Town of Sidney staff will study their sewers in response to a North Saanich request.
The neighbouring district asked Sidney to consider allowing it to hook up to the sewer main on McDonald Park Road to service a potential commercial development at the current Sandown Park site.
The proposal would see the former horse racing venue split into two parcels of 83 acres for the District of North Saanich and 12 acres of commercially zoned property for the landowners.
The District of North Saanich officially asked Sidney to consider allowing a connection to the Sidney sanitary sewer main along McDonald Park Road.
“This would enable the district, should the proposal be approved, to avoid having to extend a sanitary line from Mills Road up to the property,” wrote Rob Buchan, CAO for North Saanich, in a letter to Sidney council.
“The site is currently serviced with a North Saanich water main along the frontage of McDonald Park Road. This line has sufficient pressure and volume to service the proposed commercial development,” Buchan wrote.
“With respect to sanitary sewer, there are two options, subject to receiving approvals,” the letter continued. “First, sewer could be extended up McDonald Park Road from Mills Road. A second option is to connect to the Town of Sidney sewer trunk currently paralleling the 12 acres along McDonald Park Road.”
Councillor Kenny Podmore got a few nods around the table as he voiced his expectation of an extensive report from staff.
“This is not something we can go into very easy, and certainly I’d be looking for something in return,” Podmore said. He suggested considerations in concessions for affordable housing and in the ongoing discussions over a Mary Winspear Centre and Panorama Recreation Centre merger.
Councillor Cliff McNeil-Smith asked that staff specifically consider the overall capacity of the Peninsula system, and where Sidney is in relation to its share of that capacity.
Council expects to see the staff report Aug. 8.