:23 Watch · Read
The application was for a development permit covering eight townhouses on a panhandle lot at 903 Admirals Road. Seven people spoke during public input: supporters cited the need for family-sized homes, the transit-rich location and the revised landscaping; opponents argued that the design still risked too many mature trees and that parking could be reduced to preserve more of them. The applicant’s representative said the revised plan retained 21 trees, added 28, increased permeable surfaces and included a $16,400 contribution to the Township’s tree-planting fund. Staff explained that the zoning was already approved and the permit decision had to turn on whether the design met the applicable permit guidelines; staff said Council could not simply refuse the permit, but could require changes if it found the guidelines were not met. Council approved the permit. Several councillors said the revised landscape plan was an improvement and the site was appropriate for townhouses, while acknowledging the loss of mature trees. They also called for clearer tree-retention policies and better sequencing of tree issues in future applications. Staff agreed to review a prior presentation on possible process improvements and report back to the Chief Administrative Officer; a councillor also asked staff to track where tree-planting contributions are used.
Agreement
The site is already zoned for townhouse development, so the decision concerned the development permit guidelines rather than whether the zoning should change.
The revised landscape plan made improvements, including more permeable surfaces and additional replacement planting.
The loss of mature trees was a significant concern, and councillors identified a need to improve future tree and development policies.
Disagreement
Supporters said the eight homes would meet a shortage of family-oriented housing and fit the surrounding townhouse area; opponents said the footprint and parking plan could be changed to retain more mature trees.
Some councillors concluded the proposal met the current permit guidelines and supported it; other views expressed by the public and reflected in councillors’ concerns questioned whether those guidelines offered adequate protection for the site’s trees.
Approve the design and landscaping for the proposed townhouse development at 903 Admirals Road, as shown in the plans considered by Council.
Official wording: That Council approve the development permit DP000266 authorizing the form and character of the proposed townhouse residential development consistent with the architectural plans provided by Adapt Design Inc and landscape plan provided by Greenspace Designs, to be located at 903 Admirals Road attached as Appendix “A” of staff report DEV-26-030.
A consultant presented a long-term plan for managing Township buildings. The assessed major facilities were generally in good condition, but replacement costs grow sharply over time: for example, the Archie Browning Sports Centre was estimated at $80 million to replace in 2026 and $257 million by its projected 2060 replacement year. The consultants estimated sustainable facilities funding of $1.8 million per year, based on assumptions including 30% equity and 70% debt; they cautioned that long-range estimates carry substantial uncertainty. Council amended the staff direction so it asks staff to continue requesting infrastructure funding through the annual budget process, rather than request an increase. Council also directed staff to prepare an impact assessment for an options analysis of Chafe House before the next Council’s priority-setting workshop. Staff said the temporary fire hall options analysis would take several months and return to Council, with possible uses including recreation, police services, or sale of the building.
Agreement
Regular, proactive maintenance can extend building life and reduce the risk of much larger replacement costs.
Most assessed Township buildings are currently in good condition, but Council needs better long-term planning and updated condition information.
The future of the temporary fire hall and Chafe House needs further analysis before decisions are made.
Disagreement
A councillor viewed resident priority for recreation services as an important longer-term possibility; another emphasized the risks of separating Esquimalt from the wider regional community.
A councillor questioned whether Chafe House could wait six to ten years for a feasibility study; Council instead directed an impact assessment for an options analysis before the next priority-setting workshop.
Carried, unanimousItem 7.2
Change the proposed direction so staff are asked to continue requesting infrastructure funding through the annual budget process, without specifying that they request an increase.
Official wording: That section b) of the main motion be amended to add "continue to" before "request," and strike out "increased".
Receive the facilities plan; have staff continue seeking infrastructure funding through the annual budget, carry out the plan within available funding, explore future uses for the Temporary Fire Hall, and mark the plan’s Council Priority Project status as complete.
Official wording: That Council:
a) receive the Facilities Asset Management Plan for information;
b) direct staff to continue to request infrastructure funding as part of the annual budget process;
c) direct staff to implement the Facilities Asset Management Plan based on available funding;
d) direct staff to explore future uses of the Temporary Fire Hall; and
e) direct staff to update the status of the Facilities Asset Management Plan Council Priority Project to complete;
as described in Staff Report EPW-26-008.
Have staff prepare an impact assessment to support an analysis of future options for Chafe House, before the next Council priority-setting workshop.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to prepare an impact assessment for an options analysis for Chafe House to be completed prior to the next Council's priority setting workshop.
Council awarded a $561,519.52 contract to Sparker Construction Ltd. for sidewalk upgrades on Kinver Street, Heald Avenue and Swinford Street. Staff said the work would complete the top-ranked pedestrian project in the active transportation network plan, providing continuous access from Monroe Street to Bullen Park and the town core. Construction was expected to start within weeks, following a two-to-four-week contract process.
Agreement
The project is a priority for improving continuous pedestrian access to Bullen Park and the town core.
Construction should begin soon after the contract process.
Hire Sparker Construction Ltd. to build the sidewalk upgrades on Kinver, Heald and Swinford streets for $561,519.52, with specified additional work and changes allowed within the approved budget.
Official wording: That Council award a construction contract (ENG #26-02), including provisional items and future change orders within the approved budget, to Sparker Construction Ltd. in the amount of $561,519.52, for Kinver Street, Heald Avenue and Swinford Street Sidewalk Upgrades, as described in Staff Report EPW-26-006.
Council awarded Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. a $3,616,759.80 contract for Phase 2 work on Esquimalt Road. The project will add protected bikeways and renew underground services on sections between Lampson and Fraser and between Admirals and Canteen, while advancing the Township’s second-priority cycling route. Staff said work should start within weeks, with most paving completed by the end of September and remaining work finished by December 15. Staff clarified that the contract cost includes substantial water and other infrastructure work, not just cycling improvements.
Agreement
The project combines transportation improvements with necessary underground infrastructure renewal.
Most corridor paving is intended to be completed by the end of September.
Hire Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. to carry out the Esquimalt Road Phase 2 project, including active-transportation improvements and underground utility renewals, for $3,616,759.80, with specified additional work and changes allowed within the approved budget.
Official wording: That Council award a construction contract (ENG #26-03), including optional and provisional work and future change orders within the approved budget, to Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. in the amount of $3,616,759.80, for Esquimalt Road Phase 2 - Active Transportation Improvements and Underground Utility Renewals project, as described in Staff Report EPW-26-007.
Council gave first, second and third readings to the 2027 parks and recreation fees bylaw. Staff said increases above 10% were market corrections where local fees had fallen behind, and that the goal was to maintain cost recovery rather than generate extra revenue to reduce taxes. Staff noted that an assistance program offers eligible people confidential, unlimited recreation passes. Curling fees are being brought closer to market rates, and prime-time and non-prime-time rates will be combined.
Agreement
Fee increases are intended to keep pace with costs and maintain the Township’s cost-recovery target.
Residents who cannot afford the fees should have access to the confidential assistance program.
Advance the proposed 2027 parks and recreation fees-and-charges changes through the bylaw’s first three readings.
Official wording: That Council give first, second, and third readings to Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3192.