PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 25, 2026 Report No. DEV-26-024
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown , Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:TITLEDevelopment Services- 2026 First Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Development Services Department from January 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026.
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 one new rezoning or Official Community Plan amendment applications in the first period.
• 912 McNaughton - On hold (incomplete application).
2. Development Permit (DP) Applications
In addition to the existing development permit applications that staff continued to process (Appendix “B”), the department received eight new applications in the first period:
• 868 Old Esquimalt Road - (Delegated) proposed townhouse development of 6 dwelling units in two principal buildings.
• 445 Grafton Street - (Delegated) new single-family dwelling and associated landscaping within tsunami hazard area
• 942 Wollaston Steet - (Delegated) proposed 3-unit Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing development of three dwelling units in two principal buildings.
• 469 Admirals Road - (Delegated) proposed 3-unit Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing development of three dwelling units in one principal building.
• 1149 Bewdley Avenue - (Delegated) proposed 3-unit Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing development of three dwelling units in two principal buildings (incomplete application).
• 322 Plaskett Place - (Delegated) to authorize the construction of a previously unpermitted accessory building (stairs and decks/landings).
• 646 Head Street - (Delegated) proposed 4-unit Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing development of three dwelling units in two principal buildings.
• 475 Grafton Street - (Delegated) proposed 4-unit Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing development of three dwelling units in two principal buildings.
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 seven new applications in the first period:
• 942 Wollaston Street - Variance to reduce rear yard setback for SSMFH development.
• 1196 Wychbury Avenue - (Delegated) setback variance for proposed front deck (incomplete application)
• 604 Nelson Street - Variance to reduce the side setback of the parkade
• 1050 Dunsmuir Road - (Delegated) variance to reduce side yard setback and drive aisle width for SSMFH development
• 1056 Dunsmuir Road - (Delegated) variance to reduce drive aisle width for SSMFH development
• 322 Plaskett Place - Variance to reduce side setback, rear setback, and waterfront setback for a previously unpermitted accessory building (stairs and decks/landings).
• 646 Head Street - Variance to Bylaw No. 3128 to increase the allowed number of driveways.
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
No new applications were received in the first period. See Appendix “B” for ongoing applications.
8. Liquor License Applications
No new applications were received in the first period. There are no ongoing applications.
9. Legal Documents
• 633 Admirals - Section 219 covenant modification to permit additional retail on the ground floor.
10. Building Inspections
• Details are shown in Appendix C.
• Completed requirements for Plumbing Official in Training 1
• Approved occupancy for 899 Esquimalt
• Resolved extra-legal occupancy at 950 Lampson
• Approved occupancy for Inn Wing Spa at 429 Lampson
• Approved occupancy for 1102 Esquimalt
11. Other Planning Projects
• Worked on an Omnibus Amending Bylaw for the Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050.
• Reviewed plumbing permit process.
• Prepared data for the Local Government Climate Action Plan submission to the provincial government.
• Met with faculty and staff from Royal Roads University on several occasions to discuss partnership opportunities.
• Prepared and published job posting for Planning Technician.
• Weekly meetings held with the Development Capacity Study consulting team.
• Consultant presented the final Community Health Needs Refresh Report to Council.
• Sunders Group presented the Health Toolkit to Council.
• Presented deer fencing background report to Council.
• Staff presented the “Official Community Plan Major Review Project Sign-off to Council.
• Consultant presented Short-Term Rental report to Council.
• Updated development application fees bylaw presented to Council.
• Staff presented a report on Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing to Council.
• Worked on a staff report for Single Egress Stairs with the Fire Department.
12. Consultation
• Met with staff from CFB Esquimalt to discuss future development on the Base.
• Participated in the bi-annual CFB Esquimalt/Township of Esquimalt luncheon.
• Staff participated in several pre-application consultations with various property owners, developers, and architects actively preparing submissions for multiple family residential projects.
• Fielded a significant volume of landowner, 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 UDI Liaison Committee meeting.
• Attended an on-line Recreation Strategic Plan engagement session.
• Met with School District 62 to discuss development forecasts.
• Met with CRD consultants to discuss population projection methodologies.
• Attended the key presentation of the Central Block
13. Sustainability
• Began reparations for the Climate Action Plan Annual Report to Council.
• Prepared and submitted the Local Government Climate Plan greenhouse gas inventory for the province.
• Staff continue to work with the CRD Climate Action Inter-Municipal Working Group.
• Supported Parks and Recreation with the greenhouse gas reduction building retrofit study.
14. 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.
• Residential Building Permits Dashboard
15. Other
• Reviewed numerous Building Permit applications for compliance with development permits and zoning regulations.
• Reviewed Business Licence Applications for Zoning Compliance.
• Responded to 26 property information requests.
• Processed 12 requests for building plans.
• Attended Emergency Management Committee meeting.
• Dealt with several Zoning Bylaw infractions.
16. Training
Staff attended the following training sessions:
• Attended several Planning Institute of BC webinars.
17. Statistics
See Appendix “A” for housing statistics.
See Appendix “B” for status of development applications.
See Appendix “C” for building permit statistics
2. COMMITTEES
Advisory Planning Commission:
• The Advisory Planning Commission met four times in the first period and reviewed 11 applications.
Design Review Committee:
• The Design Review Committee met twice in the first period and reviewed five applications.
Board of Variance:
• The Board of Variance did not meet in the first period.