REQUEST FOR DECISION
MEETING DATE: January 20, 2026 Report No. APC-26-002
TO: Advisory Planning Commission
FROM: James Davison, Manager of Development Services
SUBJECT: Development Variance Permit Application - 640 Lampson St - Staff Report No. APC-26-002
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Esquimalt Advisory Planning Commission recommends that Council either approve, approve with conditions, or deny the Development Variance Permit Application for 640 Lampson street that proposes to permit staff to provide an alternate development standard for the frontage works and services along Fernhill Rd for the development at 640 Lampson Street, as outlined in Staff Report No. APC-26-002, including reasons for the chosen recommendation.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The approved Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing (SSMFH) project at 640 Lampson St would be required by Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 3128 to make improvements along the street frontages of both Lampson St and Fernhill Rd at time of Building Permit.
The Fernhill Rd frontage is steeply sloped and treed, and staff does not wish to alter the condition of the road frontage, other than likely requiring milling and re-paving the road surface.
A variance to permit staff to not require the frontage improvements within Section 5(a) of the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw was approved by Council on September 8, 2025.
This application proposes two walkways out to Fernhill Road at the request of the ownership, which staff does not support.
BACKGROUND:
The property at 640 Lampson St has an approved Development Permit to construct a 4-unit SSMFH project.
In this case, frontage improvements required by the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw would cause the removal of trees and create practical difficulties in the construction of works and services given the steeply sloped bank running to property line at 640 Lampson. Requiring curb and gutter and sidewalk would require ex...
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