REQUEST FOR DECISION
MEETING DATE: July 20, 2026 Report No. DEV-26-033
TO: Council
FROM: James Davison, Manager of Development Services
SUBJECT: Development Variance Permit Application - 1073 Colville Road - Staff Report No. DEV-26-033
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve the Development Variance Permit application DVP00187 to reduce the minimum parcel size in the RD-1 zone to enable the creation of one additional parcel through subdivision at 1073 Colville Road as outlined in staff report DEV-26-033.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The applicant wishes to subdivide the double-fronting parcel to create one additional parcel under an RD-1 zoning. The subdivision would create two RD-1 Two Family Residential zoned parcels at sizes of 416m2 and 490m2. The minimum parcel size in the RD-1 zone is 668m2. Every RD-1 zoned parcel (with the exception of those in the Tsunami Hazard Areas) has the potential to have a Small Scale Multi Family Housing (SSMUH) development. The applicant has the intention of creating three units on parcel A and three units on parcel B.
Staff is supportive of the application as it creates two lots of very useable size from a lot that is double-fronting. Single-fronting lots use Esquimalt’s infrastructure most efficiently.
BACKGROUND:
The applicant proposes to subdivide the existing lot into two smaller lots as shown in Appendix “C”. One lot would be 416 m2 and one lot would be 490 m2. However, the two proposed lots are both below the minimum lot size allowed in the zone, therefore, the lot size must be varied before the subdivision can be approved. Specifically, the requested variance is to the RD-1 zone, Section 38(2) of Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050, for a minimum parcel size reduction from 668m2 to 410m2.
These lots will be SSMUH eligible. The applicant is proposing an SSMUH project on each of the parcels, at three units each. One of the units may contain a suite.
There are no bylaw-protected trees on the site (see Appendix D for the Tree Management Plan).
ANALYSIS:
Staff is supportive of the application as it creates two reasonably-sized single-fronting parcels which are each able to support either duplex or SSMUH use.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council approve the Development Variance Permit application including reasons for the recommendation.
2. That Council table the decision on Development Variance Permit pending receipt of additional information.
3. That Council deny the Development Variance Permit, with reasons.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Housing
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no financial implications associated with the proposal.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
As this is a Development Variance Permit application, notices were mailed to owners and tenants of properties within 50 meters of the subject property on July 6, 2026.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Bill Brown, Director of Development Services, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
4. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix A DVP00187
Appendix B Aerial Map
Appendix C Site Survey
Appendix D Tree Management Plan
Appendix E Site and Landscape Plan
Appendix F Applicant Letter
Appendix G Applicant Presentation