Council gave final approval to several housing and land-use bylaws and advanced two major projects: 13 permanently affordable Habitat homes on Feltham Road, and 249 rental homes with commercial space and a possible daycare near Rutledge Park. Support was broad, but the Alder–Cloverdale proposal drew public concerns about reduced visitor and commercial parking, while some speakers also questioned variances and the shortage of larger units. Council endorsed a 100-year plan to restore the Bowker Creek watershed, with staff saying more detailed stormwater modelling is likely still a couple of years away and funding will need to come from several sources. The Feltham project can proceed, but final approval is held until agreements and other conditions are registered.
Generated from the recording's captions and the agenda (minutes not yet published by the council).
Council gave final reading to the housing agreement bylaw for the 898 Sevenoaks Road project. The agreement is intended to secure affordability and rental tenure, allowing the development to qualify for a full reduction in Development Cost Charges.
Council gave final reading to amendments adjusting the Parks and Rural Areas designations and exchanging zoned land between 4692 and 4718 Mountain Road. The changes support a boundary adjustment and also correct map errors in the Quadra McKenzie and Shelbourne Valley plans.
Council gave final reading to rezone 1899 Cochrane Street for eight three-storey attached homes in two buildings and approved the development permit. Both votes passed, with Councillors Brownoff and Chambers opposed.
Council gave final reading to rezone part of 4029 Zinnia Road so the property can be subdivided into two lots, and approved the related development variance permit. Councillor Westhaver recused herself because of the proximity of her home. Both votes passed despite opposition from Councillors Brice, Brownoff and Chambers.
Council gave final reading to a zoning amendment intended to make it easier for residents and businesses to install sustainable infrastructure, including solar collectors, electric-vehicle charging and heat pumps. The vote was unopposed.
Council gave final reading to rezone the three Quadra Street properties for a six-storey residential and commercial building and approved the development permit. Both votes were unopposed.
Council ratified and issued a temporary use permit allowing a landscape contracting business to continue operating on part of 1018 Beckwith Avenue while it finds an appropriately zoned site. The permit expires August 25, 2028. The decision passed, with Councillor Chambers opposed.
A representative of the development company asked Council to approve minor permit changes for a 59-home project completed in 2019. The requested changes address as-built conditions, including a parking stall that was placed on the surface after the parkade proved one stall short. Council approved this item as part of the consent agenda.
Council approved an amendment to its earlier grant-support resolution to reflect the updated name of the federal funding stream for the Brett Sewer Lift Station and Forcemain Upgrade Project. It was approved with the other consent items.
Council received the 2027 schedule of Council meetings for information as part of the consent agenda.
Council endorsed the updated 100-year plan for restoring the Bowker Creek watershed after pulling it from the consent agenda for discussion. A community representative supported the plan and highlighted watershed-wide coordination, recurring floods, and the need to move from planning to implementation. A resident described repeated flooding near Trent Street and asked for attention to blocked creek flow and local sandbag support. Staff said specific hydrological modelling is probably a couple of years away; work will draw on operating funds, drainage capital and possible grants, while much watershed-wide reporting is coordinated through the Capital Regional District.
Council approved three readings of the rezoning bylaw and approved the development permit for 13 affordable home-ownership homes in two three-storey buildings. Six public speakers supported the Habitat for Humanity project, describing its permanent resale-price limits, accessible homes and the demand from local families; one speaker said 283 families had expressed interest. Councillors praised the project’s fit with the neighbourhood, tree retention and community spaces. Final reading and permit ratification are withheld until covenants are registered, including a housing agreement securing affordability for the life of the buildings, tree protections, a sidewalk right of way and transportation measures such as car-share access and an electric-vehicle charging space.
Council approved three readings of the bylaw and the development permit for two six-storey buildings with 249 rental homes, commercial space and space intended for a daycare near Rutledge Park. The applicant said the project would include four resident-only electric car-share vehicles, bike facilities, new walking connections and street improvements. Three public speakers supported the location or project overall but raised concerns about limited three-bedroom homes, reduced visitor and commercial parking, setbacks and traffic. Council members backed the site for density because of its access to parks, transit, shops and cycling routes; staff said a wider parking review is underway, and paid parking would require a broader area study. Before final reading, the project must secure transportation measures and an agreement keeping the residential units as rentals for 50 years or the life of the building.
Council gave three readings to the housing agreement bylaw securing all units in the development as rental housing for 50 years or the life of the building. There was no debate, and all votes were unopposed.
Council gave three readings to both tax exemption bylaws, implementing the permissive tax exemptions presented at the August 17 meeting. All readings passed without opposition. Councillor Phelps Bondaroff was absent for the votes.
Council members gave end-of-term reports on advisory committees, covering arts and community well-being, finance, accessibility, climate and sustainability, parks, transportation, heritage and economic development. A councillor also summarized progress on Douglas Treaty negotiations, saying they were at stage five of six, before the agreement process moves to initialling and votes by the participating First Nations. The reports were informational; no decision was made.
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 Saanich publishes them. Anything above about motions comes from the recording and is preliminary.