PERIOD REPORT
DATE: September 28, 2026 Report No. DEV-26-045
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown , Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:TITLEDevelopment Services- 2026 Second Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Development Services Department from May 1, 2026 to August 31, 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 second period.
• 474 Admirals Road - Amending the zoning to allow a Group Daycare use.
2. Development Permit (DP) Applications
In addition to the existing development permit applications that staff continued to process (Appendix “B”), the department received five new applications in the second period:
• 1124 Colville Road - (Delegated) proposed Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing (SSMFH) development of three dwelling units in one principal building.
• 734 Sea Terrace - 17-unit Multi-Family development
• 846 Viewfield Road - Installation of a prefabricated bottle and can recycling station.
• 1221 Rockcrest Place - (Delegated) proposed Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing (SSMFH) development of three dwelling units in two principal buildings.
• 1037 Wychbury Avenue - proposed conversion of parking spaces to new multifamily units (incomplete application).
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 four new applications in the second period:
• 1073 Colville Road - variance to reduce minimum lot size for 2-lot subdivision, and variance to permitted driveway accesses from one to two.
• 721 Aldebury Street - variance to reduce parking and loading requirements for a scientific laboratory business.
• 899 Esquimalt Road - variance to reduce minimum area required to be dedicated to Health Clinic use to allow a temporary leasing office.
• 1221 Rockcrest Place - (Delegated) variance to reduce rear yard setback for SSMFH development .
4. Board of Variance Application (BOV)
No new applications were received in the second period. There are no ongoing applications.
5. Heritage Alteration Permits (HAP)
No new applications were received in the second period. See Appendix “B” for ongoing applications.
6. Subdivision Applications
In addition to the existing subdivision applications that staff continued to process (Appendix “B”), the department received one new application in the second period:
• 1219 Old Esquimalt Road - Strata conversion
7. Temporary Use Permit (TUP) Applications
No new applications were received in the second period. See Appendix “B” for ongoing applications.
8. Liquor License Applications
No new applications were received in the second period. There are no ongoing applications.
9. Legal Documents
622 Admirals - Section 219 covenant modification to permit additional retail on the ground floor.
10. Building Inspections
Details are shown in Appendix C.
11. Other Planning Projects
• Development Capacity Study - Met weekly with the project manager to ensure study is progressing on time and on budget. Hosted an in-person and on-line open house to gather public input. Presented preliminary findings of the data analysis to the Committee of the Whole on May 11, 2026.
• Prepared, presented, and posted the Housing Targets Report.
• Short Term Rentals Study - Consultant presented an outline of a proposed framework for regulating short-term rentals in Esquimalt at the June 22, 2026, Council meeting.
• DCCs and ACCs report - began research for potential project related to DCC and ACC bylaws.
• Assisted the Strategic Initiatives Department with research on docks.
• Prepared and presented a Zoning Bylaw amendment related to deer fencing.
• Worked with Royal Roads University and Strategic Initiatives to prepare course material for one of the University’s business courses.
• Planned and executed an all-day workshop to discuss Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing.
12. Consultation
• 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.
13. Sustainability
• Prepared the Climate Action Plan Annual Report.
• 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.
15. Other
• Welcomed our new Planning Technician to the team.
• Reviewed numerous Building Permit applications for compliance with development permits and zoning regulations.
• Reviewed Business Licence Applications for Zoning Compliance.
• Responded to numerous property information requests.
• Processed a number of requests for building plans.
• Attended Emergency Management Committee meeting.
16. Training
Staff attended the following training sessions:
• Attended a Planning Institute of BC webinar on the delivery of small-scale housing.
• Attended an earthquake workshop at the Pacific Geoscience Centre.
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 three times in the second period and reviewed eight applications.
Design Review Committee:
• The Design Review Committee did not meet in the second period.
Board of Variance:
• The Board of Variance did not meet in the second period.