Secondary Suite Study
Study Purpose
The purpose of this study is to: a) explore the issues; and b) look at possible regulations regarding the potential legalization of secondary suites south of McKenzie Avenue, with residents living in the study area. The study area was determined based on the need to look at a large enough area to capture a broad range of neighbourhoods, residents, households, single family housing types, lot sizes, and subdivision patterns.
Please note that the study area is just that, and does not imply that a similar review process would not occur in other areas of Saanich.
Residents living outside the study area are also welcome to complete the survey and/or provide written comments to the Planning Department. Input will be grouped based on a residents location either inside or outside the study area.
Process & Timeline
Resident’s feedback will be collected by the following means from May to September 14th:
a) Surveys (telephone, online and paper surveys, all with the same
questions);
b) Open Houses; and
c) Written Comments (e-mails & letters)
Notices regarding the process were posted on the Saanich Website and in Saanich News and Times Colonist over the past four (4) months, to help residents keep informed about the study.
Open Houses
Drop-in information Open Houses were held on the following dates/times/locations. The Open Houses presented the same information available through the online "virtual" Open House. The Open Houses in the community were held to ensure residents had numerous opportunities and ways of asking questions about the study and providing input.
- Wednesday June 10th, Municipal Hall, Council Chamber from 4:00-8:00
- Thursday July 16th, Municipal Hall, Council Chamber from 4:00-8:00
- Wednesday August 19th, Municipal Hall, Council Chamber from 4:00-8:00
- Thursday September 10th, Municipal Hall, Council Chamber from 4:00-8:00
Survey Results (Preliminary)
Click here to view the preliminary results.
When reading the survey results it is important to note that the information has been split into response categories which relate to how the information was collected.
“Statistically Significant” results reflect those surveys completed by telephone in early May this year. These results are statistically significant as the selection of individuals to complete the survey was random and the sample size (407) was large enough to provide an accurate reflection of how the greater population within the study area feels about the issue. The margin of error for the telephone survey was plus or minus 5%, 19 times out of 20.
“Self Selecting” results reflect those surveys completed on-line or paper copies completed at an Open House, at one of the Community Centers or at the Municipal Hall. This group is referred to as “Self Selectors” because they made the choice to obtain and complete the survey.
Additional information will be posted on this site as further analysis is done.
Council Review
All of the feedback provided by residents will be presented to Council for its review and consideration in early Fall of this year. Public input both written and verbal can also be provided directly to Council at that time.
If Council decides to legalize suites we would need to prepare a new zone which would outline all of the regulations. This zone would go through the standard Council review process, including a Public Hearing, giving people lots of opportunities to comment on the intricacies of the zone itself.
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