Council approved a large shoreline variance for a deck, sauna and ocean-access stairs at 10972 Madrona Drive, despite two councillors opposing the size of the setback reductions. The most contested debate was a proposal to reduce the number of District officer positions protected by the Officer Bylaw: after residents argued it could weaken oversight, council passed the motion 4–3, with supporters saying staff management belongs with the chief administrative officer and the Official Community Plan would remain under council’s control. Council also approved buying two compact fire pumpers for up to $1.1 million each and advanced several infrastructure and election-administration decisions. A bylaw enforcement bylaw had to be amended and given third reading again after staff found a missing schedule.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
A councillor asked to add a late item about being excluded from a District-sponsored conference and to seek an update on the seniors and loneliness centre. The chair said the request did not fit an item already on the agenda and suggested bringing it forward at a future meeting. Another councillor asked to add two short-term-rental letters; council agreed they would be more appropriately considered at a later meeting. The agenda was approved with the listed late items.
Agreement
The two short-term-rental letters not received through administration could be placed on a later agenda.
Disagreement
The chair did not accept the request to add the conference and seniors-centre concerns as a late item at this meeting.
Routine: approve the meeting agenda with the late items added and renumber the agenda accordingly.
Official wording: That the May 25, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council agenda be approved with the inclusion of the late items and further, that the agenda be renumbered accordingly.
Fourteen members of the public spoke. Topics included the Madrona Drive variance, the proposed Officer Bylaw change, short-term-rental rules, the Official Community Plan and local democracy. Speakers sharply disagreed about whether reducing the number of protected officer positions would weaken council oversight or properly separate elected governance from staff management. The chair and a councillor interrupted some comments about the bylaw, saying they believed statements about its legal effect or the Official Community Plan were inaccurate; the chair invited speakers to send their concerns to staff for a response. Council extended the participation period by 15 minutes so more people could speak.
Agreement
The chair said the Official Community Plan remained subject to council decisions and invited residents to seek further clarification from staff.
Disagreement
Several residents argued the Officer Bylaw change would concentrate power in the chief administrative officer and weaken elected oversight; other residents supported a clearer separation between council’s governing role and staff management.
A resident objected to the scale of the proposed Madrona Drive setback reductions, while the applicants attended in support of their application.
A resident with a jointly owned West Saanich Road property asked council to retain a provincial short-term-rental exemption for certain fractional-ownership properties.
Routine: adopt the minutes of the April 27 and May 4 regular meetings and the two May 11 special meetings.
Official wording: That Council:
1. adopt the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held April 27, 2026; and further,
2. adopt the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held May 4, 2026; and further,
3. adopt the minutes of the Special Council meeting held May 11, 2026; and,
4. adopt the minutes of the Special Council meeting held after the Committee of the Whole May 11, 2026.
7(a)(i) Development Permit with Variances DVP 2025-11 - 10972 Madrona Drive
zoning development3 public speakers47:18 Watch · Read
The application sought permission for ocean-access stairs, a deck and a sauna in the foreshore and steep-slope development permit areas. It required reducing the marine setback from 15 metres to 1.85 metres, the rear setback from 7.6 metres to 1.85 metres, and the side setback from 3 metres to 1.5 metres. Supporters on council pointed to nearby shoreline structures and the fit with the area. A councillor cited the substantial size of the variances and asked about flood-plain compliance; staff could not answer that question at the meeting. Staff said work had begun without permits, a stop-work order was issued, and the deck was removed before the application came to council. Council approved the permit 5–2.
Agreement
The variances were substantial, and the application had been considered by the Community Planning Advisory Committee.
Staff confirmed work had started without the required permits and that the deck was removed before the application was submitted.
Disagreement
Supporters considered the proposal consistent with existing shoreline development and the neighbourhood; opponents said the reductions were too large and could undermine shoreline zoning protections.
Approve the permit for the proposed work at 10972 Madrona Drive, allowing the buildings and structures to be closer to the shoreline and property lines than the zoning rules ordinarily permit.
Official wording: That Council approve issuance of Development Permit with Variances DVP 2025-11 for 10972 Madrona Drive, attached to Staff Report No. PCS-26-012 as Attachment 13, for the purpose of permitting the proposed works and varying the following sections of Zoning Bylaw No. 1255:
• Vary Section 110.3 to reduce the required setback of buildings and structures other than staircases, walkways, and retaining walls from 15.0 metres of the natural boundary of the marine shoreline to 1.85 metres, a variance of 13.15 metres;
• Vary Section 502.2.4(d)(ii) to reduce the required rear yard setback of accessory buildings and structures from 7.6 metres to 1.85 metres, a variance of 5.75 metres; and
• Vary Section 502.2.4(d)(iii) to reduce the required interior side yard setback of accessory buildings and structures from 3.0 metres to 1.5 metres, a variance of 1.5 metres.
Staff said the sale of a large custom fire vehicle took more than 14 months and left the department facing a gap as another vehicle approaches the end of its service life. The proposed plan is to buy two commercial compact pumpers; neither is expected to arrive before 2027. Council authorized the purchases through the Canoe Procurement Group, with a ceiling of $1.1 million per vehicle.
Agreement
Council supported buying two compact pumpers within the stated per-vehicle price limit.
Buy two compact fire engines through the Canoe Procurement Group, with each purchase costing no more than $1.1 million.
Official wording: That council direct staff to proceed with purchase of two “compact” fire pumpers and that the contracts be awarded via the Canoe Procurement Group for a cost not to exceed $1.1 million dollars each.
Council debated changes to the terms of reference for the Community Planning, Agriculture and Food Security, and Healthy Community Living advisory committees. Councillors raised concerns about overlapping mandates, who shapes committee agendas, and the possibility that site visits could put pressure on property owners. Other councillors said committees need flexibility to contribute ideas and that a site visit would require the owner’s permission. Two proposed changes—to remove the site-visit section and to direct staff to refine committee mandates—were defeated 4–3. Council then approved the staff amendments 4–3.
Agreement
Advisory committees provide useful subject-matter input, while council retains authority over decisions.
Entry onto private property for a committee site visit requires the owner’s permission.
Disagreement
Some councillors wanted committees to work only on matters referred to them; others supported flexibility for committees to suggest topics.
Some councillors wanted site visits removed or clarified before they could be used; others saw value in the provision as written.
Defeated 0 to 7184Item 7(a)(iii)1:20:46 Watch · Read
Remove the section about site visits from the terms of reference for every advisory committee.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to remove section 11, Site Visits from all Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
Defeated 0 to 7185Item 7(a)(iii)1:27:21 Watch · Read
Have staff review each advisory committee’s purpose and adjust it so it matches that committee’s expertise and advisory role.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to review and refine the mandates of the Advisory Committees to ensure each mandate aligns with and reflects the specific committee’s area of expertise and advisory role.
Carried 4 to 3186Item 7(a)(iii)1:28:14 Watch · Read
Approve the proposed updates to the terms of reference for the Community Planning, Agriculture and Food Security, and Healthy Community Living advisory committees.
Official wording: That Council approve, for the reasons outlined in Staff Report No. CS-26-017:
1. the proposed amendments to Policy No. COU-150 Community Planning Advisory Committee Terms of Reference;
2. the proposed amendments to Policy No. COU-149 Agriculture and Food Security Advisory Committee Terms of Reference; and,
3. the proposed amendments to Policy No. COU-148 Healthy Community Living Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.
Council considered the mail-ballot procedures bylaw and the related automated vote-counting machines bylaw. Staff had nothing to add to the report. Council approved the readings listed in the recommendation, including third reading of both bylaws.
Agreement
Council unanimously supported advancing the mail-ballot and automated-counting bylaws.
Give the mail-ballot and automated vote-counting bylaws their first, second, and third readings, advancing the rules for using those voting methods.
Official wording: 1. That Council give first and second readings to District of North Saanich Mail Ballot Authorization Procedures Bylaw No. 1603 (2026).
2. That Council give third reading to District of North Saanich Mail Ballot Authorization Procedures Bylaw No. 1603 (2026).
3. That Council give first and second readings to District of North Saanich Automated Counting Machines Authorization Bylaw No. 1607 (2026).
4. That Council give third reading to District of North Saanich Automated Counting Machines Authorization Bylaw No. 1607 (2026).
Staff sought advance authorization for the main construction contract to replace the Chalet Creek culvert beneath West Saanich Road, just south of Tatlow Road. Council had already authorized the overnight emergency work, called Contract A, on May 11; this decision covered Contract B, the main works.
Agreement
Council unanimously pre-authorized the main construction works for the emergency culvert repair.
Authorize staff in advance to award the main construction work for the emergency culvert repair at Chalet Creek and West Saanich Road, up to $800,000.
Official wording: That Council pre-authorize the award of the main works, or Contract ‘B’, for construction services to support the emergency culvert repair at Chalet Creek and West Saanich Road for a total construction price not exceeding $800,000.00, as outlined in Staff Report No. IS-26-008.
Staff described a drainage project addressing a longstanding problem that requires trench-rock excavation. Council awarded the contract to Colecon Contracting Ltd. for $179,960, excluding goods and services tax.
Agreement
Council unanimously approved the $179,960 contract award.
Award Colecon Contracting Ltd. the contract to improve storm drainage on Falkirk Avenue for $179,960, before tax.
Official wording: That Council authorize the award of the Falkirk Avenue Storm Drainage Improvement Contract 2026-03-ENG TDR to Colecon Contracting Ltd at a total tender bid of $179,960 (excluding GST).
Councillor DiBattista reported on the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee, including new members, a new vice-chair and National AccessAbility Week, May 31 to June 6. He also noted that the accessibility group wanted to be included in future discussions about the seniors loneliness centre and age-friendly work. His Peninsula Recreation Commission report noted that the commission aims for an approximate 50–50 balance between property-tax funding and user fees.
Agreement
Council received both liaison reports for information.
Routine: receive Councillor DiBattista’s two liaison reports for information.
Official wording: That Council receive the following items from Councillor DiBattista for information:
1. liaison report dated April 23, 2026, regarding the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee; and,
2. liaison report dated April 28, 2026, regarding the Peninsula Recreation Commission.
The committee supported the proposed Zoning Bylaw No. 1606, opposed prioritizing marine foreshore zoning changes, and supported creating a Tree Bylaw Working Group. Council sent the zoning and foreshore recommendations to staff for consideration. It also addressed creating the working group and its membership, including whether to accept three volunteers rather than the two previously contemplated.
Agreement
Council directed staff to consider the committee’s zoning-bylaw and marine-foreshore recommendations.
Council supported establishing a Tree Bylaw Working Group.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether the proposed working-group members had relevant expertise and whether the committee could appoint three people when an earlier council direction referred to two.
The committee’s feedback on the zoning update included recommending smaller principal homes on Agricultural Land Reserve parcels, secondary residences up to 90 square metres, and taller fences on larger properties. It did not support increasing the proposed occupancy limits in principal and additional homes. A councillor said those recommendations reflected the committee’s discussion of staff’s zoning presentation, not a council decision. Council received the minutes; one councillor opposed receiving them, citing disagreement with one recommendation.
Agreement
The committee’s recommendations were to be treated as advice for staff and council to consider, not as decisions already made by council.
Disagreement
A councillor objected to one of the committee’s recommendations and voted against receiving the minutes; another councillor argued that receiving minutes did not mean endorsing their recommendations.
Carried 6 to 1193Item 7(c)(ii)
Appoint D. Lavender, T. Chow, and K. Thomas to the Tree Bylaw Working Group.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to appoint D. Lavender, T. Chow and K. Thomas to the Tree Bylaw Working Group.
Council received the committee minutes with an amendment noting its selections for the Tree Bylaw Working Group and the quality-of-life and age-friendly work. The committee had supported the zoning update in principle and supported increasing the proposed home occupancy limits. Council received the amended minutes unanimously.
Routine: receive the three advisory committee draft meeting minutes, with the Healthy Community Living minutes amended.
Official wording: That Council receive the following items information:
1. draft minutes of the Community Planning Advisory Committee held May 5, 2026;
2. draft minutes of the Agriculture and Food Security Advisory Committee held May 6, 2026;
3. draft minutes of the Healthy Community Living Advisory Committee held May 7, 2026, as amended.
Council considered three Committee of the Whole directions, including a recreation-facility loan bylaw and a proposed review of recreation services on the Saanich Peninsula. After discussion of Sidney’s vote against the borrowing proposal, council agreed staff should take no action on the recreation-service review direction until June 29. Council then ratified the Committee of the Whole motions as amended.
Agreement
Council agreed to defer staff action on the recreation-service review direction until the June 29 meeting.
Disagreement
Councillors differed on whether to continue the planned recreation-service work after Sidney voted against the proposed facility borrowing.
Confirm the Committee of the Whole recommendations, with staff told to wait until June 29 before acting on the recreation-services proposal. The recommendations endorse the Shoreline Medical Clinic expansion and ask it to explain its $10,000 funding request; defer a recreation-facility borrowing bylaw until after advisory committee input; and ask for a review of Peninsula recreation services, including the costs and benefits of local municipalities managing them instead of the regional district.
Official wording: That Council ratify the following motions from the Regular Committee of the Whole meeting held May 11, 2026, as amended, to include directing staff not to act on 13-Cow until the June 29, 2026, Regular Council Meeting.
11-COW: That Council:
1. formally endorse the Shoreline Medical Clinic Expansion initiative; and,
2. requests that Shoreline Medical present to Council at the next Regular Budget Committee meeting to provide more information regarding a $10,000 funding request; and further,
3. through partnership and governance, appoint a Council Liaison.
12-COW: Defer consideration of Bylaw No. 4761, “Saanich Peninsula Recreation Services (DCS Recreation Facility) Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1, 2026”, to the June 29 Regular Council meeting, after being presented to the June meetings of the Community Planning Advisory Committee, Agriculture and Food Security Advisory Committee, and the Healthy Community Living Advisory Committee for input.
13-COW: That Council:
1. direct staff to write a letter to the CRD to undertake a service delivery review of core recreation services on the Saanich Peninsula including consideration of taking on the management of additional facilities such as the Blue Heron fields at the Memorial Parks Society; and further,
2. review the cost implications and benefits associated with the Peninsula Recreation Commission leaving the Capital Regional District as a service provider, in favour of a local governance model with direct management by the three member municipalities (District of North Saanich, District of Central Saanich and the Town of Sidney).
Staff said a schedule had been omitted when the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw received third reading at an earlier meeting. Council rescinded that reading, amended the bylaw to add Schedule C while excluding subsection (xv), and gave the amended bylaw third reading again. A councillor raised a concern about the screening-officer provisions but supported the motion.
Agreement
Council unanimously approved the correction and renewed third reading of the bylaw.
Disagreement
A councillor remained concerned about the screening-officer provisions, though the councillor voted in favour of third reading.
Add Schedule C to the bylaw, but leave out subsection (xv).
Official wording: That “District of North Saanich Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1589, 2026.” be amended by adding Schedule C, excluding subsection (xv).
Mayor Jones moved to direct staff to draft an amendment limiting District officer positions under the Officer Bylaw to the corporate officer, financial officer and chief administrative officer, with a draft due for a special meeting on May 27. Residents had argued that the change could remove council oversight of senior staff; supporters said council should govern while staff management belongs to the chief administrative officer. The mayor and several councillors said the change would not put the Official Community Plan at risk because council retains authority over it. A councillor opposed the motion and suggested an independent governance review instead. The motion passed 4–3.
Agreement
Council members said council, not staff, retains authority to amend the Official Community Plan.
Several supporters said elected council should focus on governance rather than staff administration.
Disagreement
Opponents argued the existing protections provided a useful check on executive authority and questioned why a bylaw approved in 2023 needed changing.
Supporters argued that the chief administrative officer should be responsible for staff management and that the bylaw change would not change council’s control of policy or the Official Community Plan.
Have staff draft an update to the officer bylaw naming only the Corporate Officer, Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer as District officers, and bring the draft back for Council to consider at a special meeting on May 27.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to prepare an amendment to the Current Officer Bylaw to align it with the strict legislative requirement to establish as officers of the District only the positions of Corporate Officer, Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, and report back to Council with the draft amended bylaw for Council’s consideration at a special meeting on May 27, 2026.
zoning development1 public speaker2:23:35 Watch · Read
Council considered two letters about short-term-rental rules and a late letter that also raised short-term rentals and the zoning bylaw. It agreed to receive the letters and direct staff to include them in further discussions about the zoning bylaw.
Agreement
Council unanimously agreed to receive the correspondence and have staff include it in further zoning-bylaw discussions.
Routine: receive three letters about short-term rental rules for information, and have staff send correspondence to the Planning and Community Services Department about the zoning bylaw.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive for information the correspondence dated May 7, 2026, from B. MacKenzie, correspondence dated May 7, 2026, from N. Siebert and correspondence dated May 19, 2026, from J. Copeland regarding Short Term Rental Regulations for the District of North Saanich; and further,
2. direct staff to submit correspondence to Planning and Community Services Department regarding the Zoning Bylaw 1606, (2026).
Council received the listed correspondence for information, covering forestry, housing density, provincial sales tax, recreation-facility borrowing, the Ombudsperson’s quarterly report, a school district note of appreciation and a housing-targets progress-report extension.
Agreement
Council unanimously received the correspondence for information.