Council adopted new rules for deer fencing, including limits on fence height and materials intended to protect wildlife. It paused a proposed seven-home subdivision at 1073 Colville Road until an engineering report, prepared with the Capital Regional District, examines safety where vehicles cross the busy E&N Trail route. Council also chose a select committee to work on future small-scale housing rules, with members debating whether that process would delay changes residents want. Esquimalt has completed 989 homes against a five-year target of 755, while approving a $943,171 pool dehumidifier contract and naming its new facility the Esquimalt Fire Hall.
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RESOLUTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING PURSUANT TO SECTION 90 OF THE COMMUNITY CHARTER
governance
The official motions list records a carried resolution to close the meeting to the public to discuss specified confidential matters. The transcript does not capture this motion or its result.
Carried, unanimous
Move the meeting out of public view so Council can discuss specified private personnel, labour-relations, and land matters.
Official wording: That pursuant to Section 90 (1) (a), (c), and (e) 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; labour relations or other employee relations; the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
zoning development1 public speaker14:05 Watch · Read
The bylaw allows deer fencing and extensions on residential lots with six or fewer homes. Staff described woven wire mesh openings no larger than 5 by 10 centimetres, a maximum overall height of 2.5 metres, and a ban on sharp or hazardous features above 1.2 metres. One speaker supported the change, saying deer had damaged gardens; council also welcomed rules designed to reduce harm to wildlife. Council gave the bylaw third reading and adopted it.
Agreement
The fencing rules should help residents protect gardens while reducing the risk of deer becoming trapped or injured.
The Advisory Planning Commission had recommended approval without amendments.
Give the proposed deer-fencing rules a third reading as part of the Township’s zoning rules.
Official wording: That Council give third reading to Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3183 to incorporate regulations for Deer Fencing into the Zoning Bylaw.
Make the new deer-fencing rules part of the Township’s zoning rules.
Official wording: That Council adopt Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3183 to incorporate regulations for Deer Fencing into the Zoning Bylaw.
The proposal would split the property into two undersized lots and build seven townhomes: three facing Colville Road and four facing the lane. Supporters valued the added housing, including smaller two-bedroom homes, but residents and councillors raised concerns about driveway crossings on a narrow lane that also carries E&N Trail cyclists and pedestrians. Questions also covered construction access, delivery parking, effects on neighbours’ grades, and whether the approved plans would constrain later changes. Council postponed its decision until the applicant provides an engineering report, in cooperation with the Capital Regional District, on the vehicle-and-bicycle interface and possible safety measures. Staff said the applicant would pay for the report.
Agreement
The proposal could add needed housing, including smaller homes, and its dual-frontage site has particular development potential.
The lane’s shared use by vehicles and E&N Trail users requires careful attention to safety and construction impacts.
Disagreement
Some councillors said they were comfortable with the housing design but wanted safety concerns examined before deciding; other discussion questioned whether the unit count and lane access were appropriate.
The applicant’s representative said the lane access supported the site design and smaller homes; councillors asked whether fewer units or a different layout could avoid driveway crossings there.
Put off deciding on the proposed development at 1073 Colville Road until an engineering report, prepared with the Capital Regional District, examines conflicts between bicycles and cars in the area and possible ways to reduce them.
Official wording: That Council postpone the decision on Development Variance Permit application DVP00187 pending receipt of an engineering report, conducted in cooperation with the Capital Regional District, to look at the potential challenges with the bicycle-car interface and some possible mitigation measures.
The engagement report drew on 13 interviews, an online survey with 413 responses, and a full-day workshop. Trees and green space were the top survey priority, followed by building height and neighbourhood character; participants also raised affordability, privacy, parking, and predictable rules. Council directed staff to prepare for a select committee after the October 2026 election to work through possible bylaw changes. The motion lets the new committee set its own reporting deadlines. Councillors who supported the committee said the technical, legal, and financial questions need careful work; others worried the process could leave residents waiting up to another year for changes and pressed for faster action.
Agreement
Small-scale multi-unit housing is required by provincial law, and participants generally wanted it to fit local conditions better.
Council members agreed that tree protection, housing feasibility, clear processes, and public transparency deserve attention.
Disagreement
Some councillors favoured a select committee to ensure broad input and thorough technical work; others questioned why staff could not begin drafting changes sooner using the engagement findings and examples from other municipalities.
There was concern that committee work could delay improvements, while supporters argued that rushing complex changes risked getting them wrong.
Have staff prepare to set up a select committee after the October 2026 election to work through the technical, legal, and financial details of targeted bylaw changes. The committee would set its own reporting deadlines.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to begin preparations to establish a select Committee following the October 2026 municipal election, to work through the technical, legal and financial details behind targeted bylaw amendments; and that the newly struck Committee establish reporting deadlines.
Esquimalt reported 989 completed homes by the end of year two, exceeding its five-year target of 755. Staff noted that affordable housing was the area where progress lagged. In response to a councillor’s question, staff said 1,962 homes had been completed from 2015 to 2025. Council received the report and authorized its publication and submission to the provincial housing minister; a councillor also asked staff to consider a broader public announcement.
Agreement
Council members welcomed the strong progress against the housing target.
The report should be shared publicly and submitted to the province.
Routine: receive the Township’s second-year housing-target progress report and authorize staff to publish it on the Township website and send it to the provincial minister responsible for housing.
Official wording: That Council:
1. Pursuant to Section 4 (3) (a) of the Housing Supply Act, receive the Year Two Housing Target Progress Report Form attached as Appendix “A” to staff report DEV-26-035;
2. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer or his delegate to, as soon as practicable, publish the report on the Township of Esquimalt’s website; and
3. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer or his delegate to, as soon as practicable, submit the report to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
Council awarded the Esquimalt Recreation Centre pool dehumidifier replacement contract to Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating for $943,171, excluding goods and services tax. It also approved moving up to $117,944 from the garbage bin enclosure project to cover the cost. Staff said the specified equipment had been competitively tested through a request-for-quotation process, and only one of three bids met the requirements.
Hire Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating to replace the recreation centre pool dehumidifier for $943,171 before GST, and move up to $117,944 from the garbage-bin enclosure project budget to help pay for the replacement.
Official wording: That Council award the contract for the Esquimalt Recreation Centre Pool Dehumidifier Replacement to Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating for $943,171 (excluding GST) and reallocate up to $117,944 from the garbage bin enclosure project to the pool dehumidifier replacement project.
Council received an update on the policing framework agreement, which expires on December 31, 2026, and on options including regional policing and a separate Esquimalt police department with shared services. The motion directs staff to include a comprehensive briefing and strategic discussion early in the 2026–2030 council term so the next council can consider future direction. Councillors praised the report as a useful public and council orientation resource. Discussion highlighted persistent concerns about costs and local governance, alongside recent improvements in Victoria Police Department responsiveness and possible regional changes.
Agreement
The report provides useful background for the public and for the incoming council.
The next council should examine the framework agreement, regional opportunities, and alternative policing models.
Disagreement
Councillors acknowledged different views about whether a standalone Esquimalt police department could be justified despite potentially high upfront costs; regionalization was seen as desirable but difficult to achieve.
Receive the policing analysis for information, and schedule an in-depth briefing and discussion early in the next Council term so Council can consider the future of the policing agreement, regional policing options, and other policing models.
Official wording: That Council receive Staff Report No. SI-26-016 “Update on Policing Services and Policing Models Analysis” for information and direct staff to include a comprehensive orientation and strategic discussion about policing early in the 2026-2030 term of Council, enabling decision making on future strategic direction for the Framework Agreement, regionalization opportunities, and exploration of alternative policing models.
With the police component removed from the building project, staff recommended a clear public name reflecting the facility’s main role as the home of Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services. Council chose Esquimalt Fire Hall. The mayor asked about using Lekwungen language; staff said Indigenous artwork and possible Indigenous wayfinding would be included, while the main name needed to be simple for public directions and emergency communications.
Agreement
“Fire Hall” was seen as familiar, clear language for the public.
The building’s Indigenous artwork and wayfinding can add recognition beyond its official name.
Council gave first, second, and third readings to the 2026 Council Remuneration Bylaw. A councillor said the vote put into bylaw the remuneration discussion held at the previous meeting.
Council ratified resolutions from the July 13 Committee of the Whole meeting, including the Gatherwell Sauna Pilot Program partnership proposal for Esquimalt Gorge Park. Members said the proposal had already received a thorough discussion at that meeting.
Ratify the committee’s decisions to run a one-year mobile sauna trial at Esquimalt Gorge Park and discuss possible subsidies for lower-income residents; ask staff to bring Council options for using annual and accumulated surpluses, including possible reserves and capital transfers; and approve the debt management policy.
Official wording: That the following resolutions from the July 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting be ratified:
1. Gatherwell Sauna Pilot Program – Partnership Proposal for Esquimalt Gorge Park Staff Report No: P&R-26-008
That Council direct staff to enter into a one-year trial agreement with Gatherwell for mobile sauna operations at Esquimalt Gorge Park and upon completion of the trial, return to Council for further direction; and
That Council direct staff to discuss with Gatherwell the possibility of providing subsidy for lower income residents, such as through the L.I.F.E. pass program.
2. Reserve Funds and Surplus, Staff Report FIN-26-015
That Council direct staff to provide potential options for annual and accumulated surplus amounts, including the creation of financial sustainability reserves and transfers to capital reserves, for Council ’s consideration.
3. Debt Analysis, Staff Report No. FIN-26-014
That Council approve the Debt Management Policy FIN-25 as attached to Staff Report FIN-26-014.