• North Saanich council voted down an opportunity for residents on septic systems to seek federal financial assistance.
In August, MP Mylène Freeman from Quebec (Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel riding) requested support from North Saanich Council (among others) on motion M-400 — an initiative to seek establishment of a federal financial support system for the management of rural septic systems.
The staff recommendation to council was to receive Freeman’s request and support it, but council defeated it with Councillors Browne, Daly, Mearns and McBride opposed.
• Council tentatively appointed Coun. Celia Stock as a liaison to attend meetings of Sidney’s Community Development Commission.
Stock said she felt it was important to know what the Town of Sidney was planning in terms of development given the fact that the two municipalities sit so close together.
• The municipality will move into the public hearing process of the ongoing wildfire hazard area issue after council gave two readings of amending bylaws on the subject.
Council plans to axe the current wildfire hazard area development permit process and amend building and plumbing bylaws in hazard areas to minimize the risks when new homes are built.
The new bylaws will include things like chimneys being required to have spark arrestors and roofing material to meet approved fire requirements.
