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.

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  • Share Are weed killing products legal to use in Saanichton? on Facebook Share Are weed killing products legal to use in Saanichton? on Twitter Share Are weed killing products legal to use in Saanichton? on Linkedin Email Are weed killing products legal to use in Saanichton? link

    Are weed killing products legal to use in Saanichton?

    Lori Glasgow asked almost 6 years ago

    Hello,

    On private property, weed killing products are permitted. On municipal property, they are not.


  • Share who will bear the cost of increased infrastructure and services. Will taxes be increased only for those profiting from the infill revenue or all residents? Will the property taxes actually cover the cost of added households? on Facebook Share who will bear the cost of increased infrastructure and services. Will taxes be increased only for those profiting from the infill revenue or all residents? Will the property taxes actually cover the cost of added households? on Twitter Share who will bear the cost of increased infrastructure and services. Will taxes be increased only for those profiting from the infill revenue or all residents? Will the property taxes actually cover the cost of added households? on Linkedin Email who will bear the cost of increased infrastructure and services. Will taxes be increased only for those profiting from the infill revenue or all residents? Will the property taxes actually cover the cost of added households? link

    who will bear the cost of increased infrastructure and services. Will taxes be increased only for those profiting from the infill revenue or all residents? Will the property taxes actually cover the cost of added households?

    strongcommunities asked almost 6 years ago

    Thank you for your question. As development occurs, developers are required to pay Development Cost Charges to fund infrastructure needs, which are based on our growth projections (currently our Official Community Plan projects 1% or 70 units a year). Small developments such as single family lots or duplex developments that involve a subdivision are also required to pay DCCs for future infrastructure improvements.

    As a region grows in population, there will be additional infrastructure demands, but the advantage of infill housing is that the infrastructure is not spread out (as with urban sprawl) and therefore there are better public transportation options, more walkable neighbourhoods, and fewer kilometers of roads, sewer and water systems.

    Near the development site, it is feasible that in some cases local government would partner with the developer and make infrastructure improvements; for example, if a development requires a turning lane into/out of a property, the local government may wish to also add a bike lane funded through property taxes while the developer would be responsible for the turning lane. This is often a cost effective way for the local government to make improvements.


    Thank you for your question. As development occurs, developers are required to pay Development Cost Charges to fund infrastructure needs
    Thank you for your question. As development occurs developers are required to pay Development Cost Charges to fund infrastructure needs
  • Share With the municipality looking at infill and densification, I would like to know what can be done to make micro homes suitable as an option for infill housing. They could be a great option as they are small and more affordable (they can be of done properly), have a very low footprint and are altogether a more sustainable option. on Facebook Share With the municipality looking at infill and densification, I would like to know what can be done to make micro homes suitable as an option for infill housing. They could be a great option as they are small and more affordable (they can be of done properly), have a very low footprint and are altogether a more sustainable option. on Twitter Share With the municipality looking at infill and densification, I would like to know what can be done to make micro homes suitable as an option for infill housing. They could be a great option as they are small and more affordable (they can be of done properly), have a very low footprint and are altogether a more sustainable option. on Linkedin Email With the municipality looking at infill and densification, I would like to know what can be done to make micro homes suitable as an option for infill housing. They could be a great option as they are small and more affordable (they can be of done properly), have a very low footprint and are altogether a more sustainable option. link

    With the municipality looking at infill and densification, I would like to know what can be done to make micro homes suitable as an option for infill housing. They could be a great option as they are small and more affordable (they can be of done properly), have a very low footprint and are altogether a more sustainable option.

    Celeste asked almost 7 years ago

    Hello,

    Small homes can be built in Central Saanich as long as they comply with the BC Building Code, which would include being supported on and anchored to a foundation; small homes on wheels would not meet the code.

    A tiny house can be a form of infill, and would be considered similar to a secondary carriage house or cottage on a lot.  

    What we can do is make sure there are no barriers in the Land Use Bylaw and Official Community Plan; one example is to make sure we have no “minimum house size” requirements.

    Thank you for this great question. Your suggestion will be reviewed, along with all of the other comments we receive when we summarize and present community feedback.


  • Share Why approve zoning changes in areas where it is very undesirable to the neighbouring residents? Do we want a Langford west? Will we have to move away from where we have been content for so many years? on Facebook Share Why approve zoning changes in areas where it is very undesirable to the neighbouring residents? Do we want a Langford west? Will we have to move away from where we have been content for so many years? on Twitter Share Why approve zoning changes in areas where it is very undesirable to the neighbouring residents? Do we want a Langford west? Will we have to move away from where we have been content for so many years? on Linkedin Email Why approve zoning changes in areas where it is very undesirable to the neighbouring residents? Do we want a Langford west? Will we have to move away from where we have been content for so many years? link

    Why approve zoning changes in areas where it is very undesirable to the neighbouring residents? Do we want a Langford west? Will we have to move away from where we have been content for so many years?

    Kathryn asked almost 7 years ago

    Hello!

    At this time, no changes are proposed for zoning. We want to have a check-in with the community first to hear your perspective on housing and infill today before we undertake a policy review and before we prepare infill guidelines and regulations.

    What concerns you about infill and densification with respect to change and community connection? Do you have any suggestions that we should consider in the next phases of this project?

    We hope you will come by one of our two open houses this week to talk with staff.


  • Share What is affordable housing . Why destroy rural neighborhood with large lots for developers 2394 PROPERTIES for sale in greater Victoria,is this not enough Many properties and developments are underway now,not all sold why infill on Facebook Share What is affordable housing . Why destroy rural neighborhood with large lots for developers 2394 PROPERTIES for sale in greater Victoria,is this not enough Many properties and developments are underway now,not all sold why infill on Twitter Share What is affordable housing . Why destroy rural neighborhood with large lots for developers 2394 PROPERTIES for sale in greater Victoria,is this not enough Many properties and developments are underway now,not all sold why infill on Linkedin Email What is affordable housing . Why destroy rural neighborhood with large lots for developers 2394 PROPERTIES for sale in greater Victoria,is this not enough Many properties and developments are underway now,not all sold why infill link

    What is affordable housing . Why destroy rural neighborhood with large lots for developers 2394 PROPERTIES for sale in greater Victoria,is this not enough Many properties and developments are underway now,not all sold why infill

    David Russell asked almost 7 years ago

    Hi and thank you for your questions!

    Affordable housing means housing that households can afford to rent or purchase based on their income. According to CMHC, affordable housing means households spend no more than 30% of their gross income towards housing costs. For renters, that means rent plus utilities. For homeowners, that means mortgage plus utilities, property taxes, insurance, and strata fees if applicable. Infill housing and densification is not going to make housing more affordable in isolation, but it is one tool that our local government can exercise to help make a difference by providing more housing options in the community.

    Infill housing and densification is looking at concentrating housing in urban areas near shops, services, transit and where infrastructure and servicing is already in place or can be easily expanded. Through this approach, we aim to better preserve the rural and agricultural areas of Central Saanich, and avoid urban sprawl.

    Currently there are limited housing options for people who already live here to find housing that meets their changing needs. For example, seniors who are looking to downsize, or young couples with young children looking to upsize. Infill housing is intended to support more diverse housing options to meet the needs of everyone in our community, including more affordable housing than the traditional single-detached homes and larger rural properties.

    We would like to hear more about your concerns so we can consider them in the next phases of this project. Please feel free to reply, email us or come by one of the two open houses this week.

    Thank you again for your questions and comments.

Page last updated: 14 Sep 2022, 10:36 AM