District of North Saanich
1620 Mills Road V8L 5S9 North Saanich, BC, Canada

The Spring Newsletter is live! Find out what's up in North Saanich including the latest on the Tree Protection Bylaw and Official Community Plan, Reay Creek trail options, Council message and more. Read more: northsaanich.ca/Spring-2021-Newsletter Get e-newsletters: northsaanich.ca/notifications

There are two new faces on our senior management team. Ben Martin, Director of Infrastructure Services, comes from the CRD. Rachel Dumas, Director of Corporate Services, joins us from the Township of Esquimalt. Please join us in welcoming Ben and Rachel to North Saanich!

Thanks to those community members who helped shape the Active Transportation Plan. The plan has been approved! We are now initiating further work to implement the plan starting with a design process for a crosswalk at Littlewood and Mills Road. northsaanich.ca/active-transportation

Join us for the Official Community Plan (OCP) online design workshop. Mon, May 17, 7 - 9pm - explore what the future of North Saanich may look like. Wed, May 19, 7 - 8pm - give your feedback on the land use concepts... Find out more: connectnorthsaanich.ca/ocp

Parks Canada and WSÁNE Leadership Council are excited to announce that McDonald Campground in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has been renamed SMONETEN. T...he new name comes from the local SENOEN language and means ‘fir pitch place’. Explore SMONETEN Campground and discover a new interpretive display and four hand-carved cedar panels. The display features the words of WSÁNE Elders and work of WSÁNE artists. To learn more about SMONETEN Campground, visit: http://ow.ly/DszV50EERYq REMINDER Follow BC’s public health authority guidance, and especially travel advisories. Visit Gulf Islands National Park Reserve COVID-19 page for information on what is open and closed. http://ow.ly/TgbF50EERYp We look forward to welcoming you when it is safe to do so

Reminder: The budget survey closes Tues, Feb 16. Help shape the 2021 District budget: connectnorthsaanich.ca/2021-budget

When snow starts falling, our hardworking crews are out day and night to maintain North Saanich roadways and keep them as safe as possible. Please keep roads clear of parked vehicles. View the snow clearing priorities: northsaanich.ca/snow

Last chance to tell us what you think about the draft North Saanich Active Transportation Plan. Survey closes Feb 10. connectnorthsaanich.ca/active-transportation-plan

Public participation for Council and Committee of the Whole meetings is back! Participate via zoom at the February 8 Council meeting. You need to register by noon on the day of the meeting. Full details http://ow.ly/ELoF50Drsv0

The District of North Saanich and Circular Farm have agreed in principle to lease terms for the Sandown Agricultural Lands. The site will be home to the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, offering a range of programs and services: sandowncentre.com The agreement is for a 10 year term and includes funding for the first three years. Find out more and read the agreement: northsaanich.ca/sandown

We're updating the Tree Protection Bylaw and need to hear from you! Tell us your priorities for tree protection on private property. Visit connectnorthsaanich.ca/tree-bylaw to find out more, complete the online survey and add your ideas (survey and ideas tool close December 14).

View agenda for Mon, Nov 16, Council agenda at northsaanich.ca/council-meetings. Topics include: Tsehum & Shoal Harbours Update Open Burning/Green Waste Facility Operations New bylaws to align rules with current practice for Open Burning and Fire Prevention and Regulation

Today, we give thanks to veterans, peace keepers, and active forces for their service and sacrifice.

Stay safe and limit your outdoor time today.

Reminder that the Municipal Hall and administrative services at Wain Road Fire Hall will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, in recognition of Remembrance Day. We give thanks to our veterans, peace keepers, and active forces for their service and sacrifice.

Just a few days left to tell us what you think about active transportation and outdoor burning/green waste. Both surveys close on Mon, Aug 17. connectnorthsaanich.ca

Many interesting topics on Monday's (Aug 17) Council meeting agenda including reports on Sandown, maintenance for Eaglehurst and parking along Glynnwood Park Rd. View the agenda and watch the meeting live at 7pm northsaanich.ca/council-meetings

Last week to fill out the active transportation survey (closes Aug 17). Help us make it easier and safer to walk, ride and roll in North Saanich. There will be further opportunities for input when the plan is drafted. connectnorthsaanich.ca

North Saanich homeowners, did you know that you can get a rebate of up to $350 to convert to an electric heat pump from a fossil fuel heating system? Find out more about this and other rebates offered through Clean BC. northsaanich.ca/cleanbc

The library wants to hear from you!

Reminder: Residential and farm properties have until end of day Fri, Jul 31 to pay property taxes before a 3% penalty is applied on August 1, 2020. An additional penalty of 7% will be applied to unpaid balances on October 1, 2020. https://northsaanich.ca///property-tax-penalties-interest/

Help shape the District's Active Transportation Plan. Fill out the survey (closes Aug 17), drop a pin on the map and find out more: connectnorthsaanich.ca/active-transportation-plan

From Mon Jul 27 to Nov 2020 expect traffic delays on West Saanich Rd. for the Scoter Trail Rehabilitation project. Where: 10251 to 10345 West Saanich Rd. (Munro Rd to Tseycum First Nations) When: July 27 to Nov 2020, 7am - 4pm M-F... About the project: northsaanich.ca/scoter-trail

Checkout the #transitdance!

Starting Mon July 27, expect traffic delays on Mills Rd near the intersection with MacDonald Park Rd for the extension of the sanitary sewer system. Where: 1946 to 1974 Mills Rd When: Jul to Sep 2020, 7am - 4pm M-F... northsaanich.ca/trafficadvisory

Help shape the future of North Saanich! The District wants to hear from you about the rules for outdoor burning and green waste and plans for the active transportation network. Find out more and complete the surveys on our new engagement site connectnorthsaanich.ca

Reminder: Submissions for the Public Hearing on Monday, July 13 must be received by noon on Monday. Find out more about the public hearing to consider removing the Panaroma Recreation Site from the Agricultural Land Reserve northsaanich.ca/1885-forest-park

What's on the Committee of the Whole (2pm) and Council (7pm) meeting agendas for Mon, Jul 13? Wain Park pickleball courts, climate change planning, long-term maintenance of Eaglehurst and much more. View full agendas and watch live at northsaanich.ca/council-meetings

Reminder: The deadline to participate in Monday evening's Public Hearing is tomorrow (Thurs, Jul 9) at 4 p.m. The Public Hearing is to consider an Official Community Plan Amendment and Agricultural Land Commission Exclusion application for 1885 Forest Park Dr (Panorama Rec) to remove the site from the Agricultural Land Reserve. Submissions are being accepted until noon Mon (Jul 13). northsaanich.ca/1885-forest-park

Thank you to the majority of property owners in North Saanich who paid their property taxes on time in this very unusual and difficult year. For those of you that need a little more time, you have until July 31, 2020 before penalties start being incurred (Sep 30 for business).

Thanks to everyone who donated to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank at the green waste drop-off while fees were waived. $5,000 was raised! We are now back to regular fees for drop-off (cash payment only). Next drop-off date is Sat, July 4, 8am - noon. northsaanich.ca/green-waste

The District is holding a Public Hearing on Mon, July 13 at 7pm at Municipal Hall to consider an Official Community Plan Amendment and Agricultural Land Commission Exclusion application for 1885 Forest Park Dr (Panorama Rec) to remove the site from the Agricultural Land Reserve. This is being done to increase flexibility of use in order to allow for future recreational or cultural development at the site. Read more and find out how to participate at northsaanich.ca/1885-forest-park

Reminder: The deadline to apply for the homeowner grant is Thursday, July 2. You can claim your homeowner grant online: https://onlineservices.northsaanich.ca:9191/

The District is holding a Special Council meeting this Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m. The agenda includes a financial presentation from the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture. View the full agenda and watch live at northsaanich.ca/council-meetings

We're pleased to announce that the District has received a grant from the Ministry of Transportation for the development of the District's Active Transportation Plan. The grant will fund 50% (to a maximum of $50,000). The District will be launching engagement on the plan this summer. http://ow.ly/AIoD50Ai1t5

Download the full homeowners guide to learn how to FireSmart your property at www.firesmartbc.ca/

The North Saanich Free Ride park is open for the season (weather dependent). Please follow the guidelines for safe use. Visit North Saanich Freeride Park for more information.

Bear sighting in Ardmore. Please use caution, keep pets on leash and secure your garbage.

The June 22 public hearing for the rezoning application at 8650 Aldous Terrace has been cancelled. However, a Special Council meeting is being held on June 22 at 7pm. Council will consider a non-farm use application for 10375 Wilson Rd and a development variance permit for 405 Nootka Rd. View agenda and watch live at northsaanich.ca/council-meetings

Great info about reducing wildfire hazards near your house.

District commission and committee meetings are now being videotaped and posted online. View videos and agendas at northsaanich.ca/council-meetings.

Reminder: Council meeting, Mon, Jun 15 at 7pm. Council will be considering beach access at Glenelg/Glynnwood (re-opening) and Downey Rd (modifications), traffic and safety concerns at KELSET Elementary, and more. View agenda and watch live at northsaanich.ca/council-meetings

Check out the latest message from Council with tons of great info about what's going on around the community: http://ow.ly/w7Dg50A5CTg

Wondering about the active development sign at Panorama Rec? The District is seeking to exclude the site from the Agricultural Land Reserve and update the Official Community Plan to allow for future recreational or cultural development on the property, such as a library. Find out more at northsaanich.ca/north-saanich-library

All District playgrounds have re-opened. Please follow the public health safety guidelines to protect yourself and others. Please be aware that playground equipment is not being cleaned or disinfected. northsaanich.ca/parks-recreation

Tomorrow is green waste drop-off day from 8 a.m. to noon (Sat, June 6). While drop-off is free until the end of June, please consider making a donation to the @SaanPenFoodBank. Visit northsaanich.ca/green-waste for info and schedule.

Municipal hall will re-open tomorrow (Mon, Jun 1) at 8 a.m. for people paying property taxes and utility bills in-person only. If you can, please pay online through your bank. Only come to the hall as a last resort and follow the signs and markings for physical distancing.

The District is holding a Special Council Meeting on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. Council will be considering changes to outdoor burning and the green waste operation, adoption of the 2020-23 Strategic Plan, sign bylaw and sponsorship signage in parks. Visit northsaanich.ca/council-meetings to view the agenda and watch the meeting live.

Municipal hall will re-open on Mon, Jun 1 for people paying property taxes and utility bills in-person. If you can, please pay online. Only come to the hall as a last resort and follow the signs and markings for physical distancing. Pay online northsaanich.ca/online-services

Reminder: Special Council meeting tonight at 7pm. Council will consider expansion of parking at Cy Hampson Park and the Request for Proposals for the District's Official Community Plan review. View agenda/watch livestream: http://northsaanich.ca/council-meetings

FireSmart your home!