Official Community Plan Review

Thank you for you feedback. We are sorry to hear you had a frustrating time completing the survey. We specifically prepared a Phase 3 Engagement Background Materials document, hosted on our project page in advance of the spring 2022 engagement. We hope that you were able to join us at one of the three open houses to have any additional questions answered. As we do not yet have a draft plan, we do not have all the details, these were intended to be high-level policy directions to gather community feedback at this point in the process. All feedback from the engagement activities will be collated into an engagement summary and will help shape the recommendations to Council on how to proceed with drafting the OCP. Please subscribe for project updates to stay informed.

Thank you for your question.The Flight Path is on Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) property. The VAA has been identified as a stakeholder and we are collaborating with them as part of the OCP review process. We would highlight that a portable outhouse is available at Patricia Bay Park, across from the Flight Path and West Saanich Road. Thanks again for your interest in the OCP review, please subscribe for project updates to stay informed.

Thank you for your questions and comments. We are currently in Phase 2 of the OCP review. Some of the initial policy directions regarding forests and tree cover that were developed in Phase 2 in response to what we heard through engagement include:

Enhance Forests and the Tree Canopy

• Douglas-fir & Garry Oak ecosystem enhancement and conservation
  • These two unique and critical ecosystems have faced tremendous stress over the years as urban growth, development, roads, logging, agriculture and more have contributed to the loss and fragmentation of habitat and native species.
• Tree protection bylaw
  • A revised tree protection bylaw could support the protection, preservation and conservation of trees on private property, including their physical, societal, economic and environmental characteristics
• Community Forest Strategy
  • Given the diversity of neighbourhoods and landscapes across North Saanich, a Forest Management Strategy could help identify important tree stands and unique tree canopies while tailoring conservation and enhancement strategies for each.

We are currently preparing to report back to Council on November 22 with a revised Phase 2 engagement summary and revised schedule, budget and detailed plan for further engagement with the public on the OCP themes for Phase 3 (Drafting the Plan). Phase 3 will include more technical analysis regarding the land use options and associated infrastructure. Please also visit the Tree Protection Bylaw review page and subscribe for project updates to stay informed.

Thank you for your question and comment. The Transportation Association of Canada released the Canadian Roundabout Design Guide in 2017. This guide provides Canadian jurisdictions with comprehensive information and guidance to the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and safety of roundabouts. In the District of North Saanich we evaluate traffic improvements based on data and would not preclude a 'roundabout' when considering changes to a traffic intersection.

Thank you for your follow-up question. The current OCP outlines the justification for Queen Mary Bay as a special development area and includes policy statements and planning principles (Section 13.5). As part of the OCP review we will look at the special development areas and consider whether the policies still align with the community's vision. Please subscribe for project updates to stay informed.

Thank you for your question. The purpose of the neighbourhood nook concept is to allow a neighbourhood serving shop or café use within a walking distance of residential areas. These locations were selected based on their proximity to existing or planned bike routes, bus routes, and as a gathering place for residents. 

Thank you for your comments and question. This intersection is currently under review by District staff to determine if additional treatment is merited.  We rely on the Transportation Association of Canada guidelines in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices which is used across Canada as a reference for roadway treatments.  For the intersection at Wain Road and West Saanich Road we are most interested in the overall volume, volume split between legs, pedestrian count and speed.  We typically use collected data for rational to augment roadway treatment.  Staff are planning on completing a warrant analysis late this year. 

Thank you for your question. Building on what we've heard, the OCP Design Workshop resulted in the initial emerging concepts. Further technical analysis will take place in the Fall to analyze the limitations and/or implications of some of the concepts, this will lead to further refinements and additional engagement as we begin to draft the OCP. Please subscribe for project updates to stay informed.

Thank you for your comments and question. One of the emerging concepts that we are gathering initial feedback on is the McTavish Village Centre concept, that includes the Panorama site. Please join us at one of our June pop-up events to provide initial feedback on the emerging concepts. In-depth engagement on the emerging concepts will take place in Fall. Please subscribe for project updates to stay informed. 

Thank you for your question. One of the emerging concepts that we are gathering initial feedback on is the McTavish Village Centre concept. Please join us at one of our June pop-up events to provide initial feedback on the emerging concepts. In-depth engagement on the emerging concepts will take place in Fall. Please subscribe for project updates to stay informed.