Council approved eight three-storey townhouses at 4104 Shelbourne Street, with seven three-bedroom homes, tree-retention conditions and a $30,720 contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund; Councillor Chambers opposed the final approvals. The most divided debate was over a motion to recognize trees’ rights: speakers urged stronger protection, while councillors questioned what the declaration meant in law and whether it was clear or timely enough to refer. Both the tree motion and a proposed referral were defeated. Council also advanced three other development applications to public hearings, while Saanich Neighbourhood Place described rising demand for family, food and social-support services and the strain of meeting it with limited resources.
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What was discussed
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I Meeting closed in accordance with the Community Charter
governance
The agenda scheduled a closed meeting from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The public transcript begins after that meeting, so it does not record the vote.
Carried, unanimous
Routine: close the meeting to the public to discuss confidential personnel, land, and Indigenous negotiation matters.
Official wording: That the meeting be closed in accordance with the Community Charter, Part 4, Division 3, Section 90 (1) (a) (e) and Section 90 (2) (b) (iii) as the matters relate to personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality; the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality; and the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a first nation or a prescribed Indigenous entity, or between a first nation or prescribed Indigenous entity and a third party.
Council removed the proposed development at 2315–2335 Edgelow Street and 3876A Finnerty Road from this meeting. Staff said it would be rescheduled once additional information was available. The chair told anyone who had come to speak about it that it would not be considered that evening.
Agreement
Council approved removing the item without debate.
Remove the Edgelow Street and Finnerty Road rezoning and development permit application from this meeting’s agenda.
Official wording: That the agenda be amended by removing 2315, 2319, 2323, 2327, 2331 and 2335 Edgelow Street and 3876A Finnerty Road (Rezoning and Development Permit application) from the July 20, 2026 agenda.
community services2 public speakers4:07 Watch · Read
Saanich Neighbourhood Place described its services for residents across the municipality, from childcare and parenting programs to food support, youth services and help navigating crises. It reported 20,449 visits across three locations last year, support for more than 200 families, nearly 5,000 meals distributed and 16 new childcare spaces opening in the fall. Its executive director said demand has risen sharply, while funding and staffing are not keeping pace; she also urged the District to pair new housing with services and social spaces, and said another neighbourhood service centre in Saanich would help reach residents who cannot get to the Gorge-Tillicum area. Councillors praised the work and discussed senior cooking programs, the Giving Machine fundraiser, transportation barriers and the need for wider service access.
Agreement
Councillors praised the organization’s community role and the value of its food, family and social-connection programs.
The presenters and councillors agreed that transportation and access to services are important barriers for some residents.
During the public-input period, speakers addressed the cannabis-store application, the Shelbourne Street townhouses and the tree-rights motion. Residents raised concerns about development consultation, construction impacts and mature-tree loss; a community association representative asked Council to consider how amenity contributions are divided; the townhouse architect defended the revised design; and a representative for the cannabis applicant asked for support. Six speakers addressed the tree motion, including people concerned about protecting Garry oak trees and mature canopy.
Agreement
Speakers used the public-input period to present both support for proposals and concerns about their effects on nearby residents and trees.
Disagreement
Speakers differed over whether the Shelbourne townhouse proposal adequately addressed neighbour concerns and whether the tree-rights motion was needed.
A representative for the cannabis applicant argued the store would be safe and consistent with prior Council decisions; no opposing speaker on that application is heard in the transcript.
The chair reported that the May 25 closed meeting had appointed a District of Metchosin representative to the Peninsula and Area Agricultural Commission. The other member municipalities must also approve the appointments. No motion was required at this meeting.
E2 2900 Tillicum Road - Ratification of Development Permit Amendment DPA01101
Council approved a permit amendment allowing one three-bedroom unit to be converted into two two-bedroom units, with a related change to an existing covenant.
Agreement
Council approved the permit amendment without opposition.
Approve the permit change at 2900 Tillicum Road so one three-bedroom unit can be converted into two two-bedroom units, and update the related covenant.
Official wording: That Development Permit Amendment DPA01101 be approved and issued.
Council gave first readings to the Official Community Plan and zoning amendments for a five-storey apartment building, changing the land-use designation and rezoning the three properties to the apartment zone. It also sent the application to a public hearing. The chair said there would be no debate at this stage because public input and Council debate would take place at the hearing. Councillors Chambers and Plant opposed all three motions; the motions carried.
Disagreement
Councillors Chambers and Plant opposed the first readings and referral to a public hearing. The transcript does not give their reasons.
Give the first approval step to the Official Community Plan change that would allow a five-storey building at 1805, 1809 and 1811 Feltham Road.
Official wording: That Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2023, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10309, to permit a five-storey building in the Neighbourhood designation at 1805, 1809 and 1811 Feltham Road be given First Reading.
Give the first approval step to changing the zoning at the three Feltham Road properties so they can be used for apartment development.
Official wording: That Zoning Bylaw, 2003, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10310, to rezone 1805, 1809 and 1811 Feltham Road from the P-2 (Utility) Zone and RS-6 (Single Family Dwelling) Zone to the RA-11 (Apartment) Zone be given First Reading.
Council gave first readings to Official Community Plan and zoning amendments for a land-boundary adjustment and exchange. The changes would swap portions of rural and recreation/open-space zoning and correct map errors from the adoption of the Quadra McKenzie and Shelbourne Valley plans. Council sent the application to a public hearing. All three motions passed without opposition.
Agreement
Council supported the first readings and referral without opposition.
Give the first approval step to correcting certain planning maps and adjusting the Parks and Rural Areas boundaries related to the Mountain Road land exchange.
Official wording: That “Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2023, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10304” to adjust the boundaries of the “Parks and “Rural Areas” land designations, and address administrative errors in certain maps of the Quadra McKenzie and Shelbourne Valley Plans be given First Reading.
Give the first approval step to swapping the zoning on portions of the two Mountain Road properties so a boundary adjustment and land exchange can proceed.
Official wording: That “Zoning Bylaw, 2003, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10305” to rezone portions of 4692 Mountain Road from the P-4 (Recreation and Open Space) Zone to the A-1 (Rural) Zone and rezone portions of 4718 Mountain Road from the A-1 (Rural) Zone to the P-4 (Recreation and Open Space) Zone to facilitate a boundary adjustment for a land exchange be given First Reading.
Send the Mountain Road land exchange and related map-correction application to a public hearing.
Official wording: That the application for 4692 and 4718 Mountain Road and to address administrative errors in certain maps of the Quadra McKenzie and Shelbourne Valley Plans be forwarded to a Public Hearing.
Council gave first readings to amendments that would allow a mixed-use building of up to nine storeys and create a new mixed commercial-storage zone for the two properties. It also sent the application to a public hearing. The motions passed without opposition and there was no substantive debate.
Agreement
Council supported the first readings and referral without opposition.
Give the first approval step to an Official Community Plan change that would allow a mixed-use building of up to nine storeys on Tennyson Avenue.
Official wording: That “Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2023, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10306” to permit a mixed-use building of up to nine storeys at 3308 and 3312 Tennyson Avenue be given First Reading.
Give the first approval step to creating a mixed commercial and storage zone and applying it to both Tennyson Avenue properties, allowing flexibility for future uses.
Official wording: That “Zoning Bylaw, 2003, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10307” to create a new C-12M (Mixed Commercial Storage) Zone to provide flexibility for future uses while maintaining key policy objectives; and rezone 3308 Tennyson Avenue from the RD-1 (Two Family Dwelling) Zone and 3312 Tennyson Avenue from the M-1DW (Douglas Street West) Zone to the new C-12M Zone be given First Reading.
F1 Unit 105 - 3995 Quadra Street - Request for a Resolution of Council for Support of a Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Store for Saanich Centre CannaPlus Retailers Ltd.
community services1 public speaker1:14:48 Watch · Read
As part of the consent agenda, Council called a public hearing on the application for a Council resolution supporting a non-medical cannabis store at 105–3995 Quadra Street. A representative for the applicant told Council the site was already appropriately zoned, pointed to prior Council support for other stores and argued that licensed retail would reduce reliance on the illegal market. The public hearing is the next stage; Council did not decide whether to support the store.
Agreement
Council agreed to send the application to a public hearing, where it can be considered further.
Hold a public hearing on whether Council should support a proposed non-medical cannabis shop at 105–3995 Quadra Street.
Official wording: That a Public Hearing be called to further consider the application (CAN00013) for a resolution of Council in support of a non-medical cannabis retail store at 105 - 3995 Quadra Street.
Through the consent agenda, Council amended the election-official appointments: it rescinded Noman Sharif’s appointment as Deputy Chief Election Officer and appointed Lynn Merry instead.
Replace Noman Sharif with Lynn Merry as Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2026 local government election.
Official wording: That Council:
• rescind the appointment of Noman Sharif as Deputy Chief Election Officer; and
• appoint Lynn Merry as Deputy Chief Election Officer.
This proposed application was removed from the agenda before the business items were considered and will return at a later meeting once additional information is available. The application itself was not discussed or decided.
G2 4104 Shelbourne Street - Rezoning and Development Permit Application
Council approved rezoning and a development permit for eight three-storey attached homes: seven with three bedrooms and one with two bedrooms plus a den. The proposal has been in process for years. Supporters highlighted family-sized homes, transit access, a revised layout that reduces overlooking, and retention of 40 trees. A nearby resident criticized the consultation process and raised concerns about construction and neighbourhood impacts; the community association asked Council to consider its current community-amenity contribution policy. Staff said the applicant offered $30,720 to the Affordable Housing Fund. Council’s covenant requires that contribution and tree protections, including retaining protected trees on and beside the site. The rezoning and permit passed, with Councillor Chambers opposed; final reading and permit ratification are to be withheld until the covenant is registered.
Agreement
Supporters and the applicant agreed that the revised design had responded to some neighbour concerns, including overlooking and tree retention.
Council approved the housing proposal and secured the contribution and tree protections through a covenant before final reading and permit ratification.
Disagreement
A nearby resident said neighbours had not been adequately consulted and described concerns about loss of privacy, construction impacts and the effects of added development.
The community association asked Council to consider the current contribution policy’s distribution among local amenities, affordable housing and parks; the applicant’s offer instead directed the full $30,720 to affordable housing.
Councillor Chambers opposed the first reading, rezoning approval, permit approval and covenant motion. Other councillors supported the project; the transcript does not state Councillor Chambers’s reasons for opposing the later votes.
Approve changing the 4104 Shelbourne Street property to a zone that allows eight attached homes in two three-storey buildings.
Official wording: That Zoning Bylaw, 2003, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 10296, to rezone 4104 Shelbourne Street from the RS-6 (Single Family Dwelling) Zone to the RM-7 (Neighbourhood Residential Mixed) Zone to construct eight, three-storey attached housing units in two buildings be approved.
Hold the final zoning approval and permit confirmation until a legal covenant is registered. It must secure a $30,720 contribution to Saanich’s Affordable Housing Fund and tree-protection measures, including keeping specified protected trees on and near the site.
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:
a) Provision of a Community Amenity Contributions totalling $30,720 to the Saanich Affordable Housing Fund.
b) Protection and retention measures throughout all phases of site preparation and development as outlined in the Talmack Urban Forestry report dated January 23, 2026, and any updated version thereof which may be required as work on site progresses to:
i. Retain on-site Bylaw protected tree #501;
ii. Ensure best efforts to retain on-site Bylaw protected trees #502 and #503; and
iii. Retain eight off-site Bylaw protected trees, including trees #552, #553, #554, NT12, NT14, NT16, NT17, and NT18.
Council gave three readings to an interim amendment allowing the Director of Engineering to set unit-rate calculations for latecomer fees when property owners connect to excess or extended services, and updating the collection period to match current law. Staff said the existing calculation method was impractical for an urgent storm-infrastructure connection and a broader amendment is being developed. Councillor Plant asked how disagreements with the Director’s calculations could be challenged. Staff said there is an internal administrative process, but no appeal to Council under the bylaw; judicial review is available through the courts.
Agreement
Council supported the amendment as an interim response while staff work on a longer-term update.
Staff and Council agreed the bylaw assigns the rate calculation to the Director of Engineering.
Disagreement
Councillor Plant questioned the lack of an appeal to Council and asked what recourse residents or applicants would have if they disputed a calculation. He said he would support the interim change after staff clarified the available process.
Give the proposed changes to the excess-services fee rules their third approval step. The changes would let the Director of Engineering set certain latecomer fee rates and update the period for collecting them.
Official wording: That Bylaw No. 10308 be given Third Reading.
H1 Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree
parks environment6 public speakers1:47:54 Watch · Read
Councillor Chambers proposed endorsing principles that recognize trees’ ecological, cultural and community value, asking staff to consider them in Saanich’s tree bylaw and other planning work, and seeking partnerships and public education—especially around Garry oak ecosystems. Six members of the public spoke, several urging stronger protection for mature trees and Garry oak meadow. Councillors agreed trees matter, but many questioned which version of the declaration the motion meant, whether it implied legal rights the municipality could grant, and what practical work it would require. The Mayor’s proposal to refer the issue to the incoming Council was defeated, followed by the original motion.
Agreement
Councillors across the debate acknowledged the importance of trees and Saanich’s existing tree-protection, urban-forest and biodiversity work.
Supporters of referral and opponents both recognized that the issue could require more policy work and clearer definition.
Disagreement
Public speakers and Councillor Chambers urged recognition of trees’ intrinsic and cultural value and stronger attention to mature trees and Garry oak ecosystems.
Other councillors objected that the declaration was not clearly identified and that the motion left unclear whether it sought ecological recognition or legally enforceable rights.
Councillors also disagreed over whether to refer the issue to the incoming Council: supporters saw referral as a way to allow further consideration, while opponents said the scope was unclear, the term was nearly over and existing work should take priority.
Have Saanich endorse the declaration’s principles about protecting trees, consider them in relevant tree, forest, planning, and environmental policies, explore education and stewardship partnerships—including with First Nations and community groups—and report back on possible policy or bylaw changes.
Official wording: That the District of Saanich endorse the principles of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree, recognizing trees as vital living beings with ecological, cultural, and community value, deserving protection including the right to life, natural growth, integrity, and regeneration;
Direct staff to consider and integrate these principles, where appropriate, into the ongoing Tree Protection Bylaw update, Urban Forest Strategy implementation, Official Community Plan, Environmental Development Permit Area (EDPA) guidelines, and related strategic planning processes;
Explore opportunities for partnerships with local environmental organizations, First Nations (Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples), and community groups to advance public education and stewardship of Saanich’s urban forest, particularly Garry Oak ecosystems;
And that staff provide an update to Council as part of the next Tree Protection Bylaw update report (or the next relevant strategic planning report) on potential alignments, recommended enhancements, and any proposed policy or bylaw adjustments.