PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 26, 2025 Report No. DEV-25-019
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown , Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:TITLEDevelopment Services- 2025 First Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Development Services Department from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.
1. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Rezoning Application / Official Community Plan Amendments
In addition to processing rezoning applications submitted previously (Appendix “B”), the Department received two new rezoning & OCP amendment applications in the first period:
• 922 Forshaw Road - Amend zoning to allow for Bed & Breakfast use.
• 868 Old Esquimalt Road - Rezoning to a new Comprehensive Development [CD] zone to allow the development of 7 townhouse dwellings.
2. Development Permit (DP) Applications
In addition to the existing development permit applications that staff continued to process (Appendix “B”), the department received ten new applications in the first period:
• 525 Paradise Street - (Delegated) SSMUH, no variance
• 1079 Gosper Crescent - (Delegated) Proposed SSMUH
• 1215 Colville Road - Add additional unit to existing duplex (SSMUH)
• 604 Nelson Street - 6 story residential/ mixed use building, 235 residential, one commercial space.
• 852 Esquimalt Road - Seven requested changes to various areas within the development
• 805 Hutchinson Avenue - DADU
• 1004 Gosper Crescent - DADU
• 1158 Heald Avenue- DADU
• 770 Dominion Road - Removal of lifts
• 1114 Munro- Proposed SSMUH 4Plex
3. Development Variance Permit (DVP) Applications
In addition to the existing development variance permit applications that staff continued to process (Appendix “B”), the department received six new applications in the first period:
• 1215 Colville Road - Variance to reduce the required setbacks of a principal building
• 805 Hutchinson Avenue - New shed on property to bring into legal compliance along with existing accessory building being converted into DADU
• 1219 Old Esquimalt Road - Variance to the service agreements for underground Hydro
• 906 / 910 Esquimalt Road - Construction of five townhouse units in two buildings for residential use
• 429 Lampson Street - Site B portion of the property, a variance application relating to the setbacks required between Lot A 429 Lampson Inn Wing and Lot B 427 Lampson St
• 1075 Tillicum Road - Balcony Projections into setbacks
4. Board of Variance Application (BOV)
No new applications were received in the first period. There are no ongoing applications.
5. Heritage Alteration Permits (HAP)
No new applications were received in the first period. See Appendix “B” for ongoing applications.
6. Subdivision Applications
No new applications were received in the first period. See Appendix “B” for ongoing applications.
7. Temporary Use Permit [TUP] Applications
• 429 Lampson Street - Sales and Marketing Centre for Oakwood Condos
8. Liquor Licence Applications
No new applications were received in the first period. There are no ongoing applications.
9. Legal Documents
• 1004 Gosper Crescent - Section 219 covenant, and housing agreement (DADU)
10. Other Planning Projects
• Worked with the consulting team on the Integrated Parking Study.
• Worked on an Omnibus Amending Bylaw for the Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050.
• Prepared Request for Proposals for the Development Capacity Study.
11. Consultation
• Staff participated in several pre-application consultations with various developers and architects actively preparing submissions for multiple family residential projects.
• Consulted with developers and realtors to identify possible sites for small lot infill in Esquimalt.
• Fielded a significant volume of realtor, appraiser, developer, and potential home buyer inquiries regarding properties in Esquimalt, particularly those eligible for the new RSM-1 and RSM-2 zoning.
• Fielded a significant volume of inquiries about Short-Term Rentals in Esquimalt.
• Attended the Inter-municipal SD 61 Meeting.
• Met with staff from the ICF.
• Attended the UDI Liaison Committee meeting.
• Presented at the West Bay Residents Association AGM.
12. Sustainability
• Staff continue to work with the CRD Climate Action Inter-Municipal Working Group.
• Staff began working on Terms of Reference for the Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Road Map project.
• Staff completed the full application for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) for a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study Grant.
• Worked with Parks and Recreation, and Engineering and Public Works on the Request for Proposals for a study of ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipally owned buildings.
• Worked with City of Victoria and greater Victoria staff on a Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation grant application for a ‘Gorge Waterway Coastal Flood Adaptation Initiative’ grant application.
13. Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Provided digital data to the Integrated Cadastral Information Society.
• Created and updated online maps and specific thematic maps for staff.
• Provided mapping services to other departments as requested.
• Enhanced routine data maintenance tasks with scripting.
• Prepared seven draft walking tour maps.
• Developed an app for stormwater catch basins.
14. Other
• Reviewed numerous Building Permit applications for compliance with development permits and zoning regulations.
• Reviewed Business Licence Applications for Zoning Compliance.
• Responded to 34 property information requests.
• Processed 11 requests for building plans.
• Attended meeting of the Regional Planning Directors.
• Met with the Health Needs Assessment consulting team on a number of occasions to refine the project scope.
• Attended Emergency Management Committee meeting.
• The department had vacancies in 2 out of 3 planning positions in this period, not including the Director and the Manager. These vacancies had a negative impact on the department’s operational and Council Priorities Plan output. Interviews were conducted for both positions and successful candidates joined the team in March. The onboarding process has been completed, and the department should see a gradual return to operational output levels in the second period.
• Attended on-line demonstrations of the provincial building permit portal.
• Assisted the Economic Development Manager with the 500 Park Place North initiative
• Staff attended the CRD Regional Transportation Plan workshop.
15. Training
Staff attended the following training sessions:
• Attended an “Effective Report Writing” workshop.
• Attended several Planning Institute of BC webinars.
• Staff attended the “Green Stormwater Infrastructure Common Design Guidelines” workshop.
• Staff attended a UDI/BC Hydro workshop.
16. Statistics
See Appendix “A” for status of existing housing applications.
2. COMMITTEES
Advisory Planning Commission:
• The Advisory Planning Commission met twice in the first period and reviewed six applications.
Design Review Committee:
• The Design Review Committee met once in the first period and reviewed five applications.
Board of Variance:
• The Board of Variance did not meet during the first period.