Council approved the next steps in Oak Bay’s active transportation plan: three routes will advance to design and construction for 2027, while two more will go through engagement and design before returning to Council. The sharpest dispute was whether to delay work on those two routes until after the October election; a motion to postpone failed, with councillors divided over pedestrian and disability access, the value of more consultation, and the need to keep the network moving. Council also backed a regional weekend recycling drop-off pilot at a municipal lot near Oak Bay High, subject to a temporary use permit and further details. It approved the scope for a two-decade Parks Master Plan, which will assess current parks and services and set priorities for future investment.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
What was discussed
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4.1 Active Transportation Strategy Implementation Plan and 2027 Projects
Engineering and Public Works Director Steve Rennick presented the next stage of Oak Bay’s Active Transportation Strategy. Council approved the implementation plan and agreed to advance Cedar Hill Cross Road Route 3, Lansdowne Road Route 7, and Henderson Road Route 8 to design and construction in 2027. It also approved engagement, design work, and a later report to Council for Central Oak Bay Corridor Route 4 and Bowker Avenue Route 2. Discussion covered the limits of buffered bike lanes, which do not meet the provincial all-ages-and-abilities standard on these busy roads; the cost and uncertain availability of grants; and the need to hear from nearby residents, pedestrians, and people with disabilities. Six members of the public spoke: several urged Council to move ahead without further delay, while others stressed that local knowledge and meaningful neighbourhood engagement can improve safety and design. Councillor Esther Paterson’s motion to postpone the two-route work until after the 2026 election failed.
Agreement
Council supported advancing Cedar Hill Cross Road Route 3, Lansdowne Road Route 7, and Henderson Road Route 8 to design and construction in 2027.
There was broad support for improving safe travel options, though councillors differed on the timing and process for the two routes needing further engagement.
The approved work on Central Oak Bay Corridor Route 4 and Bowker Avenue Route 2 will include community engagement and return to Council.
Disagreement
Councillor Esther Paterson and Councillor Cairine Green supported postponing consideration of engagement and design for the two routes until after the election, citing concerns about inclusive consultation, pedestrian safety, accessibility, and competing infrastructure priorities. Other councillors argued that delaying would undermine Council’s commitment to the transportation network.
Some public speakers said Oak Bay had already consulted enough and should proceed with design work; others warned that skipping or weakening neighbourhood engagement could miss local hazards and create worse outcomes.
Councillors differed on whether existing engagement adequately captured the needs of pedestrians and people with disabilities. Staff said the planned process could include the Accessibility Advisory Committee and that pedestrians were part of previous engagement.
Approve the Active Transportation Strategy implementation plan in the two attachments to the staff report.
Official wording: That Council:
Approve the Implementation Plan of the Active Transportation Strategy included in Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 of the report titled "Active Transportation Strategy Implementation Plan and 2027 Projects" from the Director of Engineering and Public Works, dated June 15, 2026.
Move the first phases of the Cedar Hill Cross Road, Lansdowne Road, and Henderson Road active-transportation routes forward to design and construction in 2027.
Official wording: That Council:
2. Approve the following projects to advance to design and construction in 2027:
Cedar Hill Cross Road Route 3 – Phase 1
Lansdowne Road Route 7 – Phase 1
Henderson Road Route 8 – Phase 1
Put off deciding whether to proceed with community engagement, design work, and a report on the Central Oak Bay Corridor and Bowker Avenue projects until after the 2026 municipal election.
Official wording: That Council postpone consideration of part 3 until after the 2026 municipal election.
Have staff engage the community, advance the design, and report back to Council on the Central Oak Bay Corridor and Bowker Avenue active-transportation projects.
Official wording: That Council:
3. Direct staff to undertake community engagement, advance design and report back to Council on the following projects:
Central Oak Bay Corridor Route 4
Bowker Avenue ATS Route 2.
4.2 Participation in the CRD Beyond the Curb Initiative
utilities infrastructure1 public speaker1:15:50 Watch · Read
Council agreed to join the Capital Regional District’s Beyond the Curb recycling pilot by offering a site in Oak Bay and preparing a temporary use permit for the municipal parking lot at Cadboro Bay Road and Cranmore Road. The weekend drop-off would accept materials not taken in the regular blue-bin program, such as soft plastics, small electronics, and Styrofoam; a standard shipping container would use about two parking spaces. Staff said the service would be open to regional residents, likely have only a few vehicles on site at a time, and be operated by the Bottle Depot. Questions focused on parking conflicts, traffic flow, noise, after-hours dumping, and the effect on nearby homes. One public speaker supported the pilot but urged Council to consider other locations and avoid placing it near homes. Nearby residents must be notified before Council considers the permit, and staff can bring back operating details and pilot results.
Agreement
Council supported exploring a convenient weekend recycling drop-off service through the regional pilot.
Council agreed the temporary use permit process would provide a further opportunity to consider the site and hear from nearby residents.
Disagreement
A public speaker supported the service but raised concerns about noise near homes and suggested considering other municipal sites.
Councillors raised questions about parking availability and neighbouring impacts, but no councillor opposed the motion.
Have staff provide an Oak Bay site for the CRD Beyond the Curb recycling drop-off initiative and apply for permission to use the municipal parking lot at Cadboro Bay Road and Cranmore Road for that purpose.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to:
Participate in the Capital Regional District Beyond the Curb Initiative by providing a site within Oak Bay; and
Prepare and submit a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to facilitate the use of the municipal parking lot at Cadboro Bay Road and Cranmore Road for recycling drop-off.
Parks, Recreation, Culture, and District Facilities Director Thomas Soulliere presented the scope for a Parks Master Plan looking 20 years ahead. The work will assess existing parks, trails, amenities, public washrooms, maintenance, access, and service needs, then develop priorities and actions through two rounds of public engagement. Council heard that the plan will help replace an ad hoc approach with a clearer basis for investment and may inform development cost charges used to fund growth-related park needs. The planned consultant budget is $140,000. Councillors asked about local oversight, regional growth and use, volunteer work in parks, staffing needs, accessibility, wayfinding, and how conflicting park uses might be handled. Staff said the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s feedback and accessibility framework would inform the work, and Council would have further opportunities to comment as it proceeds. No members of the public spoke.
Agreement
Council supported creating a long-term plan to guide park priorities, maintenance, service delivery, and investment.
Accessibility, community input, climate resilience, and coordination with other District plans will be considered in the work.
The plan will be strategic rather than a detailed redesign of every individual park, with later reviews or updates anticipated.
Approve the Parks Master Plan project sign-off included with the staff report.
Official wording: That Council approve the Project Sign-Off included in Attachment 1 of the staff report titled "Council Project Sign-Off: Parks Master Plan (Council Priority Project #14)" dated June 15, 2026, authored by Thomas Soulliere, Director of Parks, Recreation, Culture, and District Facilities.