TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT MEMORANDUM
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2024 Report No. ADM-24-042
TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: Victoria McKean, Committee Coordinator and Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services
SUBJECT: Committee Chair Updates Summary
INFORMATION:
The Township of Esquimalt's Advisory Bodies play an important role in supporting Council decision-making and assisting with the achievement of Council's priorities. To promote effective communication between Council and its Advisory Bodies, Advisory Body Chairs are invited annually to provide an update to Committee of the Whole on the Advisory Body's work and provide feedback on desired improvements.
This memorandum summarizes the updates presented by the Chairs at the Committee of the Whole meetings held on April 15 and May 13, 2024, and is presented to Committee of the Whole for information.
Advisory Planning Commission Design Review Committee
The Design Review Committee has experienced an increase in volume and complexity of development applications presented for their consideration and the Chair expressed that balancing thoughtful review of these applications with the current speed of the application process is a top priority for the Committee. The Committee expressed interest in providing advice on development policies on a broader scale, rather than the current project-based approach. Specifically, the Committee would like to provide input on the Township's development permit and rezoning submission guidelines and design guidelines.
The Committee has observed a trend of receiving development applications that cite environmental sustainability practices but lack sufficient evidence of their impact and effectiveness. Additionally, the Committee is concerned with applicants raising financial feasibility concerns in response to Committee questions, which may be a barrier to providing comprehensive recommendations to Council. The Committee would like to explore ways in which submission guidelines m...
Click here for full text