Council approved the next steps on a broad package of tax, utility, road and soil bylaws, and awarded a $114,990 asphalt repair contract. The most contested discussion was the zoning bylaw update: residents and councillors raised concerns about limited notice, waterfront rules and the scale of proposed changes, but Council voted to receive the report and plan community engagement rather than advance the bylaw that night. Council also heard prolonged complaints about jackhammering near West Saanich Road and asked staff to report on possible remedies while a wider noise bylaw review is underway. In a late public report, Council disclosed that it had ended an investigation into a complaint against the chief administrative officer and said related concerns would be considered in a separate investigation that remains underway.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
A councillor questioned whether the recreation-facility loan bylaw should remain on the agenda after Sidney voted it down; the chair said Council could later move to withdraw it. The agenda was approved with the listed late items.
Agreement
Council agreed to approve the agenda with the late items.
Routine: approve the meeting agenda with the late items added and renumber the agenda.
Official wording: That the September 21, 2026, Regular meeting of Council agenda be approved with the inclusion of the late items, and further, that the agenda be renumbered accordingly.
Sixteen members of the public spoke on parks and drought, horse access at Patricia Bay Park, the suspension of volunteer advisory committees, storm flooding, housing choices for families, waterfront zoning, school-route safety and construction noise. A resident described a 2024 creek flood that damaged seven properties and cost residents about $500,000 to remediate; another asked for a safe walking path on Clayton Road. Several speakers criticized the handling of the zoning update and the absence of marine zoning changes. Council extended the public input period by 15 minutes.
Disagreement
Speakers disagreed with the district's horse restrictions at Patricia Bay Park and with how the advisory-committee suspensions had been handled.
Waterfront residents argued that the zoning update left out changes they had worked on with the district; staff later said marine zoning needed more study.
Residents described long-running jackhammer noise as harmful and unreasonable; the district had not yet presented its planned noise bylaw changes.
Routine: adopt the minutes of the August 17 special and regular Council meetings.
Official wording: That Council:
1. adopt the minutes of the Special meeting of Council held August 17, 2026; and further,
2. adopt the minutes of the Regular meeting of Council held August 17, 2026.
Staff presented the 2027 tax-exemption applications, including a late application from the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Staff said the applicants were the same group as the previous year, had been reviewed for eligibility, and that two exemptions were statutory and did not require a Council decision. The bylaw must be filed by October 31.
Agreement
Council supported the staff recommendation and the tax-exemption bylaw readings.
Receive the staff report about next year's permissive property tax exemptions, then advance the proposed exemption bylaw through its first, second and third readings.
Official wording: 1. That Council receive Staff Report No. FIN-26-020 Permissive Property Tax Exemption for 2027 for information.
2. That Council give first and second readings to North Saanich Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1613 (2026) as outlined in Staff Report No. FIN-26-020.
3. That Council give third reading to North Saanich Exemption from Taxation Bylaw No. 1613 (2026) as outlined in Staff Report No. FIN-26-020.
7(a)(ii) Amendment to the North Saanich Water Rates & Regulation Bylaw No.118 (1971) and Amendment to the North Saanich Sanitary Sewer System Regulation Bylaw No. 1164 (2008)
Staff described the water-rate and sanitary-sewer bylaw changes as administrative updates arising from a review of financial procedures. Council had no questions and approved the readings recommended by staff.
Receive the report on proposed water-rate and sewer-rule changes, then advance both amendment bylaws through their first, second and third readings.
Official wording: 1. That Council receive Staff Report No. FIN-26-019 Amendment to the North Saanich Water Rates & Regulation Bylaw No.118 (1971) and Amendment to the North Saanich Sanitary Sewer System Regulation Bylaw No. 1164 (2008) for information.
2. That Council give first and second readings to the the North Saanich Water Rates and Regulation Bylaw No. 118(1971) Amendment By-law No. 1614(2026), as outlined in Staff Report No. FIN-26-019.
3. That Council give first and second readings to the North Saanich Sanitary Sewer System Regulation Bylaw No. 1164(2008) Amendment By-law No. 1615(2026), as outlined in Staff Report No. FIN-26-019.
4. That Council give third reading to the North Saanich Water Rates and Regulation Bylaw No. 118(1971) Amendment By-law No. 1614(2026).
5. That Council give third reading to the North Saanich Sanitary Sewer System Regulation Bylaw No. 1164 (2008) Amendment By-law No. 1615(2026).
Staff recommended spot asphalt repairs in the Deep Cove area, based on a recent pavement-condition assessment. Council authorized Island Asphalt to do the work for $114,990, excluding goods and services tax.
Hire Island Asphalt to repair sections of West Saanich and Downey roads for $114,990, before tax.
Official wording: That Council receive Staff Report No. IS-26-015 and authorize the award for construction services to perform asphalt repair on sections of West Saanich Road and Downey Road to Island Asphalt for a construction cost of $114,990.00 (excluding GST).
The updated soil and fill bylaw is intended to regulate material transfers, protect municipal infrastructure and set soil-quality requirements. A councillor asked whether contaminated soil and soil moved during housing construction would be covered. Staff said ordinary house excavation, septic fields and swimming pools are exempt from this bylaw, while contaminated soil is governed by provincial rules and typically needs a manifest describing the material. Agricultural Land Reserve fill has separate requirements. Council approved the readings of both the soil bylaw and the related ticketing bylaw amendment.
Agreement
Council agreed the new bylaw should set rules for material transfers and protect infrastructure.
Staff clarified that contaminated soil remains subject to provincial requirements.
Receive the report, then advance the proposed rules for soil removal and fill deposits and the related ticketing changes through their readings.
Official wording: 1. That Council receive Staff Report No. IS-26-010 Soil Removal and Fill Deposit Bylaw and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, for information.
2. That Council give first and second readings to "District of North Saanich Soil Removal and Deposit Bylaw, No. 1580, 2026".
3. That That Council give third reading to "District of North Saanich Soil Removal and Deposit Bylaw, No. 1580, 2026"
4. That Council give first and second reading to the "District of North Saanich Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (2022), Amendment Bylaw No. 1610 (2026)".
5. That Council give third reading to "District of North Saanich Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (2022), Amendment Bylaw No. 1610 (2026)".
The resurfacing work, coordinated with Sidney, was expected to take one night. Council allowed a window from September 24 to October 2 for a full overnight closure and paving from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on McDonald Park Road, between Fire Lane No. 3 and Mills Road. A councillor asked whether nearby homes would be notified; staff said notices had gone to affected properties and businesses and agreed to check on the nearby farm residence.
Agreement
Council supported a one-night work window to allow the paving to proceed.
Allow an overnight full closure and paving on McDonald Park Road between Fire Lane #3 and Mills Road during the specified September 24–October 2 work window, without enforcing the District's noise rules for that work.
Official wording: That Council waive enforcement provisions of District of North Saanich Noise Bylaw No. 1383 (2015) from Thursday, September 24th to Friday, October 2nd, 2026 to allow a window for a one night of full road closure and paving during 6 pm to 6 am on McDonald Park Road between Fire Lane #3 and Mills Road.
Council approved closing Municipal Hall, Public Works and Utilities to the public at 2 p.m. on December 24, 2026, and reopening at 8 a.m. on January 4, 2027. The vote was 6–1; the transcript does not identify the councillor who opposed it.
Agreement
Six councillors supported the holiday closure.
Disagreement
One councillor opposed the closure; the reason was not stated.
Close Municipal Hall, Public Works and Utilities services to the public from the afternoon of December 24 until the morning of January 4.
Official wording: That Council approve the closure of Municipal Hall, Public Works, and Utilities operations to the public commencing at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2026, and re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2027, as outlined in Staff Report No. CS-26-036.
zoning development4 public speakers1:06:03 Watch · Read
Staff explained that a detailed review had produced 122 proposed changes, including changes to definitions, accessible parking, guest cottages, carriage houses, shipping containers and marine zones. The complete tracked version, a clean version, an updated zoning map and a fuller change table were due at the September 28 meeting. Staff said they would not recommend second reading then, but instead propose community engagement sessions. Councillors and public speakers raised concerns about the late addition of the report, the amount of time residents had to review it, possible housing mandates and the omission of waterfront zoning changes. Staff said marine and foreshore rules needed more study and could be considered for a 2027 work plan; Council could direct staff to include them sooner. A councillor also asked for information about possible effects on building area, impermeable surfaces and tree canopy.
Agreement
Council and staff agreed residents should have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed changes.
Staff committed to providing tracked changes and supporting documents for the September 28 meeting and making materials available online.
Disagreement
Some councillors wanted more time and clearer evidence of the changes and their effects before moving the bylaw forward; others supported the planned next step of public engagement.
Waterfront residents wanted marine zoning changes included now, while staff said those rules required further study.
Carried 6 to 1336Item 7(a)(vii)1:33:00 Watch · Read
Receive the zoning bylaw update and have staff prepare community engagement sessions after the report returns to Council at its September 28 meeting.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive Staff Report No. PCS-26-020 North Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 1606 (2026) Update, for information; and,
2. direct staff to proceed with establishing community engagement sessions following the report's return to Council at the September 28, 202, Regular Council meeting.
Councillor DiBattista reported that the Peninsula Recreation Commission's initial 2027 budget kept requisition revenue close to a 50/50 split: 49.2% requisition and 50.8% revenue. The commission also discussed accessibility improvements at both arenas and had retained an architecture firm to explore options.
Routine: receive the Council liaison report about the Peninsula Recreation Commission for information.
Official wording: That the Council Liaison Report dated August 27, 2026, from Councillor DiBattista, regarding the Peninsula Recreation Commission be received for information.
The chair said Sidney had voted against the loan bylaw and that approval by all three municipalities was required, so the proposal could no longer proceed. Council withdrew it from the agenda. The chair said Central Saanich may also have voted against it, but that had not been verified.
Agreement
Council agreed to withdraw the bylaw after Sidney's vote meant the required approval from all three municipalities could not be obtained.
Remove the proposed recreation-facility loan authorization bylaw from the meeting agenda.
Official wording: That Council withdraw Bylaw No. 4782, "Saanich Peninsula Recreation Services (DCS Recreation Facility) Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2, 2026" from the agenda.
10(a) Correspondence dated August 14, 2026, from C. Venter regarding ongoing construction noise at 8545 West Sananich Road
public safety3 public speakers1:35:35 Watch · Read
Residents described years of construction activity and months of near-daily jackhammering, including occasional weekend and holiday work. Council asked staff to report on possible measures, including conditions on the development permit and other municipalities' approaches. Staff said a noise bylaw amendment is being prepared that would limit this type of work to weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the report was delayed because related ticketing bylaws also need amendment. Staff said complaints can be filed and will be investigated, and would check whether work on Sundays is prohibited and whether a time limit can be put on the jackhammering.
Agreement
Council supported receiving the correspondence and asking staff to report on available options.
Staff said the noise bylaw review would address high-impact construction noise.
Disagreement
Residents said the noise was prolonged and harmful; staff noted that construction may be lawful when it complies with existing bylaws and that the work was expected to finish soon.
Receive the letter about construction noise at 8545 West Saanich Road and ask staff to return with possible options.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated August 19, 2026, from C. Venter regarding ongoing construction noise at 8545 West Saanich Road; and further,
2. direct staff to report back to Council with options.
10(b) Correspondence dated August 19, 2026, from H. Kavanagh, regarding Patricia Bay Park signage and equestrian access
parks environment2 public speakers1:42:59 Watch · Read
The correspondence concerned a sign at Patricia Bay Park barring horses from the beach from May 1 to September 30. After public speakers challenged the rule and the district's authority over the beach, Council referred the letter to bylaw enforcement staff to check whether the sign complies with the bylaw.
Agreement
Council supported having staff review whether the sign conflicts with the bylaw.
Disagreement
Public speakers opposed the seasonal restriction on horses and questioned whether the district had authority to regulate the beach.
Receive the letter about signs and horse access at Patricia Bay Park and send it to the Bylaw Department to review.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated August 19, 2026, from H. Kavanagh, regarding Patricia Bay Park signage and equestrian access; and further,
2. direct staff to forward the correspondence to the Bylaw Department for review.
Council referred the company's request about in-ground swimming pools to staff for consideration in the zoning bylaw update. Staff clarified that referral would not guarantee the change would be included; they would consider it and report back.
Agreement
Council agreed the request should be considered as part of the zoning bylaw work.
Disagreement
One councillor opposed the referral; no reason was stated.
Receive Philco Construction's letter about in-ground pools and send it to the Planning Department to consider as part of the zoning bylaw update.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated August 19, 2026, from Philco Construction Ltd. regarding in-ground swimming pools and the Zoning Bylaw Update; and further,
2. direct staff forward this correspondence to the Planning Department for consideration in the Zoning Bylaw Update.
Receive the letter about short-term rentals and include it in the material staff considers on short-term rentals.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated September 1, 2026, from J. Langer regarding Short Term Rentals and the Zoning Bylaw Update; and further,
2. direct staff to include this correspondence in matters related to short-term rentals.
Allow Scouts Canada–Greater Victoria to hold its Apple Day fundraiser in North Saanich on October 3 and/or 4, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Official wording: That Council authorize Scouts Canada-Greater Victoria to proceed with their 2026 Apple Day Fundraiser scheduled for Saturday and/or Sunday, October 3 and 4, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in North Saanich, as outlined in the correspondence dated September 3, 2026, from Scouts Canada-Greater Victoria.
Receive the letter about noise at Braemar Beach and have staff reply to the writer.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated September 10, 2026, from L. Dradner, regarding noise concerns at Braemar Beach; and further,
2. direct staff to respond to the correspondent.
10(g) Correspondence dated September 12, 2026, from T. McKay, regarding the creation of a Safe Walking Path on Clayton Road
transportation1 public speaker1:47:47 Watch · Read
The letter proposed a path on the south side of Clayton Road between Heather Road and the school. Its author told Council that children currently have to walk in the road alongside vehicles and asked for an on-site review and a feasibility report for the 2027 budget. Council directed staff to consider the letter in the active transportation plan.
Agreement
Council supported referring the request to staff for consideration in the active transportation plan.
Receive the letter asking for a safe walking path on Clayton Road and have staff consider it in the active transportation plan.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the correspondence dated September 12, 2026, from T. McKay, regarding the creation of a Safe Walking Path on Clayton Road; and further,
2. direct staff to refer this letter for consideration in their active transportation plan.
10(h) Correspondence dated September 13, 2026, from R. Alexander, regarding Resignation as Chair and member of the Community Planning Advisory Committee
The former committee chair's resignation followed about six years of volunteer service. In public input, the former chair, another advisory committee chair and other speakers criticized the district's handling of the committee suspensions and called for clarity about the investigation and Council's votes. Councillors thanked the departing volunteer for his service. Council received the resignation letter; it did not debate or resolve the wider complaints during this item.
Agreement
Councillors publicly thanked the former chair for his volunteer service.
Disagreement
Public speakers criticized the length and transparency of the committee review; Council did not address those criticisms through this correspondence motion.
Receive R. Alexander's letter resigning as chair and member of the Community Planning Advisory Committee.
Official wording: That Council receive the correspondence dated September 13, 2026, from R. Alexander, regarding Resignation as Chair and member of the Community Planning Advisory Committee.
Council released two outcomes from its closed meeting. It said a former employee's employment had ended on June 22, 2026, that the former employee had been given reasons under the employment agreement and had received severance under that agreement. Council also said it had discontinued an investigation into a complaint against the chief administrative officer after considering information from several sources. The district said concerns about how the complaint was filed, and about the conduct of some councillors, would be considered in a separate independent investigation that is still underway.