Council adopted the final rezoning step for a two-lot subdivision at 8650 Aldous Terrace, and voted to keep its new zoning bylaw moving despite concerns about limited public input and accessible parking. It set an October 1 target for adoption, but several councillors warned that the short schedule could leave too little time for review. Council did not decide whether to approve borrowing for the proposed $9.1-million Central Saanich recreation facility; it asked for a more detailed cost breakdown before returning to the question. Other notable updates included a rise in assaults and threats in North Saanich, a 7% increase in police calls for service, and new Fire Department rules for medical first-responder calls.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council approved the agenda with late additions. It also moved late correspondence about the zoning bylaw update from correspondence to the zoning-bylaw report for discussion.
Routine: approve the meeting agenda with the listed late items and renumber it.
Official wording: That the August 17, 2026, Regular meeting of Council agenda be approved as amended, with inclusion of the late items and further, that the agenda be renumbered accordingly.
Council approved the minutes motion. The transcript refers to a consent resolution for minutes A2 through E, but the recorded motion does not clearly establish that every set of minutes listed in the agenda was adopted.
Routine: approve the minutes of the May 4 and July 13, 27, and 29 meetings listed.
Official wording: That Council:
1. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held May 4, 2026;
2. adopt the minutes of the Regular Committee of the Whole and Regular Council Hybrid Meeting held July 13, 2026;
3. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held July 13, 2026;
4. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held July 27, 2026; and further,
5. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held July 29, 2026.
7(a) H. Hilliard, on behalf of the ArtSea Community Arts Council - 2025 Accomplishments & 2026 Vision
community services1 public speaker16:49 Watch · Read
ArtSea reported 25,000 visits to its Tulista Park gallery, 7,500 visitors to its studio tour and more than 2,000 participants at its lantern festival in 2025. It is planning a March 2027 event called Art of Living, youth and Indigenous artist programs, and more year-round use of the gallery. The presenter said ArtSea received a $12,500 North Saanich grant in 2026, up from $7,000 in 2025, and described funding and staffing as ongoing challenges.
Agreement
Council thanked the presenter for the update and acknowledged the organization’s work.
7(b) Sergeant Wayne Conley, on behalf of the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, verbal presentation - Sidney/North Saanich RCMP Crime Summary Report, 2026 Q2
The RCMP reported that calls for service in North Saanich were up 7% year to date, while property crime was down 21%. Crimes against people rose 32%, and drug-related offences and seizures rose from 3 to 12. Impaired drivers removed from local roads increased 43%. The detachment also reported that its community policing officer would return to that role on September 1, and that North Saanich’s RCMP detachment would stop providing bilingual service on September 30, with Westshore taking on that service.
Agreement
Council thanked the sergeant for the update.
7(c) S. Meikle, Senior Manager, Panorama Recreation, Capital Regional District - Proposed Recreation Facility in Central Saanich
community services1 public speaker41:41 Watch · Read
The presenter outlined a smaller version of the proposed facility at the Central Saanich municipal hall site: about 7,500 square feet, with a weight room, flexible class space and pottery studio. The revised borrowing request is about $9.1 million, down from the earlier $14.2-million proposal. The presenter estimated annual debt servicing at $876,000 across the three municipalities, with the full household tax effect expected only once the facility is completed, likely around 2030. The facility is intended to ease crowding at Panorama and improve access for people in the southern peninsula.
Agreement
The proposal is a shared recreation service involving North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney.
7(d) Petition signed by North Saanich residents regarding ongoing construction noise at 8545 West Saanich Road
Council discussed a petition about prolonged construction noise, including jackhammering at a property on West Saanich Road. Staff said the noise bylaw limits construction hours but does not set decibel limits for construction; the property owner is seeking an amended development permit. Council directed staff to report back and invite the petitioners to present. The debate included whether an in-person presentation was needed, since the petition had already set out the concerns.
Agreement
Councillors agreed the reported noise was a serious concern and that staff should bring information back to Council.
Disagreement
Some councillors wanted the petitioners to present in person; others felt the petition clearly stated their concerns and preferred to hear from residents when the development permit returns.
Invite the residents who signed the petition to speak to Council, and ask staff to report on possible ways to address the construction noise, including whether the issue could be considered when Council reviews the development permit application.
Official wording: That Council:
1. direct staff to invite the petitioners to make a presentation to Council regarding the concerns raised in the petition; and further,
2. direct staff to provide a report to Council outlining any available options or recommendations for addressing the concerns regarding ongoing construction noise at 8545 West Saanich Road, including whether any matters may appropriately be addressed as part of Council's future consideration of the development permit application.
Council adopted the rezoning bylaw, the final step to change the 0.9-acre property from R-2 to R-1 and allow subdivision into two lots. A registered covenant limits the new home’s height, lot coverage and floor area, requires solar-ready and electric-vehicle-ready features and rainwater collection, and requires an accessible-standard secondary suite. The applicant also committed $20,000 to the community.
Agreement
Council supported completing the rezoning after the covenant requirements had been secured.
Change the property at 8650 Aldous Terrace from one single-family residential zone to another so it can be divided into two lots, as shown in the proposed subdivision plan.
Official wording: That Council adopt Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (2011), Amendment Bylaw No. 1581 (2025), attached to Staff Report No. PCS-26-015 as Attachment 7, changing the zoning designation of 8650 Aldous Terrace [Lot 5, Section 2, Range 3 East, North Saanich District, Plan 7058] from R-2 (Single Family Residential 2) to R-1 (Single Family Residential 1), to facilitate subdivision of the subject property into two parcels as detailed on the Proposed Subdivision Plan prepared by Wey Mayenburg Land Surveying Inc, dated June 10, 2019, attached to Staff Report No. PCS-26-015 as Attachment 5.
Council supported North Saanich applying for and administering 2026 Community Resiliency Investment FireSmart funding. Staff said the grant would continue local wildfire-prevention work. In discussion, staff described outreach to help residents choose FireSmart-suitable plants as an alternative to more combustible vegetation.
Agreement
Council unanimously supported the grant application and the District administering the funding.
Support the District applying for the 2026 FireSmart community grant and, if funding is awarded, have the District receive and manage it.
Official wording: That Council provide a resolution indicating support for the Community Resiliency Investment Program (CRI) 2026 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports and that the District of North Saanich receive and administer the grant funding.
Council approved the agreement and response plan governing the Fire Department’s medical first-responder work. The new provincial clinical response model groups calls by urgency: North Saanich will respond to the most urgent purple and red calls, and to orange calls when the expected ambulance delay exceeds 10 minutes. The plan also limits medical first-responder calls to North Saanich; existing regional fire and rescue aid arrangements remain unchanged. Staff said the new dispatch model adds no cost or delay.
Agreement
The new framework formalizes the existing service rather than creating a new one.
Council unanimously approved the agreement and operational plan.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether the new clinical classification step could delay dispatch; staff said the classifications are generated within the existing dispatch process and would not add a delay.
Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the first-responder agreement with BC Emergency Health Services, and approve the Fire Department's initial plan describing its current medical-response service and scope.
Official wording: That Council:
1. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) First Responder Service Agreement (FRSA), attached as Appendix A, on behalf of the District of North Saanich; and further,
2. Approve the North Saanich Fire Department Operational Response Plan (ORP), attached as Appendix B, as the initial Operational Response Plan under the BC Emergency Health Services First Responder Service Agreement, reflecting the Department's current level of medical first responder service and the service scope outlined in Staff Report No. ES-26-003.
The Fire Department reported stable staffing at 35 uniformed firefighters and about 10% fewer emergency callouts by June 30 than expected. FireSmart outreach continued, and three firefighters and a vehicle were deployed to Clinton and Summerland during the provincial emergency, with costs reimbursed by the province. Council also heard that Eagle Ridge Estates had received recognition as North Saanich’s first FireSmart community.
Agreement
Council received the report for information.
A councillor suggested future reports account for the environmental footprint of emergency responses, including fuel and water use.
Council reviewed Infrastructure Services’ mid-year report. Staff said the natural asset inventory was nearing completion. Discussion also covered Wain Park: the gathering shelter cost about $50,000 and its concrete base about $30,000; more trees, paths, picnic-table pads, benches and a water fountain were planned. Staff said the Harvest Hub project remained on budget.
Agreement
Council received the report for information.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned the cost of replacing the former pickleball courts with a gathering area; another defended the work as meeting Council’s direction and said nearby residents welcomed the change.
Planning staff reported on active applications and enforcement. The department was handling six development-variance permits, 10 development permits, six rezoning applications, seven subdivisions and more than 160 property-information requests. Staff also reported 70 bylaw complaints in the first half of 2026, compared with 58 in the second half of 2025, and $12 million in building-permit value. A councillor objected that the report did not explain climate and sustainability effects or measure progress against the Official Community Plan’s framework.
Agreement
Council received the report for information.
Disagreement
One councillor said the report lacked climate and sustainability reporting and measures of progress against the Official Community Plan; the motion to receive it passed 6–1.
Carried 6 to 1311Item 8(a)(vi)1:57:18 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the Planning and Community Services monitoring report for information.
Official wording: That Council receive Staff Report No. PCS-26-018 2026 Quarters 1 & 2 Monitoring Report - Planning and Community Services for information.
The Chief Administrative Officer presented a high-level update on organizational performance, strategic priorities and finances. In response to a councillor’s concerns that reporting tracked activities rather than outcomes, the Chief Administrative Officer said work on the Official Community Plan’s framework and an ISO governance model had been delayed by staffing and workload pressures. Staff hoped to begin related training in November, after the new Council term starts.
Agreement
Council received the report for information.
Disagreement
A councillor wanted reporting to measure policy outcomes and use the Official Community Plan framework; the Chief Administrative Officer said staff capacity had delayed that work.
8(a)(viii) Zoning Bylaw No. 1606 - Update and Direction from Council
zoning development4 public speakers2:02:57 Watch · Read
Staff clarified that proposed changes to the zoning bylaw would be brought to Council for review at second reading, with a redline version and a summary of feedback; staff would not change the bylaw without Council review or public input. The public input period included concerns about undisclosed internal amendments, the lack of consultation with the accessibility advisory committee, and the draft’s accessible-parking rules. Staff said they intended to align parking standards with Sidney and Central Saanich. Council directed staff to keep advancing the bylaw under its current scope and Official Community Plan direction, and added a target of October 1, 2026, for adoption. Some councillors cautioned that the deadline left little time for engagement, including with the accessibility committee, while supporters said the community needed a completed bylaw and clear direction.
Agreement
Council agreed the draft should continue to implement the adopted Official Community Plan.
Staff said proposed amendments and public feedback would come back to Council for consideration.
Disagreement
Some councillors supported an October 1 adoption target; others opposed a deadline they felt could rush public and committee engagement. The amendment and the amended main motion each passed 4–3.
A member of the public wanted the accessible-parking provisions held back until the accessibility committee had reviewed them; staff said they intended to harmonize the standards with neighbouring municipalities.
Carried 4 to 3313Item 8(a)(viii)2:39:15 Watch · Read
Continue preparing the zoning bylaw using its existing scope and the direction in the Official Community Plan, incorporating changes from staff departments and advisory committees, and bring it back to Council for further readings and a decision on adoption.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to continue advancing Zoning Bylaw No. 1606 (2026) based on its current scope and the policy direction established through the OCP, including consideration and integration of amendments arising from internal departmental and advisory committee referrals and bring forward for Council’s consideration of next readings and adoption.
Councillor DiBattista reported on the accessibility committee’s support for working with Sidney and Central Saanich to identify accessible and adaptable homes for the Right Fit housing program. The proposed directions also called for a Wain Park work-plan update and for accessible-parking rules in the zoning bylaw to match those in neighbouring municipalities. A councillor questioned why this provincially mandated committee was meeting while some District advisory committees were suspended; another councillor said the committee was a tri-municipal, provincially mandated body not covered by the suspension.
Agreement
The report and recommendations were supported and carried unanimously.
Disagreement
Councillors differed over whether the accessibility committee’s volunteer members should continue meeting while other advisory committees were suspended.
Receive the accessibility committee report, work with Sidney and Central Saanich on a way to identify accessible and adaptable homes for the Right Fit Program, bring the remaining Wain Park work plan to the committee in September, and align accessible-parking rules in the updated zoning bylaw with those neighbouring communities.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the Council Liaison Report dated July 23, 2026, from Councillor DiBattista regarding the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee for information;
2. direct staff to work in collaboration with the Town of Sidney and District of Central Saanich to develop a process for identifying adaptable and accessible units to share with the Right Fit Program;
3. direct staff to present the remainder of the work plan for Wain Park at the September 24, 2026, Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting; and further,
4. direct staff to harmonize the accessible parking requirements in the updated zoning bylaw with those of the Town of Sidney and District of Central Saanich.
budget finance1 public speaker2:48:48 Watch · Read
Council revisited the proposed borrowing for a smaller recreation facility in Central Saanich. Supporters said the facility could ease crowding at Panorama and offer local weight-room, fitness and pottery space, while one councillor objected that it did not address pool capacity and would add a tax burden. Another councillor wanted a clearer breakdown of the estimated $9.1-million cost before deciding. Council did not decide whether to consent to the loan bylaw; instead, it directed the Peninsula Recreation Commission to return with a more detailed cost breakdown for the next regular meeting. Council also received late correspondence on the matter.
Agreement
Council agreed the proposed facility’s costs needed more explanation before it returned to the consent decision.
Disagreement
Supporters argued the facility would help meet recreation demand and share the cost of a site already being developed; opponents questioned the value, the limited scope and the added tax burden.
Some councillors wanted to vote on consent that night; others wanted the cost breakdown first.
Routine: receive B. Greene's August 12 correspondence for information.
Official wording: That Council receive the late item correspondence pertaining to Item No. 7(a)(viii) and dated August 12, 2026, from B. Greene for information.
Ask the Peninsula Recreation Commission to bring Council a more detailed breakdown of the proposed Central Saanich recreation facility's costs at the September 21 meeting.
Official wording: That Council direct the Peninsula Recreation Commission to bring a more detailed cost breakdown of the proposed Recreation Facility in Central Saanich to present to Council at the Regular meeting scheduled for September 21, 2026.
11(a) Application to Present to Council, submitted by C. Barton, on behalf of the Peninsula Community Pickleball Club (PCPC)
parks environment1 public speaker3:12:58 Watch · Read
The Peninsula Community Pickleball Club sought Council’s support to begin discussions with the Victoria Airport Authority about a possible pickleball facility near Rotary Park. The club said it wanted the leaseholders’ support before preparing a fuller proposal. Council approved a future presentation and directed staff to support the club’s preliminary discussions with the airport authority.
Agreement
Council unanimously approved the club’s request to present and supported preliminary discussions about the site.
Approve the pickleball club's request to present to Council on September 21 and prepare a support letter allowing the club to begin preliminary discussions with the Victoria Airport Authority about its proposed Rotary Park pickleball facility.
Official wording: That Council:
1. approve the Application to Present to Council, submitted by C. Barton, on behalf of the Peninsula Community Pickleball Club; and further,
2. direct staff to schedule a presentation for the September 21, 2026, Regular meeting of Council;
3. direct staff to prepare a letter of support for the Peninsula Community Pickleball Club (PCPC), authorizing the PCPC to enter in preliminary discussions with the Victoria Airport Authority regarding potential opportunities and considerations related to the PCPC's Rotary Park Pickleball Facility Project.
Staff said they had already responded to the resident through the District’s public-service-request process and had shared the concern with the provincial transportation ministry, which is responsible for the roundabout. Council received the correspondence.
Agreement
Council unanimously received the correspondence for information.
Carried, unanimous321Item 11(b)
Routine: receive the correspondence about safety concerns at the McTavish Roundabout for information.
Official wording: That Council receive the correspondence dated July 27, 2026, from S. O'Kelly-Lynch, regarding Safety Concerns with the McTavish Roundabout for information.