Volunteer Committees
District of Oak Bay Committees and Commissions advise Council on their mandates and referred matters. Other sources that inform the Council’s governance decisions and plans include: input from the public and staff, and all relevant policies, plans, regulations, and laws.
A complete list of Oak Bay’s current Committees and Commissions (or Advisory Bodies) is provided below. Oak Bay’s Advisory Bodies typically meet monthly, except for August and December, subject to there being business items to discuss. The anticipated volunteer commitment is approximately 3 hours per month to prepare for and attend meetings.
For more detailed information
- Review the Advisory Body Terms of Reference and Establishing Bylaws by clicking on the relevant link below
- View the Committee and Commission Policy
- View the Council Procedures Bylaw - Committee and Commission procedures outlined in Part 11
Oak Bay Advisory Bodies
Accessibility Advisory Committe
Mandate:
The Accessibility Advisory Committee is and Advisory Body to Council established in accordance with section 9 of the Accessible British Columbia Act. The mandate of the committee is to provide advice on policies, programs, services, built environments, infrastructure and outdoor spaces in order to continue to improve the livability, inclusivity and accessibility for persons with Disabilities, who live, work and play in Oak Bay.
Terms of Reference and Related Documents:
Accessibility Committee Terms of Reference
Members:
- Councillor Lesley Watson, Liaison
- Claire Abecia
- Michael Butler
- Shelby Cain
- Bruce Cline
- Beverley Kissinger
- Nicholas Lapointe
- Dan Mooney
- Christina Roberts Smith
- Indigenous representation – Vacant
Advisory Planning Commission - Land Use
Mandate:
In accordance with the Local Government Act, the mandate of the Commission is to advise Council on matters respecting land use, community planning, or proposed land use or community planning Bylaws and permits, as referred to the Commission by Council.
Terms of Reference and Related Documents:
- Advisory Planning Commission – Land Use Establishing Bylaw
- Advisory Planning Commission – Land Use Manual
Members:
- Councillor Esther Paterson, Liaison
- Councillor Carrie Smart, Alternate Liaison
- Nicholas Gregory
- Zahra Asgarizadeh Lamjiry
- Alexander Economou
- Nicholas Jackson
- Sarah Taylor
- Rory McAlpine
- Kyle McStravick, Staff Liaison
Advisory Planning Commission - Design Panel
Mandate:
The mandate of the Advisory Planning Commission – Design Panel is to provide professional and community advice to assist Council and Staff in evaluating the design merits of select development applications, as well as any other matters referred by Council, including consideration of draft design guidelines or policies to ensure that the form and character of future development is of a high quality and meets the needs of the community.
Terms of Reference and Related Documents:
- Advisory Planning Commission – Design Panel Establishing Bylaw
- Uplands Regulations Bylaw, 1987
- Oak Bay Special Powers Act, 1935
- Advisory Planning Commission – Design Panel Manual
Members:
- Councillor Lesley Watson, Liaison
- Councillor Carrie Smart, Alternate Liaison
- Russel Reynolds
- Catherine Nickerson
- Jacqueline East
- Brett MacIntyre
- Dennis Rogers
- TBA, Staff Liaison
Board of Variance
Mandate:
This quasi-judicial body is established under the British Columbia Local Government Act. It requires every municipality with a zoning bylaw to appoint a Board of Variance. Upon application, the Board has authority to vary provisions of the zoning bylaw that do not change the permitted use or density. Before using that authority, it must find that complying with the bylaw would cause an undue hardship. It must also find that the variance will not, among other things, substantially affect adjacent land, the environment, or the bylaw’s intent.
Some uses of land, although lawful at the time, would not be permitted under current bylaws, and such uses are considered “lawfully nonconforming”. For a building with a lawful nonconforming use, the Board of Variance can decide if a structural change is allowed.
The Board of Variance may also grant relief from a requirement contained in a tree protection bylaw where it is satisfied that compliance would cause a person undue hardship.
Municipal Council appoints three persons to the Board. There is no limit on the duration of service, and vacancies are advertised. The work of the Board requires strong analytical and reasoning skills.
Terms of Reference and Related Documents:
Members:
- Christopher Gower
- John Peck
- Randall Romanin
Committee of the Whole
Mandate:
The purpose of the Committee is to deal with applications and issues that require more detailed investigation than can be undertaken at the Council level. Committee of the Whole is also the venue for informal public input beyond statutorily mandated processes such as public hearings. Staff advisors also play a key role at Committee of the Whole meetings.
The Director of Corporate Services is responsible for determining the agenda of each meeting. The Committee makes recommendations, but decisions take effect only after formal adoption by the members sitting as Council, usually one week after the Committee meeting.
All members of Council sit on Committee of the Whole. There are no non-elected members.
Committee of the Whole meetings are chaired by the Mayor or designate.
Members:
- Kevin Murdoch, Mayor
- Andrew Appleton, Councillor
- Hazel Braithwaite, Councillor
- Cairine Green, Councillor
- Esther Paterson, Councillor
- Carrie Smart, Councillor
- Lesley Watson, Councillor
Heritage Commission
Mandate:
The mandate of the Commission is to advise to Council on a range of community heritage matters, including:
- Reviewing and making recommendations to Council on the content and maintenance of the Community Heritage Register, including related Statements of Significance as drafted by staff or consultants;
- Reviewing staff reports and related heritage documentation regarding proposed heritage designations, Heritage Revitalization Agreements, or other forms of preservation that may be registered against title to real property, for input and advice to Council;
- Reviewing existing and proposed District plans, strategies or other regulatory initiatives for input and advice to Council pertaining to heritage conservation, including any planning initiatives related to Heritage Conservation Areas and the Oak Bay Heritage Plan;
- Reviewing and making recommendations to Council on select development applications, including:
- Development applications within Heritage Conservation Areas (“HCA”), to support compliance with the HCA guidelines in the Official Community Plan;
- Development applications, including Heritage Alteration Permit applications, relative to review of the heritage-related aspects of the proposed redevelopments; and
- any other heritage matter referred by Council.
Terms of Reference and Related Documents:
Members:
- Councillor Lesley Watson, Liaison
- Councillor Carrie Smart, Alternate Liaison
- Christie Horsman
- Bronwyn Taylor
- Patricia Wilson
- Eva Eaton
- Pamela Madoff
- Sharman Minus
- Roxanne Helme
- Kyle McStravick, Planner, Staff Liaison
Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee
Mandate:
The Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee is a select committee of Council established under Section 142 of the Community Charter. The mandate of the Committee is to provide a community perspective and advice to Council on Parks, Recreation and Culture matters in Oak Bay as per the Committee’s assigned duties, with an emphasis on inclusivity and creating healthy, active living opportunities for residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Terms of Reference and Related Documents:
Members:
- Councillor Hazel Braithwaite, Liaison
- Councillor Cairine Green, Alternate Liaison
David Blacoe
Janice Davis
Howard McElderry, Chair
Darryl Hooker
Joe Sheldrake
Karin Sweeney, Vice Chair
Julie Wallace
Tourism Committee
Mandate:
The Tourism Committee was established pursuant to a Provincial requirement that specified municipal hotel taxes collected on tourist accommodation must be applied to the promotion of tourism within the Municipality.
Subject to the submission of a budget and business plan to the Municipality, the Committee operates autonomously.
Members:
- Brian Dolsen, Treasurer
- Steve Earnshaw
- Jeff McKay
- Duncan Murphy, Vice Chair
- Joan Peggs
- Madone Pelan, Chair
Committee Liaisons:
- Councillor Cairine Green, Council Liaison
- Councillor Hazel Braithwaite (alternate)
Related Organizations
The District of Oak Bay also appoints volunteer members to the following organizations. When available, vacancies for these organizations will be advertised on this page.