During next week’s council meeting, Saanich council will debate a motion that would explore new ways of incentivizing more doctors’ offices and medical clinics in new developments.
The motion was brought forward by Councillors Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Karen Harper.
If passed, staff would explore how doctors’ offices and medical clinics could be treated as qualifying community amenities to the District’s draft density bonus framework.
Staff would also be directed to explore other possible incentives, including floor space ratio exclusions, Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) or Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) exemptions or reductions.
CACs and ACCs are policies that could make it more likely for developers to include clinic space in new developments.
The motion would not require changes to zoning policy or the creation of a new bylaw, but instead it would direct staff to investigate options to increase the supply distribution of primary care space in Saanich.
“This motion is about asking how the District of Saanich can use the tools at our disposal to make it easier to create the clinic spaces our community needs,” said Councillor Phelps Bondaroff.
“Too many of our residents are not attached to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. If we are serious about improving access to primary care, Saanich should explore every reasonable policy option at our disposal.”
Councillor Harper added that because Saanich is growing, public policy needs to be kept at pace with the needs of residents.
This motion came about in large part from consultation with the grassroots organization Family Doctors for Saanich. They have been working to get more people in Saanich access to primary care, and will be in attendance while the motion is debated.
“I support council exploring as many policy solutions as possible,” said JoAnne Nelson, co-founder of Family Doctors for Saanich.
“No single motion will solve the doctor shortage, but local governments should not sit on the sidelines when there are practical steps they can investigate to support more clinic space in the community.”
Currently, Saanich staff are already developing a broader density bonus framework to contemplate public amenities, employment space and major community facilities.
This motion could effectively clarify whether doctors’ offices or clinic space would qualify under the current language, or determine if new language would be needed.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, currently 98,301 of nearly 134,000 residents on the Saanich Peninsula and Oak Bay are attached to a healthcare provider.
Furthermore, 19,038 are registered and seeking attachment, while 22,886 are unattached and unregistered.
This matter will be discussed in the Saanich council meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4th.
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