Proposed Updated Shelbourne Valley Plan moves to a public hearing

March 2, 2026

Information Bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The Proposed Updated Shelbourne Valley Plan (Proposed SVP) will be moving forward to a public hearing later this year, giving residents another opportunity to give their input on the plan.  

At a Council meeting on February 24, 2026, Council passed the motion to move the Proposed SVP to a public hearing with three amendments to the Plan, which were:

  • Changing the "Shelbourne Valley Centre" designation to Shelbourne Valley Village." This will reduce the maximum building height in this area from 12 to 6 storeys;
  • Extending the northern boundary to designate selected properties as Urban Townhomes between Shelbourne Street and Lambrick Park Secondary School; and
  • Elevating watershed health as a guiding principle and strengthening mechanisms tied to measurable watershed outcomes.

The Proposed SVP is a Centre, Corridor and Village Plan which builds on broader directions of the Official Community Plan (OCP) and reflects trends, community needs, and District-wide priorities over the next 20-30 years.

The updated Plan is a revision of the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan that was originally adopted in 2017. The updated Plan aligns with the current OCP and other recently adopted District plans and projects.

Plan highlights
In addition to Council direction, the Proposed SVP includes:

  • Updated land use designations for all properties in the Shelbourne Valley Plan area, in line with the OCP land use framework and Housing Needs Report and reflecting public input;
  • Improved History, Demographic, Housing, Transportation and Mobility, and Heritage sections to reflect up-to-date information;
  • Updated information on the Short-term Mobility Actions and other implementation items identified in the 2017 Plan;
  • New section on Climate Planning to advance District-wide climate goals;
  • Directions from the Urban Forest Strategy, Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, updated Bowker Creek Blueprint (on-going) and Daylighting Feasibility Study, to enhance the environment and improve watershed health in the Plan area.

Background

  • The Shelbourne Valley Action Plan was originally adopted in 2017 and has been an important tool in guiding land use and transportation changes in the Shelbourne Valley.
  • A key implementation item of the 2017 Plan was the Shelbourne Street Improvements Project (SSIP), which is focused on enhancing pedestrian, cycling and transit facilities and replacing underground utility infrastructure. The SSIP is in its final phase of construction and expected to be complete by 2026. The SSIP and design of Shelbourne Street are out of scope in the Shelbourne Valley Plan update.
  • The Updated SVP’s land use framework is being revised to align with the recently updated OCP (2024) and support the District’s goal of accommodating the majority of population and employment growth in Centres, Corridors and Villages.

Learn more
To view the plan and more information, visit: Saanich.ca/SVP.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca