Context
Well designed and maintained municipal water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage are important services for homes and businesses in Central Saanich. A high quality, efficient municipal infrastructure system also serves to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Central Saanich, like many other jurisdictions, is facing the challenge of aging infrastructure systems nearing the end of their serviceable life. While the municipality is responsible for the provision of local water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage facilities, the Capital Regional District is responsible for trunk services and sewage treatment.
The District will continue to assess the condition of municipal infrastructure, and implement a planned replacement/rehabilitation schedule. The District of Central Saanich will also collaborate with the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nations for updating servicing agreements and addressing infrastructure planning, construction, and maintenance.
A. Effective Management
Effectively manage public expenditures on municipal infrastructure. Improvements to municipal infrastructure are guided by the Asset Management Plan with a long-term vision to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the needs of the existing and projected population
B. Collaborative
Partner with the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) Nations in the provision of water and sewer services, fire protection services, road improvements, and an active transportation network serving First Nations lands.
C. Manage Water Resources using Best Practices
Ensure water resources are used efficiently with a stable supply over the long term and reduced loading on the sewer system, as well as implement the principles identified in the Integrated Stormwater Management Strategy where feasible.
D. Safe and Efficient
Incorporate active transportation infrastructure and ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and services in ongoing road improvements.
E. Climate Action
Acknowledge that municipal operations are within the District’s realm of responsibility and influence and strive for a significant shift to more efficient, low emission vehicles, and to maintain carbon neutral operations in order to achieve our climate action goals. Climate mitigation and adaptation will continue to be considered as part of infrastructure improvements.
1. Collaborate with the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) Nations on delivery of infrastructure services and update servicing agreements that also anticipate future needs.
2. Collaborate with Saanich peninsula municipalities, W̱SÁNEĆ Nations, and the Capital Regional District (CRD) to implement recommendations and initiatives put forward by the Saanich Peninsula Wastewater Commission. Ensure municipal infrastructure improvements consider long-term sustainability, future growth, green infrastructure enhancements, and low impact development strategies and incorporate designs that consider climate disaster and emergency response.
3. Monitor the District’s Development Cost Charge (DCC) Program through a tracking system that includes information about the estimated costs, the actual construction costs, and the funding sources for the project, as well as update the DCC Bylaw periodically to reflect current costs and project identification.
4. As part of the development approval process, ensure that development proposals can provide adequate services to the development, which may require improvements to municipal services funded by the proponent. Where infrastructure improvements are needed, consider requiring excess capacity as part of the improvement and use Latecomer Agreements for cost recovery.
5. Where a neighbourhood or business area is requesting local improvements above identified servicing levels, consider the use of a Local Service Tax to ensure the cost of those improvements are borne primarily by those property owners who benefit.
6. As outlined in Section 473 of the Local Government Act, an OCP is required to include statements and map designations respecting the approximate location and phasing of major road, sewer, and water services. The District is currently updating the Asset Management Plan to guide improvements to municipal infrastructure projects for the future. Infrastructure improvements for improving the Active Transportation Network are identified in the Active Transportation Plan and will occur as funding allows or in conjunction with other improvements as opportunities arise. Currently, the next anticipated major projects include:
- Road improvements: the KeatingHighway Flyover in coordination with the Province, and a pedestrian facility along Central Saanich Road south of Mount Newton Cross Road;
- Sewer infrastructure: the Brentwood forced main and associated pump stations, that would include active transportation improvements; and c. Water infrastructure: the Sean Heights fire flow improvements.
7. Generally, municipal water and sewer systems are not provided outside of the Urban Containment Boundary, and where services are provided, they are not to support increasing development beyond what is permitted by the applicable land use regulations. Extensions to water or sewer utilities may be considered in accordance with Council Policies regarding Utility Extension (Policy No: 01.Eng) and Sewage Enterprise Area Expansion (Policy No: 02.Eng) as may be amended from time to time.
8. Give full consideration to the value of the District’s natural assets when integrating and replacing infrastructure or other assets, and consider establishing a natural assets inventory that catalogues the full extent of the benefits and services rendered by natural areas.
9. Continue work to address inflow and infiltration into the municipal systems to manage system loading and capacity concerns.
10. Consider the extension of water services to service agricultural uses. Where water service is extended to service agriculture, water service may be provided to residential units along the serviced line to serve the dwelling, but not for the purposes of developing the land beyond what is permitted by the applicable land use regulations.
11. All future developments within the Urban Containment Boundary should be fully serviced with appropriate water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater drainage services. Where on-site services exist, the District may require connections to municipal infrastructure when they become available to the property line or within a reasonable distance.
12. Support provincial implementation of the Water Sustainability Act and its regulations on the use of ground and surface water and encourage the Province to share data obtained through licensing programs and related assessment of water usage with local governments.
13. Collaborate with the District of Saanich, W̱SÁNEĆ Nations, and Peninsula and Area Agricultural Commission to consider measures to improve drainage in the McHugh-Noble Creek watershed.
14. Update regulatory bylaws as required to eliminate direct discharge of stormwater into watercourses in accordance with the District’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plan, unless the system is designed to mitigate negative impacts to fish habitat, creek flows, water quality and adjacent creek banks through reduced stormwater discharge rates, improved infiltration, and filtration.
15. Continue to coordinate with the CRD on the monitoring and enforcement of stormwater management bylaws and periodic review of regulations to ensure they remain consistent with best practices. 1
6. Consider consolidating existing District bylaws and regulations pertaining to stormwater management and maintenance into a single comprehensive engineering bylaw to better clarify the District’s requirements for development as recommended in the Integrated Stormwater Management Plan.
17. The road network for the District is largely established and major extensions of roadway are not anticipated. Where new roadways are proposed, they should follow natural contours of the land, not conflict with environmentally sensitive areas, and avoid habitat fragmentation.
18. New road improvements will primarily be for the purpose of incorporating active transportation infrastructure and improving accessibility.
19. Outside of the Urban Containment Boundary, the road network shall be retained at rural standards and designed to ensure the scenic beauty and rural character of the landscape are protected; rural roads may include active transportation infrastructure.
20. Work with BC Hydro and other utility providers to relocate utility poles and above ground infrastructure that conflict with pedestrian or cycling infrastructure.
21. When designing infrastructure improvement projects, consider implementing climate action measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and design systems to be resilient to the impacts of climate change (i.e., projected increases in the frequency and intensity of storm events).
22. Explore the use of new and alternative materials in the design and maintenance of municipal infrastructure that would improve carbon sequestration or provide improved performance for function and durability.
23. To support the goal that by 2050, the community will obtain 100% of its energy from renewable sources, continue the District’s gradual lighting replacement program and complete LED lighting and energy efficiency upgrades to facilities and street lighting.
24. Complete the update of the Asset Management Plan and use it to inform a five-year capital works plan for the construction and upgrading of municipal infrastructure.
25. Adopt an open ditch policy to identify a network of ditches that will remain open to provide suitable habitat and vegetation, and to support stream base flows and fish habitat. Where ditches must be closed to support active transportation or other infrastructure, environmental consideration or green infrastructure should be incorporated.
26. Update the Engineering Specifications and Standard Drawings: Works and Services General Provisions of the Land Use Bylaw to reflect best practices and incorporate relevant plans, such as the Integrated Stormwater Management Plan, Active Transportation Plan, and Saanichton Village Design Plan.
27. Update the following plans, including identifying priority projects and cost estimates for budget considerations:
- The Water Distribution Master Plan;
- The Sanitary Sewer Master Plan;
- The Transportation Master Plan; and
- The Stormwater Master Plan.
28. Review and update the Development Cost Charge Bylaw to keep current to relative costs and update the bylaw on a regular basis to allow for incremental increases rather than requiring significant cost increases at one time.