Council approved a major rezoning for 7350 West Coast Road, setting the stage for a 331-home development with commercial space, trails and parkland; the bylaw still cannot be adopted until legal covenants secure the promised works. The sharpest debate was over Highway 14 safety: council chose a smaller, roughly $700,000–$750,000 path-and-road package instead of improvements along the full frontage, and moved the school-side work ahead to an earlier development phase. Council also adopted the five-year financial plan, which includes a 10.5% tax increase—about $210 for an average home—with three councillors opposed and a fourth later clarifying that they had also voted no. After a resident raised an accidental removal of agricultural land housing rules, council directed staff to bring the fix to the May 11 meeting rather than wait for the usual committee route.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Adopt the meeting agenda, with the Sister City Agreement item moved to the next regular Council meeting.
Official wording: THAT the agenda for the April 13, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as amended by deferring item 8.1 - Sister City Agreement - Natori and Sooke to the next Regular Meeting of Council.
Routine: adopt the minutes of the March 23 regular meeting and the two April 1 special meetings.
Official wording: THAT the following Council meeting minutes be adopted as presented:
March 23, 2026 - Regular
April 1, 2026 - Special
April 1, 2026 - Special (Budget Revisions)
Council removed the zoning housekeeping amendments (item 7.5) for separate debate. It also pulled two correspondence items—a pedestrian-safety request and a letter about the Royop plan—for discussion at the next regular meeting. The remaining consent items were approved together.
Remove the zoning housekeeping amendments from the consent agenda for separate discussion, and approve the listed correspondence, report, committee minutes, and zoning density-bonus item together.
Official wording: THAT Item 7.5 - Zoning Bylaw House Keeping Amendments be removed from the Consent Agenda and the following items be adopted by consent:
7.2 Correspondence
7.3 Report of the Chief Administrative Officer
7.4 Land Use and Development Committee Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 - Draft
7.6 Density Bonusing Provisions – Zoning Bylaw Review and Proposed Repeal
Council pulled correspondence about pedestrian safety and concerns with the Royop plan. Both letters were set to return for discussion at the next regular meeting.
Carried 7 to 02026-141Item 7.2
Set aside the pedestrian-safety request and the Royop plan concerns for discussion at the next regular Council meeting, and receive the other correspondence from March 17 to April 8 for information.
Official wording: THAT the correspondence 17 .F - Request for Support-Pedestrian Safety (District of Sooke) and 29 .E - Royop Plan Concerns (Nyle and Marilyn Elder) be pulled for discussion at the next Regular Meeting of Council, and that the remaining correspondence from March 17 through April 8, 2026, be received for information.
zoning development1 public speaker2:51:50 Watch · Read
A resident asked council to restore zoning rules that allow an additional residence on Agricultural Land Reserve parcels in the RU1 and RU3 zones, saying the removal had left landowners waiting for a correction. Staff explained that the rule was unintentionally deleted during small-scale multi-unit housing changes and said the original schedule would have taken the work through the Land Use and Development Committee in June and then council. Council instead changed the route: staff must prioritize the amendments for the May 11 regular council meeting. The package also includes removing the steep-slope setback section.
Agreement
Council agreed the loss of the agricultural-land housing provision was unintended and should be corrected.
Council agreed to accelerate the amendments and bring the related zoning changes forward together.
Disagreement
Councillors differed over whether the amendment should return to the Land Use and Development Committee or go directly to council; council settled on the May 11 regular meeting.
Change the proposed target date for bringing the zoning amendments forward from the May Land Use and Development Committee meeting to the May 11 regular Council meeting.
Official wording: Motion to amend the amendment by replacing "May 2026 Land Use and Development Committee meeting" with "May 11, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council".
Ask staff to prioritize bringing two zoning changes to Council on May 11: restore permission for an additional residence on ALR parcels in the RU1 and RU3 zones, consistent with provincial rules, and remove the steep-slope setback section.
Official wording: THAT Council direct staff to prioritize bringing forward amendments to Zoning Bylaw No. 600 to the May 11, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council to:
Reinstate provisions recognizing an additional residence on parcels located within the Agricultural Land Reserve in the RU1 and RU3 zones in accordance with the Agricultural Land Commission Act and Agricultural Land Reserve Use Regulation; and
Remove Section 3.24 (Steep Slope Setbacks) from Zoning Bylaw No. 600.
The report was deferred to the next regular meeting. During council reports, the Mayor said the agreement had been formalized during a recent visit to Natori, Japan, and that a presentation would come back to council.
8.2 Request for Sponsorship: Sooke Bike Club Enduro Race Event (May 3, 2026)
Council approved $750 for the Sooke Bike Club’s May 3 enduro race. Councillors supporting it pointed to the event’s local business benefits and said the money would pay for professional first-aid services. The Mayor clarified that the funding would come from the Council Contingency.
Agreement
Supporters agreed the race could bring visitors and business to the community and that first-aid coverage was a practical use of the sponsorship.
Disagreement
A councillor suggested using the sponsorship fund first, while the official motion funded the $750 from the Council Contingency.
Provide the Sooke Bike Club with $750 from Council’s contingency fund to support its May 3 Enduro race.
Official wording: THAT Council sponsor Sooke Bike Club 2026 Enduro Race Event on May 3, 2026, in the amount of $750, funded from the Council Contingency.
9.1 Zoning Amendment for 7350 West Coast Road (Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 935 (600-115), 2026)
zoning development7 public speakers49:09 Watch · Read
Council approved three readings of the rezoning for a 41.3-hectare portion of 7350 West Coast Road, changing it from rural residential zoning to the Erinan Estates comprehensive development zone. The plan allows 331 ground-oriented homes and 1,800 square metres of commercial space; the applicant said about 26% of the site would be park and that the plan includes 4.1 kilometres of trails. Residents raised concerns about traffic, taxpayer costs for roads and services, construction noise, wildlife and watershed effects, and the scale of growth outside the town centre. Council members supporting the rezoning cited the site’s long planning history, nearby road and sewer infrastructure, commercial space, and confidence in the developer’s record. The main unresolved question was how much Highway 14 frontage work to require and when. Staff supported a continuous modified path-and-road package, while the applicant said full frontage work could cost about $6 million and proposed a less extensive alternative. Council chose Option F, with a physical separation between traffic and the multi-use path: the school-side segment from Grant Road to the John Muir Elementary School crosswalk must be built before the first subdivision lot in phase two; the segment from Grant Road to Erinan Boulevard must be built before the first lot in phase three. The applicant estimated the selected work at $700,000–$750,000. Before the rezoning can be adopted, covenants must secure these frontage works, phased parks and trails, infrastructure, and affordable-housing contributions. The affordable-housing contribution was discussed as $5,000 per lot up to a $250,000 maximum.
Agreement
Council agreed to advance the rezoning while requiring legal covenants to secure the development’s phased amenities and infrastructure before adoption.
Council agreed the route near John Muir Elementary School needed safer walking and cycling access and moved that work to an earlier phase.
Council unanimously approved the selected frontage and parkland covenant directions.
Disagreement
Some residents argued that the development would increase traffic and future costs for taxpayers; others questioned its environmental and neighbourhood effects. Council members supporting the rezoning emphasized the site’s long planning history and the developer’s record.
Staff preferred modified frontage improvements across the full highway frontage, while the applicant argued that the full package was financially infeasible and proposed a shorter, less costly design.
A councillor questioned why the affordable-housing contribution was capped at $250,000 rather than rising with the full build-out; staff said the figure was negotiated and would be front-loaded.
Give the proposed rezoning for part of 7350 West Coast Road its first three readings, changing that portion from rural residential zoning to the Erinan Estates comprehensive development zone.
Official wording: THAT Council give first, second, and third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 935 (600-115), 2026, to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 600 by rezoning a portion of the property legally described as Lot 2, Section 18 & 19, Sooke District, Plan 46871 (7350 West Coast Road), from Rural Residential (RU2) to the Erinan Estates Comprehensive Development Zone (CD16) as shown in Schedule A (Attachment 02: CD16 Zone).
Routine: receive the supplemental report about Highway 14 frontage improvements at 7350 West Coast Road.
Official wording: THAT Council receive the Supplemental Report dated April 13, 2026, titled “7350 West Coast Road (PLN01660) – Supplemental Report to Council on Highway 14 Frontage Improvements”.
Support the applicant’s third alternative for Highway 14 frontage work. Before the rezoning is adopted, require a covenant on the property to secure the design and timing: Segment 4’s shoulder, boulevard, path, and lighting must be completed before the first Phase 2 subdivision lot is finally approved; Segment 3’s boulevard, path, and lighting must be completed before the first Phase 3 lot is finally approved.
Official wording: THAT Council support the applicant’s Option F (Alternate 3), and require that, prior to adoption of the rezoning bylaw, a Section 219 covenant be registered on title to secure the design, timing, and delivery of the Highway 14 frontage improvements, including: Segment 3 with no shoulder, a 1.0 m boulevard, a 3.0 m multi-use path, and lighting; and Segment 4 with a 1.5 m shoulder, a 2.0 m boulevard, a 3.0 m multi-use path, and lighting; with Segment 4 to be constructed prior to final approval of the first subdivision lot in Phase 2, and Segment 3 to be constructed prior to final approval of the first subdivision lot in Phase 3.
Before the rezoning is adopted, require a covenant securing the phased provision of parkland, open space, trails and park amenities, infrastructure including emergency access and Highway 14 frontage work, and affordable housing contributions, following the specified park-dedication timing approach.
Official wording: THAT prior to adoption of the bylaw, a Section 219 covenant be registered on title to secure the phased delivery of statutory parkland dedication and open space, trail and park amenities, infrastructure works (including emergency access and Highway 14 frontage improvements), and affordable housing contributions, generally in accordance with the phased development framework and staff directives of option1.1 Park Dedication Timing - OPTION B - Flexibility in Dedicated Parkland Allocation set out in Attachment 10.
Before the rezoning is adopted, require a covenant securing the phased provision of parkland, open space, trails and park amenities, infrastructure including emergency access and Highway 14 frontage work, and affordable housing contributions, with flexibility in how much parkland is dedicated in each phase.
Official wording: AND THAT prior to adoption of the bylaw, a Section 219 covenant be registered on title to secure the phased delivery of statutory parkland dedication and open space, trail and park amenities, infrastructure works (including emergency access and Highway 14 frontage improvements), and affordable housing contributions, generally in accordance with the phased development framework and staff directives of option 1.2 Parkland Dedication Flexibility - OPTION B - Allow for flexibility in the amount of dedicated parkland per phase set out in Attachment 10.
Ask staff to bring any needed development variance permit and draft property covenant to Council for consideration before the rezoning is adopted, in line with Council’s direction.
Official wording: AND THAT Council direct staff to bring forward any required Development Variance Permit and draft Section 219 covenant for Council’s consideration prior to bylaw adoption, consistent with Council’s direction.
9.2 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 940, 2026
budget finance4 public speakers2:18:11 Watch · Read
Council adopted the five-year financial plan with a 10.5% tax increase, estimated at $210.48 for an average home. The Mayor broke down the increase: 3.04% for fire services, including two career firefighters; 2.6% for two additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, including a school liaison role; 2% for asset management; 1.81% for general municipal operations; 0.97% for emergency 911 dispatch costs; and 0.08% for debt service. Supporters cited round-the-clock emergency services, infrastructure needs and continued funding for community organizations. Opponents said the increase was too much for residents and that the plan relied on aspirational spending; councillors also pointed to travel, furniture and climate-related costs as areas for restraint. The chair initially announced a 5–2 vote, then accepted an online councillor’s clarification that they had voted against the plan, making the recorded vote 4–3.
Agreement
Councillors agreed the District needs an adopted financial plan and that the plan can be revised by future councils.
Supporters and opponents both acknowledged the pressure the proposed increase would place on taxpayers.
Disagreement
Supporters said the increase sustains emergency response, staffing and infrastructure needs; opponents said council should have cut more spending and that the tax burden was unaffordable.
A councillor argued that the plan’s five-year figures were aspirational and left hard choices to a future council; others defended the proposed services and commitments.
Carried 4 to 32026-152Item 9.22:32:29 Watch · Read
Adopt the District’s five-year financial plan for 2026 through 2030.
Official wording: THAT Council adopt the 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 940, 2026 .
Council gave first, second and third readings to the property tax rate bylaw. The motion carried 4–3.
Disagreement
Three councillors opposed the readings; the transcript identifies two as Councillors Haldane and McMath and records Councillor Pearson as also opposed.
Carried 4 to 32026-153Item 9.32:33:19 Watch · Read
Give the proposed 2026 property tax rate bylaw its first three readings.
Official wording: THAT Council give first, second, and third reading to the bylaw cited as Property Tax Rate Bylaw No. 941, 2026.
The Mayor introduced regional correspondence seeking municipal ideas for supportive-housing and shelter sites. She said Sooke’s need for complex-care places was pressing, with a reported three-year waitlist at Air Manor, but warned that the community lacked the services and resources to meet the request on its own. Councillors differed on how the costs and responsibilities should be shared across the region and province. One councillor suggested Sooke Place as a possible site for expansion; others stressed the value of affordable housing and the need to avoid stigmatizing its residents. Council received the correspondence for information.
Agreement
Councillors recognized that Sooke has a housing need and that the District must consider the capacity and cost of providing related services.
Council agreed the correspondence should be received for information.
Disagreement
Councillors differed over whether the cost burden of supportive and affordable housing was falling unfairly on Sooke or whether local housing provision helps prevent greater costs and hardship.
One councillor emphasized senior housing; another pointed to a possible regional housing provider site and cautioned against stigmatizing people in supportive housing.