September 15, 2026
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: September 14, 2026
Sidney BC
Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to sidney.civicweb.net/Portal for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.
Council reviews Bowerbank Road Neighborhood Bikeway monitoring results and directs staff to report back on alternative approaches
Council received a report monitoring use of the Bowerbank Road Neighborhood Bikeway, along with traffic impacts on neighbouring streets. The report found that the bikeway achieved its primary objective of reducing traffic volumes and vehicle speeds on Bowerbank Road and Siddall Road creating conditions that meet recognized All Ages and Abilities cycling standards. The report also found the new active transportation facilities are being used regularly, with approximately 181 cyclists and 222 pedestrians per day recorded on the Bowerbank corridor, and 218 cyclists and 180 pedestrians per day recorded on Siddall Road, with numbers expected to increase over time as residents and visitors become more familiar with the route. Monitoring confirmed that traffic was being redistributed to Resthaven Drive and neighbourhood connector roads.
In response to concerns raised by community members about traffic impacts and the bikeway design, Council directed staff to bring forward a preliminary report to the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 21 outlining potential alternative approaches for the bikeway, a breakdown of project costs, and the implications for provincial grant funding if Council were to remove or modify bikeway elements, particularly the traffic diversions at Calvin Avenue and Siddall Road.
Council plans to consider a 40 km/h speed limit on Resthaven Drive between Mills Road and McDonald Park Road at a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
Staff Report Video
Council does not support proposed borrowing for new recreation facility in Central Saanich
Council has decided not to support a Capital Regional District borrowing bylaw of up to $9.114 million to fund a proposed regional recreation facility in Central Saanich. The proposal had been revised since it was previously considered earlier this year, with the project scope reduced and the proposed borrowing amount lowered from $14.2 million.
The decision was made after Council considered community input on the request, recognizing that borrowing costs would be shared among Sidney, North Saanich, and Central Saanich taxpayers. The request was brought forward by the Capital Regional District’s Peninsula Recreation Commission, a subregional service that provides recreation facilities and programming across all three municipalities.
Central Saanich Recreation Facility Project Overview Video
Council considers addition of public washroom and secure bike lockers at proposed Sidney Transit Hub
Council received an update from BC Transit on the proposed Sidney Transit Hub at Seventh Street and Bevan Avenue, which would serve as a future RapidBus station and transit exchange. The presentation included a draft 60% design for the project. The design reflects community and stakeholder engagement conducted by BC Transit in the summer of 2025, as well as Council feedback.
As part of the presentation, BC Transit identified several optional amenities that could be added if the Town covered the cost, including secure bike lockers and a public washroom. Council directed staff to report back on the feasibility and costs of adding these amenities to the proposed transit hub. For the project to move forward to construction, BC Transit would need to secure provincial funding for the broader transit hub project based on an approved design.
BC Transit Presentation Video
Council adopts updated Development Cost Charges and new Amenity Cost Charges to support growth
Council adopted updated Development Cost Charges (DCC) and new Amenity Cost Charges (ACC) bylaws, which will help ensure new development contributes toward the cost of infrastructure and community amenities needed to support growth. The Town’s previous DCC bylaw had not been updated since 1998. The updated program is projected to generate more than $22 million over the next 20 years for infrastructure such as water, sewer, drainage, parks, and roads. The new rates were reduced following input from the development community and remain lower than many comparable municipalities in the region.
Council also gave first three readings to a related Waivers and Reductions Bylaw, which would allow eligible non-profit rental housing developments with at least 30% affordable units to receive up to a 50% reduction in DCC and ACC charges. The proposed bylaw is intended to support the creation of affordable housing while balancing the need to fund growth-related infrastructure and amenities.
Project Overview Video