Council backed a site-specific cannabis store at 2579 Cadboro Bay Road and approved four homes at 2560 Dorset Road, despite concerns that the latter would set a precedent in the Uplands. The sharpest debate was over gas-powered garden equipment: Council moved the issue into its climate-action planning and approved an electric-equipment education event, but rejected a request for a plan and timeline to phase out the District’s own gas equipment. At 960 Foul Bay Road, Council sent a revised 23-home heritage project back for more work on accessibility and the impact of building massing on the west-side neighbours; a proposed reduction from 15 to 12 townhouses failed. Council also approved the 2025 annual report, with staff to check population figures and consider adding new measures in future reports.
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What was discussed
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4.1 Special Parks, Recreation, and Culture Committee - April 15, 2026
Three members of the public spoke on general community matters. A representative of the Uplands Neighbourhood Association asked when Council might respond to its proposals for allowing more housing while protecting the neighbourhood’s park-like character; the Mayor said Council had received the paper and would be interested in discussing next steps. An Upper Henderson resident raised concerns about impacts from development under provincial housing rules, and the Mayor said staff were reviewing possible bylaw changes. A Saanich resident asked the District to request the source report behind a South Island Prosperity Partnership claim of a $9,320 return on investment.
Agreement
The Mayor said Council had received the Uplands Neighbourhood Association’s paper and was interested in discussing possible next steps.
The Mayor said staff were already looking at potential bylaw updates related to small-scale multi-unit housing.
7.1 Review of Phasing out of Gas Powered Garden Equipment
parks environment2 public speakers19:25 Watch · Read
Staff said the 2022 phase-out resolution had stalled over questions about municipal authority and staff capacity, and that emissions from garden equipment were relatively small compared with driving and heating buildings. Council agreed to assess the issue through the Community Climate Action Plan, publish information on switching to electric equipment, and remove the old resolution from the outstanding list. Councillor Smart added an educational event for residents and garden-service providers. She also proposed a separate plan for phasing out District-owned equipment, but that motion failed. Supporters of faster action pointed to noise, health and environmental concerns and the time that had passed since the original resolution. Others said staff should focus limited resources on higher-impact climate work and that equipment changes depend on suitable products and charging facilities.
Agreement
Council supported assessing the issue alongside other climate actions, with attention to impact, cost and staff capacity.
Council unanimously supported adding an educational event where residents and garden-service providers could share experience with electric equipment.
Councillors and public speakers recognized noise from leaf blowers as a concern, distinct from the greenhouse-gas impact of garden equipment overall.
Disagreement
Councillor Appleton opposed the staff approach, arguing Council should assess incentives and targeted noise-bylaw changes; the other councillors who spoke in the debate supported the staff recommendation.
Councillor Smart and Councillor Appleton supported a plan for phasing out District-owned gas equipment. Other councillors opposed it, citing staff workload, the need for supporting facilities and the ongoing review of equipment at each purchase.
A public speaker argued Council had failed to act on its 2022 commitment; staff and some councillors said the original resolution faced legal and capacity constraints not fully understood at the time.
Ask staff to give priority to studying whether to phase out gas-powered garden equipment on residential properties as part of the Community Climate Action Plan.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to:
1. Consider and prioritize further assessment of a regulatory phase out of gas-powered garden equipment on residential properties as part of the Community Climate Action Plan (Council Priority Project #35);
Add an educational event to the proposed information campaign, where garden service providers and residents who have switched to electric equipment can share what they know with others.
Official wording: That the motion be amended to include :
That Council direct staff to:
2. Develop additional communications and educational materials about the benefits of switching from gas-powered to electric garden equipment and make this information available on the District’s website including, utilizing the Coolkit program event framework to host an educational event, inviting garden service providers and residents who have switched to electric garden care equipment to share their knowledge with other residents and garden care providers.
Have staff prepare information on the benefits of electric garden equipment for the District’s website and hold an educational event for residents and garden service providers to share their experience.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to:
2. Develop additional communications and educational materials about the benefits of switching from gas-powered to electric garden equipment and make this information available on the District’s website including, utilizing the Coolkit program event framework to host an educational event, inviting garden service providers and residents who have switched to electric garden care equipment to share their knowledge with other residents and garden care providers.
Council approved the District’s 2025 annual report. Staff flagged a missing word in the accessibility and inclusion section and agreed to correct it online. They will check the population figures and their source, and add an active-transportation measure in next year’s report as network projects reach completion. A public speaker asked for better tracking of outstanding resolutions, emergency declarations, archaeological costs, recreation cost recovery and freedom-of-information costs. Staff said some suggestions could be considered, noted that recreation cost recovery varies by service, and said they track staff time spent on information requests.
Agreement
Councillors praised the report and staff’s progress on the previous year’s goals.
Staff agreed to check the population figures and consider the requested reporting improvements.
Disagreement
A councillor criticized the low rate of sidewalk replacement, noting that residents had identified sidewalks as a priority and that 31% of survey respondents were dissatisfied.
8.1 2579 Cadboro Bay Road: Zoning Bylaw Amendment (ZON00069)
zoning development1 public speaker1:24:32 Watch · Read
The application would allow a cannabis store in the existing Liquor Plus space at the Cadboro Bay Road and Estevan Avenue commercial node. The proposed change would not alter the building’s size or layout; it would involve interior work and a new sign. Council asked about the store’s distance from Willows Elementary, the visibility of the shopfront, security cameras and whether customers could consume cannabis on site. Staff estimated about 160 metres from the property to the school by lot-line measurement, while the walking route is over a kilometre. The applicant said cameras are required for in-store security, the storefront would be visible from the street, and the business does not plan home delivery. Council directed staff to proceed and waive a public hearing.
Agreement
Councillors who spoke viewed this as a decision about the suitability of a regulated retail use at this existing commercial site, not about whether cannabis is legal.
Council accepted the staff case that the proposal fits the commercial area and would reuse an existing storefront.
Disagreement
A councillor raised concern about the school’s proximity; others who spoke considered the site and its existing retail use acceptable.
Let staff move ahead with the zoning change application for 2579 Cadboro Bay Road without holding a public hearing.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to proceed with Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application (ZON00069) for the property located at 2579 Cadboro Bay Road and waive the requirement to hold a Public Hearing.
The revised proposal would retain and restore the Lawson residence and add 15 townhouses, with two optional studio suites in a new duplex. The applicant said the revision lowers parts of the townhouse roofs by one metre, moves some buildings farther from the heritage house, cuts impermeable surfaces from 72% to 49%, adds shared outdoor spaces and provides infrastructure for future accessibility lifts. Council sent the application back for more work: the main entrance to the Lawson residence should have an accessible lift and doorway in place when the project is complete, and staff should work with the applicant to reduce the impact of building massing along the west side. A proposal to reduce the townhouse count from 15 to 12 was defeated. Council supported sending the revised work back for preparation of bylaws, which would return for further consideration and, if advanced, a public hearing. Debate centred on whether the changes were enough to protect neighbouring homes and the heritage house, and whether the housing and heritage benefits justified the scale.
Agreement
Councillors recognized the value of retaining the Lawson residence and adding housing, while acknowledging the project involved trade-offs.
Council agreed on the need for better accessibility at the heritage house’s main entrance and further attention to the west-side massing.
The motion to send the application back for further work carried; the next stage is for staff and the applicant to prepare revised bylaws for Council.
Disagreement
Councillors Braithwaite and Green opposed advancing the application, saying the changes did not sufficiently address scale, neighbourhood fit, heritage prominence and the recently adopted Official Community Plan.
Other councillors supported another revision round, arguing that the proposal offered needed housing and heritage preservation and should proceed to a public hearing after further work.
A motion to seek a reduction from 15 to 12 townhouses failed; some councillors preferred to focus on reducing the impact of massing rather than prescribing a unit count.
Send the 960 Foul Bay Road applications back to staff and the applicant to add an accessible automatic entrance door and lift to the Lawson Residence renovation. If the revisions satisfy the Director, staff would prepare the required bylaws and permit.
Official wording: That the motion be amended to include :
1. That Council refer the applications for Official Community Plan Amendment (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA00016) and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road back to staff to work with the applicant to address the following revisions:
a. Inclusion of an accessible automated front entrance door and lift upon completion of the renovation to the Lawson Residence.
2. That subject to the completion of the revisions to the applications to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Building and Planning, Council direct staff to prepare the necessary Bylaws for Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (HRA00016), a Heritage Designation Bylaw and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road.
Also require staff and the applicant to reduce the effect of Buildings C and E’s west-side massing on neighbouring properties. If the revisions satisfy the Director, staff would prepare the required bylaws and permit.
Official wording: That the motion be amended to include :
1. That Council refer the applications for Official Community Plan Amendment (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA00016) and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road back to staff to work with the applicant to address the following revisions:
a. Inclusion of an accessible automated front entrance door and lift upon completion of the renovation to the Lawson Residence.
b. Reduction to the impact of the west side massing of Buildings C and E to neighbouring properties.
2. That subject to the completion of the revisions to the applications to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Building and Planning, Council direct staff to prepare the necessary Bylaws for Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (HRA00016), a Heritage Designation Bylaw and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road.
Add a requirement to reduce the proposed townhouse count from 15 to 12, alongside the accessible entrance and lift and the changes to the west-side massing. If the revisions satisfy the Director, staff would prepare the required bylaws and permit.
Official wording: That the motion be amended to include :
1. That Council refer the applications for Official Community Plan Amendment (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA00016) and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road back to staff to work with the applicant to address the following revisions:
a. Inclusion of an accessible automated front entrance door and lift upon completion of the renovation to the Lawson Residence.
b. Reduction to the impact of the west side massing of Buildings C and E to neighbouring properties.
c. Reduction of the number of townhouses from 15 to 12.
2. That subject to the completion of the revisions to the applications to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Building and Planning, Council direct staff to prepare the necessary Bylaws for Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (HRA00016), a Heritage Designation Bylaw and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road.
Send the 960 Foul Bay Road applications back to staff and the applicant to provide an accessible automatic entrance door and lift at the Lawson Residence and reduce the effect of Buildings C and E’s west-side massing on neighbours. If the Director is satisfied with those revisions, staff would prepare the required bylaws and permit.
Official wording: 1. That Council refer the applications for Official Community Plan Amendment (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA00016) and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road back to staff to work with the applicant to address the following revisions:
a. Inclusion of an accessible automated front entrance door and lift upon completion of the renovation to the Lawson Residence; and
b. Reduction to the impact of the west side massing of Buildings C and E to neighbouring properties.
2. That subject to the completion of the revisions to the applications to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Building and Planning, Council direct staff to prepare the necessary Bylaws for Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (OCP00010), Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (HRA00016), a Heritage Designation Bylaw and Development Permit (DP000056) for the property located at 960 Foul Bay Road.
Council approved changes to doors and windows on the front and rear of the existing house. Staff said the changes were minor, not visible from the street, and consistent with the Uplands design guidelines.
Council approved a zoning amendment to allow a secondary suite in the existing 1945 house. Staff said the suite was chosen instead of a separate accessory dwelling to reduce impacts on a mature beech tree; the design also makes the home more adaptable for an older family member. The bylaw received three readings and was adopted. Councillor Smart recused herself, citing a perceived conflict of interest.
Agreement
Council supported the suite and the application’s effort to preserve the mature tree.
Council approved a four-home infill proposal on a 0.71-acre site beside Uplands Park: a duplex and two accessory dwelling units. The design includes a mix of asphalt and permeable pavers, added planting and trees, and a driveway aligned with the existing access. Supporters said it would bring housing and landscaping to a largely barren lot while responding to the park setting. Opponents focused on the site’s visibility at a park entrance, its place in the Uplands National Historic Site landscape and the precedent for other large lots.
Agreement
Councillors praised the design and landscaping and agreed the application should be assessed against the Uplands siting and design guidelines.
Supporters said the proposal complies with the current rules for up to four homes on qualifying R1 and R2 lots.
Disagreement
Some councillors opposed approval, arguing that four homes were too much for a prominent park gateway and could set a precedent for other Uplands properties.
Other councillors supported it as a site-specific design that adds housing and landscape improvements without seeking variances.
Council gave three readings to and adopted a zoning amendment for the property. Staff said the proposal would improve the livability of a historic, non-conforming house and was consistent with Official Community Plan goals.
Councillor Smart introduced a motion directing the Mayor to write to the Province and local Members of the Legislative Assembly about the need for continued Local Government Climate Action Program funding, and to share the letter with the Capital Regional District board and other local elected officials. The transcript ends before the motion is debated or a result is declared.
Carried 7 to 02026 - 296
Ask the Mayor to urge the Province and local MLAs to continue funding the Local Government Climate Action Program, and share the letter with the CRD Board and elected officials in other B.C. municipalities.
Official wording: That Council direct the Mayor to send a letter to the Province and local MLAs outlining the need for continued Local Government Climate Action Program funding and share this letter with the Capital Regional District Board of Directors and other BC municipal elected officials.
Routine: adopt the minutes of the two May 11 and two May 19 Council meetings listed.
Official wording: That the following minutes be adopted:
Regular Council Meeting held on May 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM;
Regular Council Meeting held on May 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM;
Special Council Meeting held on May 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM; and
Special Council Meeting held on May 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM.