What Deborah's Already Been Doing for Colwood
Deborah started paying more attention to what was happening down at City Hall after a rezoning application proceeded next door to her home. Over the past two years she has engaged with Council on a number of issues affecting Colwood residents and taxpayers.
Advocating for a Developer Cost Charge (DCC) Program to help fund the Westshore RCMP Detachment Expansion Project - This is how development helps pays for growth-related infrastructure costs instead of existing taxpayers. This is still missing from the financing program for this project.
This is a necessary project for the Westshore but Colwood has not been transparent about how much this project will cost taxpayers. The Westshore municipalities decided to finance this project through a CRD service. This means the property tax increase to pay for this project will appear on the CRD line of your annual property tax statement. Since December 2025 I have been engaging with our Mayor and Council on a critical component missing from the financing plan. The financing plan did not include a developer cost charge (DCC) program for police facilities. This is a growth-related infrastructure project and development should help pay for growth-related costs. The provincial framework for municipalities to finance infrastructure includes specific DCC programs so that development helps pay for growth-related costs. Without a DCC program, Colwood's share of the costs will be borne entirely by taxpayers. Based on CRD information the annual cost funded by Colwood will be approximately $1.8 million by 2028. With the implementation of a DCC program for police facilities the cost borne by taxpayers through property taxes can be less.
Pushing for a more robust budget process and more indepth review of Colwood's 5-year financial plan
The link below directs you to my submission to Colwood Council for the 2026-2030 Financial Plan. It is publicly available on the City of Colwood website. There is a lot in this submission to Council. I encourage you to read it. I hope it demonstrates to you why my voice should be at the Council table to represent the taxpayers of Colwood.
Advocating for a gentle infill strategy for established neighbourhoods like Wishart and Hatley Park
Your home is the largest single investment every family makes. Land use planning is what shapes the form and character of your neighbourhood. Every homeowner deserves to know that when future redevelopment comes to their neighbourhood it will be done in a thoughtful manner that protects their investment while providing housing for new residents. After listening to residents address Council with concerns on several rezoning applications I worked with Councillor Kim Jordison to propose a motion directing staff to develop a gentle infill strategy for Colwood’s established neighbourhoods. Council unanimously endorsed this initiative in October 2025. Colwood’s 2018 OCP is a roadmap for thoughtfully densifying Colwood, but it only works if the OCP vision is actioned. Part of that vision includes moderate growth in our established neighbourhoods, but we need real policy to guide what that looks like. I will be a strong advocate for resourcing and prioritizing this initiative with the next Council.
Influencing the implementation of the Province's Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) requirements in Colwood
This is the provincial directive that led to the multiplex monstrosities you may have seen pop up in many communities across BC. This issue didn’t initially generate much discussion in Colwood because our city did not fall within the scope of the requirements. However, the Province changed the rules in 2025 requiring Colwood to comply with the mandated density requirements. This meant preapproving zoning that allows 3,4 or 6 units on most single-family lots in Colwood once attached to sewer. This provincial initiative included guidance municipalities were required to consider. The key word was CONSIDER not adopt. I worked hard to correct this misunderstanding and while it took time every neighbourhood will benefit. My engagement with Council resulted in a significant reduction in the size of SSMUH buildings allowed in Colwood. If a SSMUH building is constructed near you the maximum size of the building allowed is to 25 to 50% smaller than initially proposed by staff. That is significant. Colwood needed to meet a provincial deadline for approving SSMUH but I believe we can still better. Consistent with the Gentle Infill Strategy I will continue to advocate for better policy that shapes how new housing fits in our community.
Critically Evaluating the OCP Amendment for the North Latoria Corridor Area Plan -
The current Council approved adding the North Latoria Area Plan to the OCP. This area plan enables the transition from what is now low density acreages along the north side of Latoria Road between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Wishart Road to higher density apartment buildings. According to the Transportation Impact Assessment for this change the development group is proposing the area to include approximately 1,400 apartments. Please read my submission to Council on this significant change to Colwood's OCP. I expressed real concerns about how the city was proceeding and the implications for Colwood going forward.
My Submission to Council scroll to page 32 to find submission to the Public Hearing
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