The most contested decision was how many nights a year a home could be rented short-term: Council rejected a 91-night limit, then settled on 120 nights, with a review after two years. Council also approved $625,750 in affordable-housing grants, despite concerns that tenants with disabilities were not meaningfully involved in plans to redevelop their homes; members said the grants would help keep rents lower, while the tenant-protection rules could be revisited. A long-discussed Gorge Road and Rockwell Avenue project won unanimous support for 58 townhomes, most with three or four bedrooms, after nearby residents praised changes made in response to community feedback. Council advanced changes to make solar panels, electric-vehicle charging and heat pumps easier to install, and agreed to press the province on youth transit and tools to address emissions from existing buildings. Several proposals are not immediate changes: staff must still draft short-term-rental bylaws, and the incoming Council will consider whether to establish a permanent youth council.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
What was discussed
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I Closed Meeting
governance
The agenda scheduled a closed meeting at 6:00 p.m. to discuss solicitor-client advice and confidential negotiations. That portion is not included in the supplied transcript.
Carried, unanimous
Routine: close the public meeting so Council can discuss the confidential matters permitted under the Community Charter.
Official wording: That the meeting be closed in accordance with the Community Charter, Part 4, Division 3, Section 90 (1) (i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and Section 90 (2) (b)(i) as the matter relates to the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.
Council revisited its June 15 decision on short-term rentals. A proposed 91-night annual limit failed after Council clarified the wording of the motion. Councillor Plant then proposed 160 nights, but Councillor de Vries moved to reduce that to 120. Council approved the 120-night limit and a two-year review. This does not change the current ban: staff must draft regulatory bylaws and bring them back to Council before the new rules can take effect. Members differed on how to balance homeowners’ ability to earn rental income with the risk of shifting homes away from long-term renters. Some cited housing affordability and low vacancy rates; others stressed public demand and the value of establishing a program. Staff said they had not fully assessed the resourcing costs of a limit above 90 nights.
Agreement
A two-year review should assess how the rules work in practice.
The decision only directs staff to draft bylaws; short-term rentals remain subject to the current rules until Council considers those bylaws.
Disagreement
Members supporting a lower limit argued that more nights could draw homes from the long-term rental market and worsen affordability.
Members supporting a higher limit emphasized opportunities for homeowners, public feedback and the need to put a regulatory program in place.
Members disagreed over whether the short-term and long-term rental markets compete directly and how much weight to give research based on broader short-term-rental markets.
Ask staff to prepare rules for short-term rentals based on the report, with a maximum of 91 rental nights per property each year, and return with a review after two years.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to:
1. develop regulatory bylaws for Council’s consideration for the regulation of short-term rentals consistent with the recommendations in this report but including a 91-night limit per property per year; and
2. report back with a two-year implementation review of short-term rental regulations.
Change the proposed short-term rental limit from 160 nights to 120 nights per property each year.
Official wording: That the first point be amended to read:
1. develop regulatory bylaws for Council’s consideration for the regulation of short-term rentals consistent with the recommendations in this report but including a 120-night limit per property per year
Ask staff to prepare short-term rental rules based on the report, allowing up to 120 rental nights per property each year, and return with a review after two years.
Official wording: That Council direct staff to:
1. develop regulatory bylaws for Council’s consideration for the regulation of short-term rentals consistent with the recommendations in this report but including a 120-night limit per property per year; and
2. report back with a two-year implementation review of short-term rental regulations.
Public input covered housing grants and tenant displacement, the proposed Gorge and Rockwell townhomes, youth transit, youth participation in local government, permit-process engagement, and greenhouse-gas rules for existing buildings. One speaker was stopped after going beyond the listed agenda topics; Council recessed until the speaker left the podium, then resumed and closed public input. Speakers raised both support for new family housing and concerns about how redevelopment affects existing tenants, including people with disabilities.
Agreement
Speakers emphasized that affected residents, including disabled tenants, need meaningful involvement in decisions about their homes.
Speakers supporting the Gorge and Rockwell proposal praised its revised townhome design and the developer’s engagement with neighbours.
Disagreement
Speakers differed on whether the affordable-housing grants should proceed while tenants raised concerns about relocation and participation.
A speaker supported provincial authority for local building-emissions rules but cautioned about costs for existing homeowners; another urged Council to push for action on emissions from existing buildings.
Routine: approve the minutes of the four listed June meetings.
Official wording: That Council adopt the minutes of the
• Council meeting of June 15, 2026
• Special Council meeting – Public Hearing of June 16, 2026
• Committee of the Whole meeting of June 22, 2026
• Special Council meeting of June 22, 2026.
Council gave final reading to the bylaw incorporating the Quadra McKenzie Plan into Saanich’s Official Community Plan and aligning the land-use framework and maps. Two councillors opposed the final reading; it passed. Final reading is the last vote before a bylaw is adopted.
Disagreement
Two councillors opposed the final reading; the transcript does not give their reasons.
Council gave final reading to the Official Community Plan and zoning changes for a six-storey apartment building at 3984 and 3986 Gordon Head Road, approved its development permit, and gave final reading to the related zoning bylaw. One councillor opposed each of the three decisions; all passed.
Disagreement
One councillor opposed the plan change, development permit and zoning bylaw; no reason was stated in this part of the meeting.
Council gave final reading to the zoning bylaw for a six-storey apartment building at 961 McKenzie Avenue and 3986 and 3990 Saanich Road, and approved and issued its development permit. Two councillors opposed both decisions; both passed.
Disagreement
Two councillors opposed the zoning bylaw and the development permit; no reasons were stated in this part of the meeting.
Council approved the remaining consent items together: the 2026 update on modernizing permit and application processes; a lot-width variance for a subdivision at 3905 Hobbs Street; appointing KPMG LLP as external auditors for 2026–2030; a revised meeting schedule; and a procedure-bylaw change allowing more than one delegation at a meeting and scheduling delegations at Council or Committee of the Whole meetings. The affordable-housing grants were pulled out for separate debate.
Routine: approve the listed consent agenda items, covering the annual permit-program update, a Hobbs Street variance permit, the auditor appointment, the revised meeting schedule, and delegation scheduling.
Official wording: That Consent Agenda items E1, E2, E4, E5, and E6 be approved.
A request to pull the grants from the consent agenda and debate them separately failed to get the required support earlier in the meeting, but Council later considered the grants individually. It unanimously approved $40,000 each for pre-development work by Garth Homer Society and Pacifica Housing, and capital grants of $185,500 for Capital Regional Housing Corporation’s Sevenoaks Road project and $360,250 for its McKenzie Avenue project. Speakers and Councillor Chambers raised concerns about disabled tenants’ involvement and relocation, and whether non-market tenants receive equivalent protections. Staff said non-market providers were exempted from Saanich’s tenant-protection bylaw to avoid duplicating their own relocation policies and to speed affordable-housing approvals. Staff described supports including individual relocation plans, moving-cost assistance and a right of first refusal to return. They said withholding the grants would not stop the project but could increase rents. Council approved the grants while recognizing that redevelopment and relocation can disrupt tenants’ lives.
Agreement
The grants help affordable-housing providers secure senior-government funding and keep rents lower.
Council can revisit the bylaw exemption for non-market providers if it chooses.
Disagreement
Some speakers and a councillor argued that disabled tenants were not adequately involved and that the non-market exemption leaves them without protections available to market renters.
Supporters of the grants emphasized the new affordable homes and the providers’ relocation policies; critics urged a pause or stronger tenant protections before funds were released.
Move the affordable housing grant applications out of the consent agenda and consider them immediately after the “Nothing About Us Without Us” motion.
Official wording: That Council suspend the provisions of Council Procedure Bylaw to remove the item titled “Saanich Affordable Housing Reserve Fund Applications” from the Consent Agenda and for it to be considered directly after the notice of motion titled “Nothing About us Without us.”
Give Garth Homer Society and Pacifica Housing a total of $80,000 to help pay for early planning and development work on their housing projects.
Official wording: That Council approve two Pre-Development Grants to Garth Homer Society and Pacifica Housing from the Saanich Affordable Housing Reserve Fund totalling $80,000.
Give Capital Region Housing Corporation grants of $185,500 for its 898 Sevenoaks Road project and $360,250 for its 1821 McKenzie Avenue project.
Official wording: That Council approve Capital Grants to Capital Region Housing Corporation for housing projects at 898 Sevenoaks Road ($185,500) and 1821 McKenzie Avenue ($360,250) from the Saanich Affordable Housing Reserve Fund.
Council gave three readings to a zoning bylaw intended to reduce barriers to installing solar collectors, electric-vehicle charging equipment and heat pumps at homes and businesses. No debate or opposition was recorded. Third reading is the last vote before a bylaw can proceed to final adoption.
Begin consideration of zoning changes intended to make it easier for residents and businesses to install solar collectors, electric-vehicle charging equipment, and heat pumps.
Official wording: That Bylaw No. 10301 be given First Reading.
Council unanimously advanced a plan for 58 three-storey attached homes on two lots near the Gorge Waterway: 44 homes have at least three bedrooms, including 38 with four bedrooms. The developer said the design had changed from a larger apartment proposal after years of staff and neighbourhood feedback. Several nearby residents supported the family-sized homes and said the revised design fits the area. Councillors also praised the engagement and design, while raising questions about rat control during demolition and safe access across the road to the park. Council approved the rezoning and development permit, including variances for visitor and accessible parking and loading, and set conditions before final reading and permit ratification: approval of a tenant-protection development permit and registration of a covenant covering patio access, a shared drive aisle and a $116,000 community amenity contribution for parks.
Agreement
The revised townhome proposal reflects community feedback and is a good fit for the neighbourhood.
The 58 homes, including many three- and four-bedroom units, add needed family housing.
Approve changing the zoning on the listed Gorge Road West and Rockwell Avenue properties so 58 three-storey attached homes can be built on two lots.
Official wording: That the application to rezone 986, 988, 990 & 992 Gorge Road West and 2808, 2812 & 2814 Rockwell Avenue from the RA-1 (Apartment) Zone and the RS-6 (Single Family Dwelling) Zone to the CD-11GR (Comprehensive Development Gorge Rockwell) Zone to construct a total of 58 three-storey attached housing units on two lots be approved
Hold off on final zoning approval and confirming the development permit until the tenant-protection development permit is approved.
Official wording: That Final Reading of the Zoning Bylaw Amendment and ratification of the Development Permit be withheld pending the approval of the Tenant Protection Development Permit.
Do not give final zoning approval or confirm the development permit until a legal agreement secures patio access, shared use of the drive aisle between the two lots, and a $116,000 parks contribution for future park improvements.
Official wording: That Final Reading of the Zoning Bylaw Amendment and ratification of the Development Permit be withheld pending registration of a covenant to secure the following:
• Easement allowing for access to patios, as shown on the Development Permit as required by the Director of Planning;
• Reciprocal access for the drive aisle between Lot A and B; and
• The provision of a Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) totalling $116,000 ($2,000 per unit) to be allocated to Saanich Parks for the purpose of future improvements and upgrades to any of Gorge, Gorge Waterway or Craigflower Kosapsom Parks.
Council received the end-of-term report from a volunteer pilot involving 14 students from seven high schools. The group met nine times, surveyed 319 students and developed recommendations, including proposals on transit. Council agreed to consider a permanent youth advisory body during the incoming Council’s first strategic-planning session, rather than in August. Members praised the students’ work but discussed who should lead such a body, how it should relate to Council’s existing committees, and the need to consider staff and budget commitments.
Agreement
The pilot showed that youth can contribute meaningfully to municipal discussions.
The incoming Council should consider the structure and future of a youth advisory body as part of strategic planning.
Disagreement
Some members questioned how the pilot was organized outside a formal Council process and whether it gave all councillors an equal role.
Members differed on what structure would best support youth participation and how much staff time and funding a permanent body would require.
Add a requirement to discuss a youth advisory committee or youth council at the incoming Council’s first strategic planning session.
Official wording: That the motion be amended to add a subsequent point that states: include the topic of a youth advisory committee or youth council in the first strategic planning session of the incoming Council.
Receive the Student Youth Council’s end-of-term report, send the question of a permanent youth advisory group to strategic planning and include it at the next Council’s first planning session, and consider the youth council’s separate rail-corridor and free-transit proposals.
Official wording: That Council:
1. receive the end of term report from the Student Youth Council for information.
2. refer the issue of establishing a permanent youth advisory committee or youth council to strategic planning;
3. include the topic of a youth advisory committee or youth council in the first strategic planning session of the incoming Council; and
4. consider the two motions submitted to it by the Student Youth Council (see subsequent agenda items):
• Endorsement in Principle of the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative.
• Free Transit for Youth in BC.
Council endorsed, in principle, the due-diligence process exploring passenger rail on part of the Island Corridor, without endorsing a particular route, technology or final project. The initiative brings the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and local governments together to examine possible regional transportation, housing, climate and reconciliation benefits. Council also agreed to write to federal and provincial leaders, local representatives and Capital Regional District mayors, and to have the incoming Council receive a briefing. The question was called before the vote; the motion passed unanimously.
Agreement
Supporting the study process does not predetermine whether passenger rail will proceed.
Support the work exploring a possible passenger-rail corridor in principle without deciding its final outcome, have the Mayor tell senior federal and provincial officials and regional mayors of that support, and ask the incoming Council to receive a briefing on the initiative.
Official wording: That Council:
1. Endorse, in principle, the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative process and its due diligence work, without predetermining the final outcome of that process;
2. Direct the Mayor to write to the Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Prime Minister, Provincial Minister of Transportation and Transit, Premier, Local MLAs and MPs, and Mayors of all CRD municipalities to express Saanich Council’s support in outlined clause 1; and
3. Request that the incoming Council at the start of the 2026 to 2030 term receive a briefing on the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative from District staff and/or representatives of the Island Corridor Foundation.
transportation2 public speakers2:50:33 Watch · Read
Council agreed to ask the province to extend its Get On Board free-transit program to young people through age 18 and to explore teaching students how to use transit safely and confidently. A representative of the Victoria Transit Riders Union urged the province to fund free fares rather than leave the cost to municipalities. Councillors supporting the letter cited access to school, work and activities, and the benefits of building transit use among young people. One councillor argued the proposal repeated earlier advocacy and should move forward without more debate. A motion to end debate failed, but the main motion passed unanimously.
Agreement
The province, rather than individual municipalities, should be urged to fund broader youth transit access.
Helping young people feel confident using transit is a useful addition to the fare-free proposal.
Disagreement
One councillor wanted to end debate, while several others opposed doing so and spoke in favour of the motion.
Ask the Mayor to urge the Province to extend its Get On Board free-transit program to young people through age 18 and explore adding school lessons to help young people use transit safely and confidently.
Official wording: That Council direct the Mayor to write to the Premier, Minister of Transportation and Transit, Minister of Education and Child Care and local MLAs, to reiterate Council’s call for the Province to expand the Get On Board Program to cover young people up to and including the age of 18, and to explore working with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to add curriculum elements that train young people on how to safely and confidently use public transit.
community services4 public speakers3:01:07 Watch · Read
Councillor Chambers proposed making meaningful participation by disabled people a guiding principle in housing, planning, development and service decisions, with staff to report on how to put it into practice. Speakers connected the proposal to the relocation of disabled tenants during affordable-housing redevelopment and argued that notice alone is not meaningful participation. Council referred the matter to its Accessibility Technical Administrative Committee for consideration, rather than adopting the proposed policy that night. Members noted that the District’s Accessibility Plan already includes a related guiding principle and said the committee could identify what more is needed.
Agreement
Meaningful participation by disabled people is important, and the issue should receive further consideration.
The Accessibility Technical Administrative Committee is an appropriate place to examine the proposal and possible improvements.
Disagreement
The mover and speakers sought a formal Council-wide commitment and review of tenant protections; other members favoured referral first, citing existing accessibility work and the need to assess how the proposal fits with it.
Send the “Nothing About Us Without Us” proposal about including disabled people in decisions affecting them to the Accessibility Administrative Technical Committee for consideration.
Official wording: That the matter be referred to the Accessibility Administrative Technical Committee (AATC).
G5 DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROVINCIAL TOOLS TO ENABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
parks environment2 public speakers3:15:30 Watch · Read
Council unanimously agreed to urge the province to develop tools that would let local governments regulate emissions from existing buildings. The mover said buildings are one of Saanich’s largest sources of emissions and that local authority could help deliver provincial and local climate targets. Members said the tools could support data collection, incentives and well-designed future rules. A public speaker cautioned that retrofits can impose substantial costs on homeowners, including electrical-panel upgrades; councillors stressed that the request is for provincial tools and further work, not an immediate local mandate.
Agreement
The province should develop tools so local governments can address emissions from existing buildings.
The costs and effects on residents should be understood as possible approaches are developed.
Disagreement
A public speaker questioned whether regulation is appropriate where retrofits may be costly; members supporting the motion said the province should develop tools and assess how to apply them responsibly.
Ask the Mayor to urge the Province to develop and put in place tools that would let local governments regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings.
Official wording: That Council directs the Mayor write to the Provincial Government, including the Premier, the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, other appropriate Ministers, and local MLAs, urging the Province to advance the development and implementation of tools that would enable local governments to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings.