REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
DATE: October 12, 2021 Report No. DEV-21-070
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Karen Hay, Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
New fencing regulations and deer
End
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What changes to the Zoning Bylaw would the Committee like to see to enable residents to further protect garden vegetation from Columbia Black-Tailed Deer feeding?
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of the Whole receive Staff Report No. DEV-21-070 for information, provide any additional direction to staff as the Committee considers advisable, and direct staff to prepare a report and Zoning Bylaw amendment bylaw for Council's consideration.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Appendices
Appendix A: Council Motion
Appendix B: Pictures of fencing, netting, and other defensive approaches
Appendix C: Zoning Bylaw,1992, No. 2050, Section 22. Fences and Retaining Walls
Appendix D: Public Comments
Purpose
On June 28, 2021, Council passed a motion directing staff to draft a report regarding regulation of fence heights and design that "should briefly explore ways to increase fence heights along with guidelines to allow for esthetics of the neighbourhood" (Appendix A).
The deer feeding in Esquimalt gardens are Columbia Black Tailed Deer (Odecoileous hemionus columbianus). They are native to Vancouver Island and are very adaptable to human dominated environments. They are considered a mid-sized deer with the ability to jump up to 2 metres, occasionally a little higher.
Deer are creatures of habit and will return to the same areas regularly, so acting early to discourage their browsing of valued vegetation will reduce damage. There are various ways to lessen the impact of feeding, including protective structures (including fencing), habitat modification (providing more native vegetation for feeding), repellents, and planting deer resistant plants. In mid to late summer, bucks (male deer) will also rub...
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