Housing Strategy Task Force: Final Report

The Saanich Housing Task Force has completed their report on Housing
Strategy and direction for Saanich
to expand housing options, increase
housing supply, and improve housing affordability.

Recommendations in the report will outline strategies and associated actions for implementation over a 10-year time frame and identify 3 year priority actions in each of the five focus areas.

excerpt from the task force’s terms of reference

Shown below are the list of top priorities as determined by the task force. Within the report, under each priority are grouped numerous recommended actions for Saanich to pursue.

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2859 Richmond Road virtual open house: March 10, 7 pm – 8 pm

The houses surrounding this proposed development will be receiving or have already received news of this event. For those outside the normal canvassing area but interested, here’s the info:

WhenWed, March 10, 2021 7:00pm – 8:00pm PST
WhereZoom virtual meeting
How to attendRSVP by
+ browse to www.urbanthrive.ca/lets-talk
+ email hello@urbanthrive.ca
+ phone 250-896-4667

From the event notice and invitation:

We’re planning new homes in your community and we’d love your feedback!

We are preparing a proposal for 9 car-free townhomes at 2859 Richmond Road. These homes are centred around making a sustainable mobility lifestyle – walking, transit and cycling – practical, convenient and fun. To our knowledge, this project will be the first of its kind in North America.

Car-free homes are fundamentally different from traditional car-orientated development. By removing car garages and drive aisles, we are able to provide more livable, sustainable and affordably priced housing that integrates seamlessly with the existing neighbourhood.

excerpt from invitation to 2859 Richmond Road virtual open house
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Queenston neighbourhood’s Little Free Food Pantry: now open

The Queenston neighbourhood’s Little Free Food Pantry is now open for use at the corner of Queenston and Townley Streets.

map showng where pantry lives
map courtesy of Apple Maps via duckduckgo.com

This community project has been set up in response to the food scarcity and insecurity challenges within our greater community. A neighbourhood resident has kindly offered to have the pantry placed on her property, 2810 Queenston St., which offers optimal visibility and pedestrian traffic.

The Little Free Food Pantry concept is similar to that of the Little Free Libraries you see around Victoria. Anyone is welcome to access the food pantry to “take what you need and give what you can”. Donations of non-perishable food items in their original sealed packaging are welcomed – simply place them in the pantry when you are out for a walk. A list of acceptable and recommended items is posted on the side of the pantry.

The Little Free Food Pantry concept is similar to that of the Little Free Libraries you see around Victoria. Anyone is welcome to access the food pantry to “take what you need and give what you can”. Donations of non-perishable food items in their original sealed packaging are welcomed – simply place them in the pantry when you are out for a walk. A list of acceptable and recommended items is posted on the side of the pantry.

Your individual food donations are welcomed, and you are encouraged to check for and take items that you may need. Please spread the good word about the Little Free Food Pantry to your neighbours!

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Please be a Friend to Bowker Creek

The Friends of Bowker Creek Society is seeking your help and support. Can you imagine seeing spawning salmon – chinook and chum – plus trout swimming through our Saanich neighbourhood? This is part of their long term vision to restore much of what urbanization has removed from this watershed.

Our purpose is to support the restoration and
enhancement of Bowker Creek and its watershed
to a healthy state, guided by the vision and goals
of the Bowker Creek Blueprint – a 100-year action plan
to restore the Bowker Creek Watershed.

FoBC information & membership pamphlet

Please review this FoBC pamphlet and get involved. A membership form is included, and tells you how you may support their efforts.

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January 14, 2021 board minutes

The minutes of the January 14, 2021 meeting of the CCA board of directors may be found here.

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Allenby Park Refresh for 2021

It’s a year out before shovels hit dirt, but Saanich is planning to replace the playground equipment and renew the sportcourt area at Allenby Park in 2021. Allenby Park lies east of Dean Ave, between Allenby St to the north and Townley St to the south.

Planning begins soon, and it starts with a survey to gather your thoughts on this topic. From January 18 to Februay 21, the Saanich website will have a link to the survey. You may contact Saanich Parks if you would like a paper copy of the survey by phoning 250 475-5522.

Until the survey opens, please read about Allenby Park, and prepare your thoughts for January 18th!

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Storm Water Management Concerns Prompt Survey

An application related to 1971 Ernest Ave to use a water retention system in lieu of a municipal storm water connection prompted the CCA to survey residents in that area.

The CCA canvassed the neighbourhood to gain broader insight on resident’s position [sic] on the proposed variance to the bylaw and to find out, how widespread the problem of flooding is around Ernest Ave and adjacent and down stream properties.

Letter to Mayor and Council from CCA

You may read this letter to Mayor and Council, with a summary of the survey’s finding, here.

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November 12, 2020 board meeting minutes

The minutes of the November 12, 2020 meeting of the CCA board of directors may be found here.

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Committee of the Whole Meetings

At Committee of the Whole meetings, residents have the opportunity to provide their comments to Council. You may speak up to five minutes on an agenda item. You may indicate your support or opposition to a Committee of the Whole agenda item in one of the following ways:

Submit written comments to Council:

It is strongly recommended that you provide your comments by email to council@saanich.ca or by postal mail to

Mayor and Council
District of Saanich
770 Vernon Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8X 2W7.

The deadline to receive submissions is 12:00 p.m., noon, on the day of the meeting.

Register to speak to a Committee of the Whole agenda item via telephone:

  • By emailing the meeting date, meeting type and agenda item(s) to council@saanich.ca; or
  • By calling 250-475-5501 and specifying which meeting date, meeting type and agenda item(s) you wish to speak to.

Once you register, you will be sent an email with further instructions.

Please note the following instructions for when you call in:

  • Your comments must be relevant to the item being considered.
  • You will have five (5) minutes to speak.
  • Turn off all audio of the meeting. There is approximately a 1-2 minute delay in the live stream so please listen to the cues given over the phone.
  • Do not put your phone on speakerphone.
  • Once you make your comments to Council, the call will end abruptly so that the next speaker can join the meeting.
  • You will be put on hold in a queue for the respective item, and you will be connected as soon as possible. If you hang up during this time, you will lose your place in the queue.

If you miss the registration period, please watch the live meeting as there will be an opportunity for you to call in for a limited period of time. All meetings are streamed live at this URL.

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Braefoot Presents: The Great Adventure

Over at the Braefoot Community Association, they’re fighting back against COVID cheerlessness and pandemic panic by hosting The Great Adventure! This photo scavenger hunt will have you searching around Saanich and the surrounding municipalities with you and the other willing victims from within your COVID bubble.

This event has already started! …so if you want to join in, use the 2nd link above, read the rules, and get going! It’s predicted to be fairly clear weather up to the end of the event, Dec. 6 at 4 pm; as good as conditions may be for outdoors adventures on southern Vancouver Island this time of year.

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