Encroachment policy review
A $30,000 review of how the Town handles private use of public land was moved from 2027 to 2028 in July 2025.
- Amount
- $30,000
- Got
- $0
- Where it stands
- To 2028. Moved by the Eaglecrest funding plan, Jul 2025.
What it is
An encroachment is when a private owner uses public land as their own. Examples are a yard, fence or shed that extends onto a Town road right-of-way or park.
In 2021, staff counted at least 140 known encroachments, about 3% of properties in town. Only four had an agreement with the Town. Council paused its encroachment policy in 2021 and again in 2022 to review it.
The review has $30,000. It was set for 2027. On July 23, 2025, Council moved it to 2028 as part of the Eaglecrest funding plan (Resolution 25-180, carried 4–1, Councillor Harrison opposed).
What happened
- May 27, 2021After many emails from residents, Council asks for a report and puts encroachment charges on hold until it reviews the policy (unanimous).
- November 24, 2021Staff recommend adopting the updated policy, with a lower yearly rental rate of 3%. A committee of Council instead recommends pausing the review until affected owners are notified.
- February 23, 2022Council puts the review on hold until all affected owners are notified and invited to comment (unanimous).
- November 10, 2023Staff say the review moves from 2024 to 2027 because of the provincial housing announcement.
- February 12, 2025Council cancels a 2023 motion that had put off decisions on fences next to the Waterwise Garden until the full review (unanimous).
- July 23, 2025Council moves the review from 2027 to 2028 as part of the Eaglecrest funding plan (4–1).
- April 1, 2026The 2026–2030 Financial Plan lists $30,000 in 2028.
Why it matters
- This project was delayed twice: first in 2023 for housing law work, then in 2025 by the Eaglecrest funding plan.
- In 2021, staff said most encroachments are on land the Town needs now or will need later.
- In 2021, staff estimated yearly fees of $2,000 to $4,000 for some affected homes at the 3% rate.
- The 2026–2030 Financial Plan says the Town borrowed $542,000 from the Strategic Initiatives Reserve for Eaglecrest, and expects to pay it back in 2027 and 2028 from Eaglecrest land sales.
Sources
- Special Council agenda and deferral lists, Jul 23, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Staff report: 2025–2029 Financial Plan Amendment, Oct 22, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Special Council minutes, Jul 23, 2025 (opens in a new tab) Res. 25-180, pp. 2–3
- 2026–2030 Financial Plan (adopted Apr 1, 2026) (opens in a new tab) pp. 21, 93
- Regular Council minutes, May 27, 2021 (opens in a new tab) p. 4
- Committee of the Whole agenda, Nov 24, 2021 (opens in a new tab) staff memo, pp. 95–97
- Regular Council minutes, Feb 23, 2022 (opens in a new tab) p. 5
- Committee of the Whole minutes, Nov 10, 2023 (opens in a new tab) p. 2
- Regular Council minutes, Feb 12, 2025 (opens in a new tab) Res. 25-033, p. 2
Last checked September 18, 2026. Report a mistake.