QCHCA’s Development Application Process

Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association's development and land use process begins when QCHCA is contacted by, or contacts, the proponent before or after the application is received by Saanich Planning.  Sometimes a developer will contact QCHCA prior to proceeding with a development application.  Notice of redevelopment signs are required to be posted on the property in question within a month of Saanich receiving the application.

Subdivision applications

Subdivision applications, where there are no variances or rezoning requested, are considered and considered for approval by Saanich's Approving Officer.  QCHCA is invited by the Approving Officer to comment on the proposed subdivision and we incorporate neighbourhood comments into our submission.  For this reason, we ask residents to share their comments and concerns with us and copy us on any correspondence with Planning or Council.

Development Applications 

The applicant often meets with QCHCA representatives for discussions on the project.  We provide input and feedback to the applicant and give them the QCHCA Neighbourhood Meeting Guidelines and draft agenda for the upcoming neighbourhood meeting.

The Association co-hosts the community meeting with the proponent.  The proponent selects a date in conjunction with us, books the space, prepares and circulates an invitation to the community within a minimum of 90 meters from the development site (QCHCA often recommends a much wider distribution based on the scale of the development).  Our representatives attend the meeting and act as a resource for the community at the meeting and the following process.

Development permit applications go to Council and then, if given a go-ahead, to Public Hearing for consideration and approval, amendment or rejection.

Neighbours may write to QCHCA, Saanich Planning and/or to Council on any proposal and may speak at Committee of the Whole and at the Public Hearing if the application goes to that stage.  The QCHCA is invited by Saanich Planning to comment on all proposed developments within our boundaries and these written responses are incorporated into the package that Planning submits to Council for their deliberation on the file.  Our responses are based on what we learn about the application, what we hear from the neighbouring community, and our knowledge of Saanich's Official Community Plan and our Quadra Local Area Plan

Both Committee of the Whole and Public Hearings provide opportunities for residents to speak to Council:

a) Committee of the Whole - the community is not notified of the meeting but agendas and reports are posted on Saanich's website on the Friday before the Monday Council meeting.  Click on 'Council Schedule, Agenda and Minutes'.  At these meetings, Council decides if the proposal has sufficient merit to proceed to Public Hearing.

b) Public Hearing - the immediate neighbourhood and people who have written to Council are notified of the meeting and Saanich also posts notice of the public meeting in local newspaper(s).  At these meetings, the Council approves, rejects or tables the application.