TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 7, 2025 Report No. DEV-25-031
TO: Council
FROM: Jakub Lisowski, Planner II Policy, Development Services
SUBJECT: Official Community Plan (OCP) Recalibration - 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council, having considered Sections 475 and 476 of the Local Government Act, authorize staff to circulate the Project Sign-off for the Official Community Plan recalibration to those agencies and organizations identified in staff report DEV-25-031.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff are requesting Council authorization to circulate the Project Sign-off for the Official Community Plan recalibration to the list of recipients identified in Appendix "C". At their June 16, 2025, meeting (Appendix "A"), the Committee of the Whole endorsed the Project Sign-off of the Official Community Plan and directed staff to proceed with the Official Community Plan Recalibration. The Recalibration includes the elements identified in the Project Sign-off Document (Appendix "B").
BACKGROUND:
The Committee of the Whole recommended at their June 16, 2025, meeting (Appendix "A"), that Council endorses the Project Sign-off Document (Appendix "B"). The following key amendments are being made to the OCP:
* Making amendments necessary to be compliant with recent amendments to the Local Government Act related to the most recent Housing Needs Report.
* Making housekeeping amendments as outlined in the staff report.
* Amending the Commercial/Commercial Mixed-use policies to include policies related to height and density.
Chronology:
* November 30, 2023: Bill 44 Housing Statutes (Residential Development Act) received Royal Assent.
* September 23, 2024: As part of the Council Priorities Plan mid-term refresh, Council instructed staff to arrange for further in-depth discussion of the OCP.
* October 21, 2024: The Committee of the Whole recommended that Council direct staff to initiate Options 1, 2, and 3 for the OCP Recalibration.
* Oct...
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