Let's Talk Housing

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This project has now concluded.

About the project: In the spring of 2018, we started a community conversation about future growth management through residential infill and densification. With community feedback and research in hand, we are drafting a new Housing Policy that will help shape the update of our Official Community Plan, and will lead to updated design guidelines and the establishment of development permit areas, as well as amendments to the Land Use Bylaw.

The infill study has looked at:

    • densification of village centres,
    • small lot infill,
    • duplexes,
    • panhandle lot subdivisions,
    • carriage houses,
    • tiny houses,
    • multi-use four-stories,
    • and a review of existing zoning regulations to remove any barriers to housing.

In the summer of 2019, we came back to the community with draft guidelines and policies. At open houses and through a survey, we gathered feedback from the public. Now we are preparing a What We Heard report to share with you, and then we will be working on recommendations for Council to consider.

We want your input!

  1. Please read the proposed regulations for infill housing here.
  2. Ask questions and offer feedback by emailing planning@csaanich.ca or calling the Planning Department at 250-544-4209.

This project has now concluded.

About the project: In the spring of 2018, we started a community conversation about future growth management through residential infill and densification. With community feedback and research in hand, we are drafting a new Housing Policy that will help shape the update of our Official Community Plan, and will lead to updated design guidelines and the establishment of development permit areas, as well as amendments to the Land Use Bylaw.

The infill study has looked at:

    • densification of village centres,
    • small lot infill,
    • duplexes,
    • panhandle lot subdivisions,
    • carriage houses,
    • tiny houses,
    • multi-use four-stories,
    • and a review of existing zoning regulations to remove any barriers to housing.

In the summer of 2019, we came back to the community with draft guidelines and policies. At open houses and through a survey, we gathered feedback from the public. Now we are preparing a What We Heard report to share with you, and then we will be working on recommendations for Council to consider.

We want your input!

  1. Please read the proposed regulations for infill housing here.
  2. Ask questions and offer feedback by emailing planning@csaanich.ca or calling the Planning Department at 250-544-4209.

  • Draft policies and design guidelines now available

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    The full Residential Infill and Densification Draft Policies and Guidelines staff report is now available online. This contains the draft policies and guidelines, as well as background and a list of recommendations. The report and drafts will go to Committee of the Whole on Monday, December 9, 2019, at 7 p.m. A summary of the recommendations is also available.

    If you have feedback on the draft policies or guidelines, there will be notice of a public hearing in early 2020. You are also welcome to contact Council.

    Next Steps
    If Council endorses the report's recommendations at the December 16 Council meeting, staff will begin work on the formal bylaw amendments, which will be brought back to Council for their review in early 2020.

    A public hearing will be scheduled in early 2020 before any recommendations are formally adopted. If you have feedback on the recommendations, you may contact Council or attend the public hearing (and update will be posted when it is scheduled).

  • What We Heard! Summary of Phase 2 of Community Consultation

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    This past summer, staff came back to the community with draft guidelines and policies based on the feedback and research gathered during Phase 1 of the residential infill and densification study.


    The public feedback was gathered at open houses and through a survey; we had more than 130 people attend the open houses and close to 200 surveys completed from a range of age groups and neighbourhoods.

    Residents, stakeholders and staff discussed infill housing typologies for Central Saanich, draft housing policy, and best practices regarding street design and parking. There were clear themes, such as ensuring adequate parking, and more, which you can ready about in the What We Heard Report.

    What we heard will help to inform the final Housing Policy and infill design guidelines. Once drafted, staff will present the draft to stakeholders and to Council.

    Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Please stay tuned for updates, including the Council presentation to come later this fall.

  • Review draft guidelines and policy

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    The draft policy and design guidelines are almost ready for your review!

    This work incorporates the feedback we heard during public consultation last spring—many residents talked of wanting carriage homes and small lot infill, particularly for young families and seniors; we also heard about wanting to maintain green space, walkability, privacy and address parking needs (to name a few).

    Come out and see the guidelines and policy and talk to staff at one of two open houses. These are casual, drop in events of identical formats so you can choose the date that best suits your calendar.

    Let’s Talk Housing

    Thursday, June 13, 4-8 p.m. – Municipal Hall, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road

    Saturday, June 22, noon-4 p.m. – Cultural Centre, 1209 Clarke Road

    Can’t make it? We will post all the materials here at letstalkcentralsaanich.ca/housing so you can review and comment.


  • What We Heard! Summary of Phase 1 of Community Consultation

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    Over 200 people took the project's first survey and 120 people attended the two open houses hosted by the District. The report is available Here.

    Below is an at-a-glance summary of the reoccurring themes from group discussions and one-on-one conversations staff had with attendees at the Open Houses.

    Key themes of support related to the project process and residential infill and densification:

    • General support for infill housing in areas that can support increased density (i.e. arterial roads, village centres);
    • Significant interest in carriage houses and small lot infill, particularly for young families and seniors;
    • Increasing housing options through secondary suites; • Enthusiasm surrounding the anticipated OCP review;
    • Interest in developing a policy framework to guide the development of infill housing;
    • Increased housing supply will improve housing affordability;
    • Concentrating new housing in areas with existing development will help to protect farmland and the Agricultural Land Reserve.
    Key themes of concern related to the project process and residential infill and densification:
    • Potential loss of mature landscaping and green space;
    • Parking requirements for additional units and traffic associated with increased density;
    • Recent development and scale identified as a source of concern;
    • Potential loss of neighbourhood character, privacy, and views;
    • Additional infrastructure required before new units can be constructed; and
    • Neighbourhood walkability is a priority; improvements to pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure are needed.
    Questions from participants related to the project process and residential infill and densification:
    • How is the 1% growth rate used to control development?
    • Why is the District completing a Residential Infill and Densification Study?
    • What kind of infill housing can I build on my property?
    • What is the project timeline?
    • How are developments approved and what is the role of Council?
    • How will infill housing be regulated?
    • What is the strategy for densification on larger lots, such as lands zoned Rural Estate Acreage?
    • Who will live in infill housing?
Page last updated: 14 Sep 2022, 10:36 AM