Council approved a height variance for a garage addition at 1260 Readings Drive and backed a preferred operator for the Harvest Hub, but left the Hub’s operating costs and a possible $750,000 repayment obligation unresolved. It also advanced a major zoning-bylaw update to public engagement, adding changes on short-term rental occupancy, accessible parking, and waterfront zoning; staff expects engagement to begin in late October or early November. Residents used public participation to criticize the suspension of advisory committees and call for changes to marine zoning, while council announced temporary virtual attendance for staff because of repeated disruptions in the gallery. Council adopted five bylaws and acted on requests concerning youth parliament funding, a floating encampment at Nymph Point Park, and a pedestrian crossing beacon.
Generated from the recording's captions and the agenda (minutes not yet published by the council).
Four people spoke. One resident urged council to remove the M6 waterfront zone, arguing it conflicts with the Official Community Plan’s case-by-case approach to waterfront development and leaves property owners unable to seek approval for small structures. Two residents pressed council to say when advisory committees will return and said their volunteer expertise supports community-based decisions. A fourth speaker read remarks on behalf of two other residents criticizing council’s pay changes, governance decisions, closed meetings, committee suspension, and handling of the Official Community Plan.
Agreement
The speakers who addressed advisory committees said the committees provide useful expertise and should return.
The waterfront zoning speaker said environmental, geotechnical, and other studies should be required of applicants seeking approval.
Disagreement
The waterfront zoning speaker argued that M6 should be removed so proposals can be assessed under the M5 zone and the Official Community Plan; the current bylaw does not allow that case-by-case discussion.
The speaker reading the residents’ remarks criticized council’s compensation and governance decisions and described the provincial review of the Official Community Plan as hostile; these were the speakers’ views, not a council debate.
The mayor introduced Randy Deal, appointed by the province as an independent municipal adviser to support the district through the transition after the October 17 election. Deal said he would first work with administration on communications and organizational challenges, then could support the incoming council with orientation and governance if requested; he will report to the province, and the report will be public. The mayor also announced that staff would attend council meetings virtually as a temporary measure after repeated personal comments, raised voices, and disruptions in the gallery. Council clarified that the spring pause in advisory committee meetings was intended to allow advice on committee terms, member training, and chair training, not to condemn committees or launch a formal investigation. A second report stated that the termination of a named employee had been agreed to unanimously at an in-camera meeting on June 15, 2026.
Agreement
Council said it valued residents who volunteer on advisory committees and intended to use the guidance received to improve how committees work.
Staff will continue to support meetings virtually while meetings remain open to the public.
7(a)(i) Development Variance Permit DVP 2026-04 – 1260 Readings Drive
Council approved a variance allowing one accessory building at 1260 Readings Drive to reach 7.67 metres, rather than the 5.6-metre limit—an increase of 2.07 metres. Staff said steep-slope and riparian protection development-permit areas constrain where the addition can go, and the design avoids removing trees while fitting the neighbourhood. A councillor asked how often similar variances are granted; staff will have to provide that information later. Staff said the variance is needed before the other permit for the work can be issued. Nearby residents had expressed verbal support, and a councillor asked staff to seek written confirmation.
Agreement
Council supported the variance, citing the stepped-back design and its fit with the surrounding area.
Staff said the variance must be approved before the related permit can be issued.
7(a)(ii) Harvest Hub Facility Update & Operator RFP Result
Council approved in principle the Victoria Community Food Society as the Harvest Hub operator and directed staff to interview it, report back, and begin planning a public opening. The consultant said the society scored 83 out of 100 and already works with local farmers, regional food networks, and institutional buyers; its proposal focuses on helping farmers aggregate and sell produce, with services growing in stages. Councillors raised uncertainty about the cost of roughly half a full-time employee plus utilities and maintenance, and one noted that the district’s gift agreement still requires five years of operation and may require repayment of $750,000 if the commitment is not met. Staff said they would work through costs and the proponent’s needs and report back in November. A possible Agricultural Land Commission permit to address the rule that 50% of activity must come from Sandown was also left for early discussion with the operator.
Agreement
Council supported proceeding in principle with the proposed operator and further discussions before a final operating arrangement.
Council members acknowledged the work of staff, the Harvest Hub working group, and the agriculture and food security advisory committee.
Disagreement
Some councillors supported moving ahead but wanted clearer annual cost estimates; another warned that the uncertain taxpayer cost and possible $750,000 repayment obligation could make the arrangement risky.
Councillors differed in emphasis on how the Agricultural Land Commission’s 50% Sandown requirement could limit access for other small farmers; staff said it would discuss options with the operator and report back.
7(a)(iii) North Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 1606 (2026) - Update
zoning development1 public speaker1:07:59 Watch · Read
Council received revised and clean versions of the proposed zoning bylaw, an updated map, and a table describing more than 180 proposed changes. The map identifies 18 properties proposed for rezoning; staff plans to contact those owners directly and expects public engagement, including open houses and online channels, to be ready in late October or early November. Before approving the engagement plan, council directed staff to change three parts of the draft: allow up to two short-term-rental guests per bedroom per visit, add Type A and Type B accessible-parking dimensions and a diagram, and remove the M6 zone so affected properties transition to M5. Staff also agreed to check whether a definition of indoor amenity space had been lost during editing.
Agreement
Councillors praised the tracked-change and clean versions and supported taking the draft to the public for review.
Council supported including open houses and online engagement, with direct notice to owners of the 18 properties proposed for rezoning.
Council unanimously supported the accessible-parking details and diagram and the change from M6 to M5 for public engagement.
Disagreement
Councillors disagreed over the proposed short-term-rental limit of two guests per bedroom: supporters said it was clearer and reflected survey feedback, while opponents raised effects on neighbours or preferred to hear from the public first.
8(a) North Saanich Water Rates and Regulations By-law No. 118 (1971), Amendment Bylaw (2026), No. 1614
Council adopted the water-rates amendment unanimously after a councillor noticed that the bylaw’s opening line referred to increasing the sewer rate. Staff agreed the wording should be corrected before adoption.
Agreement
Council agreed the reference to the sewer rate was an error and should be changed to water.
8(b) North Saanich Sanitary Sewer System Regulation Bylaw No. 1164 (2008), Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 1615
Council adopted the amendment to the municipal ticket information bylaw unanimously. No discussion was recorded.
Agreement
Council adopted the bylaw unanimously.
10(a) Application to Present to Council submitted by R. Hembruff, on behalf of St. John's United Church
community services1 public speaker1:34:36 Watch · Read
A representative of St. John’s United Church briefly approached the microphone but said they did not intend to make the presentation that evening. Council approved the church’s request to present and directed staff to schedule it for the next available regular meeting.
Agreement
Council unanimously approved scheduling the presentation for the next available regular meeting.
10(b) Correspondence dated September 14, 2026, from the Youth Parliament of British Columbia Alumni Society regarding the British Columbia Youth Parliament, 98th Parliament
Council agreed to send information about the British Columbia Youth Parliament’s 98th Parliament to School District 63 high schools and promote it through district communications. It approved $1,090 to support up to two North Saanich students, with a councillor noting the amount may need to rise if current fees exceed the 2025 cost on which the figure was based.
Agreement
Council unanimously supported sharing the program information and funding participation for up to two local students.
10(c) Correspondence dated September 17, 2026, from A. Bishop, regarding an Illegal Floating Encampment at Nymph Point Park
Council directed staff to refer the floating encampment concern at Nymph Point Park to Transport Canada and coordinate with the agency on enforcement. Staff described past removals as difficult because they affect people’s homes and said it would also coordinate with the bylaw officer and neighbouring jurisdictions.
Agreement
Council unanimously supported referring the specific concern to Transport Canada and coordinating on enforcement.
Staff and councillors agreed the issue is recurring and difficult to resolve permanently.
10(d) Correspondence dated September 18, 2026, from H. Holmes, regarding a request to install a pedestrian flashing crossing beacon
Council directed staff to log the request for a pedestrian flashing beacon in its service-request system and review it. Staff said the crossing may involve both North Saanich and Sidney, but did not have the details available at the meeting.
Agreement
Council unanimously supported recording and reviewing the request.
11(a) Correspondence dated September 15, 2026, from P. Perras, regarding Unity as Stability - A Thought Before the 2026 Local Election
Council received the correspondence for information. No discussion was recorded.
Decisions
North Saanich has not published the minutes for this meeting yet. Councils post minutes only after a later meeting adopts them, usually two to six weeks afterwards. We check weekly. We last checked Fri, Oct 2, 2026. Votes and decisions are taken only from the official minutes, so this section fills in once North Saanich publishes them. Anything above about motions comes from the recording and is preliminary.