TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 7, 2025 Report No. EPW-25-011
TO: Council
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT: Delegated Authority to Issue Traffic Orders
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council give first, second and third readings to Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2898, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3166.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is for Council to consider delegating authority to staff for the issuance of Traffic Orders, except for Bus Zones, Residential Parking Only Zones, and Permit Parking.
BACKGROUND:
Under the current Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, all Traffic Orders require Council approval. Traffic Orders regulate the movement of traffic and parking on Township roads and include examples such as stop sign placement, school zones, time limited parking, and residential parking only. A full list of Traffic Orders requiring Council approval is listed in the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw under Sections 6 and 14.
To improve operational efficiency, staff recommend delegating authority to the Director of Engineering and Public Works (listed as Municipal Engineer in the bylaw) to issue Traffic Orders without Council approval. Staff propose excluding from this delegated authority Bus Zones, Residential Parking Only Zones, and Permit Parking, which have occasionally required additional input from Council in the past.
An amendment to the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw is required to enable this change. A proposed amendment is provided in Attachment 1. The current Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw is provided in Attachment 2 for reference.
ANALYSIS:
Under the current bylaw, where Council approval is required for all Traffic Orders, supporting staff reports are also required. These reports are typically straightforward, but they add to staff workload and can delay the implementation of minor traffic changes.
Permitting staff to issue Traffic Orders directly would improve operational efficiency. The proposed bylaw amendments (Attachment 1) are designed to streamline this process while maintaining Council oversight for more complex Traffic Orders, such as the placement of bus stops and the designation of Residential Parking Only and Permit Parking locations.
These changes would enable staff to respond more quickly to operational needs, such as designating No Parking Zones when vehicle movement issues arise and making timely, incremental changes to time limited parking in response to feedback.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council give first, second and third readings to Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, Noo. 2898, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3166.
2. That Council further amend the bylaw and give three readings to Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2898, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3166, as amended.
3. That Council provide alternative direction to staff.
4. That Council request further information from staff.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Good Governance & Organizational Excellence
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no financial impacts to the Township for delegating authority for issuing Traffic Orders.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
No community engagement has been completed for this.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
Once the bylaw is adopted, staff will be able to respond to issues and feedback by issuing Traffic Orders. Any Traffic Order related to Bus Zones, Residential Parking Only Zones, and Permit Parking will continue to require Council approval.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 1 - Bylaw 3166 - Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2898, Amendment Bylaw, 2025, No. 3166
2. Attachment 2 - Bylaw 2898 - Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw Consolidation