Construction Impact Management Strategy (Early Guidance) - Staff Report

DATE: Monday, April 7, 2025

DEPARTMENT: Engineering
SUBJECT: Construction Impact Management Strategy Engagement Summary and Early Guidance

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the public engagement results and to seek Council endorsement for the recommended seven-step, data-driven Construction Impact Management Strategy as follows:

1. Promote the Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management.
2. Integrate the Construction Bylaw Enforcement Officer position.
3. Commence proactive education and enforcement measures.
4. Draft new bylaws/amendments in order of public priority.
5. Concurrently draft the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy.
6. Seek input from key partners and committee.
7. Bring forward results for Council consideration and adoption.

Staff are also seeking approval in principle from Council for the immediate implementation of the Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management as drafted.

BACKGROUND

On May 18, 2023, the concept of a Construction Impact Management Strategy for Langford was first discussed as part of the Strategic Planning Progress Update to Council. Council also passed a resolution that supported, in principle, interim measures to provide Early Guidance for Development Applications. Alongside the first guideline for “High Quality Growth and Density”, the second guideline was as follows: “Less Impactful, More Livable Construction”

To mitigate the construction impacts of medium and high-density growth on existing neighbours and neighbourhoods in a rapidly and continuously changing city, applications should propose and implement a well-considered “good neighbour commitment” that reflects established high-quality practice in maintaining urban livability during construction.

On June 5, 2023, staff provided a Staff Report which gave a detailed review of a proposed Construction Nuisance Dust Control Bylaw and Council passed the following resolution:

THAT Council direct Staff to draft guidelines for review by the Sustainable Development Advisory Committee that will form, in whole or in part, the Construction Impact Management Strategy;
AND
THAT Council direct Staff to broaden the existing dust control plan requirements and incorporate the standard additional penalty clauses (from the draft Bylaw No. 1666) into Bylaw No. 1000 and/or 1800 with the omnibus amendments for review by the Sustainable Development Advisory Committee.

This report addresses the first paragraph of the June 5, 2023 resolution above.

On July 17, 2023, Council adopted Bylaw No. 2103 to amend Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 1000 (Amendment No. 24) which addresses the second paragraph of the June 5, 2023 resolution above.

Further, on November 20, 2023, Council authorized the Mayor and CAO to execute licence agreement CON23-0162 (Request for Construction Licence – Application for Lane Closure at 2826 Jacklin Rd) with the context of this being “in advance of a Construction Impact Management Strategy and ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy” anticipating the need for street occupancy permits with daily fee rates. While this work is ongoing, staff have been requiring developers to submit a request for a construction licence to occupy the road right-of-way with the following daily fee rates of:

• $0.85 per square metre per day to occupy existing public sidewalks or parking stalls; and
• $1.15 per square metre per day to occupy existing public bike lanes or vehicular lanes.

Also, on November 20, 2023, Council adopted the 2023-2027 Council Strategic Plan. Under Strategic Priority 1: Sustainable Development, Objective 1f was “Develop a Construction Impact Management Strategy and ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy” with the following description:

This strategy and policy will result in a written commitment from each developer and business at the earliest stage of permitting on how they intend to be a “good neighbour”. It is in everyone’s best interest to accommodate growth, development, and business operations in such a way that is reasonably livable for neighbouring residents. Its success will require an additional Bylaw officer dedicated to site inspections and enforcement of these commitments.

To support the development of a Construction Impact Management Strategy, an internal working group with senior representation from the Engineering, Bylaw, Planning, Building and Parks Departments was formed to complete three tasks:

1. Review established ‘Good Neighbour’ policies in BC and Langford’s existing bylaws;
2. Compile a list of common construction-related complaints; and
3. Undertake a gaps analysis of existing bylaws in relation to those complaints.

The results and initial recommendations from the working group for the potential Construction Impact Management Strategy were presented in a staff report to the Sustainable Development Advisory Committee on June 10, 2024, and to Council on June 17, 2024. Council passed the following resolution:

THAT Council direct staff to proceed with community engagement with respect to concerns and priorities around the Construction Impact Management Strategy, and report back to Council once complete;
AND
THAT Council direct staff to formulate a facilitated focus group of key partners to better understand how bylaw amendments or new bylaws related to the construction impact management strategy and good neighbor policy could accommodate growth, development, and business operations, in such a way that is reasonably livable for neighbouring residents, and report back to Council with results in future bylaw staff reports.

On February 3, 2025, staff presented the first 2023-2027 Council Strategic Plan Review. Staff recommended and Council supported splitting objective 1f into two as follows:

• 1f(a): Develop a Construction Impact Management Strategy and Early Guidance Document for Implementation (Funded, Q1 2025)
• 1f(b): Draft the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy and Priority Bylaws/Amendments for Adoption (Partially Funded, Q2 2026)

The following status update on objective 1f was provided: The community engagement survey for the Construction Impact Management Strategy closed in Q4 2024. A staff report is forthcoming in Q1 2025 with the recommendations based on the survey data collected, including but not limited to:

• A draft Early Guidance Document for immediate implementation;
• A prioritized list of supporting bylaws/amendments; and
• Resourcing requests for next steps.

COMMENTARY

Public Engagement Summary

The Construction Impact Management Strategy Survey was open on Let’s Chat Langford from October 1st to November 19th, 2024, and in those seven weeks 273 surveys were completed. The preamble, background, questions, and format of the survey was formulated in accordance with International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) best practices for public engagement. Staff promoted the survey through social media, electronic boards throughout the city, newspapers, digital media, and at the Langford Fire Rescue Open House on October 6, 2024.

The intention of this survey was to better understand how residents are impacted by construction in Langford. This was also an opportunity for the City to obtain confirmation of how and where residents are impacted by construction, to understand the community’s priorities for change, and to learn about how some contractors are already being good neighbours.

The preamble and background set the stage for what is or is not included in this survey and why:

Since the majority of complaints in a growing city are related to construction nuisances, the City is addressing this first through the Construction Impact Management Strategy. Nuisances caused by on-going business operations will not be addressed through the Construction Impact Management Strategy but rather through the next phase of the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy process.

The following is a representation of the order and focus of the strategy and policy that was provided in the survey preamble:

1. Construction Impact Management Strategy focus → Development/Construction
2. ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy focus → Development/Construction + Business Operations

It was also stated that targeted public engagement will take place with the business and development community later this year, through a facilitated focus group of key partners, when draft bylaw amendments have been prepared, in accordance with Council’s direction.

As stated in the survey background:

The Construction Impact Management Strategy will balance the unavoidable impacts of construction, such as noise and road closures during allowable hours, with the expectation that contractors be “good neighbours” by communicating with residents and minimizing or making good on impacts to nearby homes and businesses.

Staff took it a step further and provided clarification upfront on what is considered to be reasonable verses unreasonable construction impacts, since the City is only looking to address poor construction practices through this strategy and policy.

Examples of Reasonable Impacts (considered legitimate disruptions):

• Noise during allowable times
• Some dust or equipment exhaust
• Crane setup/take-down
• Hammering, drilling, blasting
• Equipment back-up beepers
• Extra-long concrete pours
• Planned and limited road/sidewalk closures or traffic changes
• Construction licences for street occupancy for extended periods of time, in agreement with the City

Examples of Unreasonable Impacts (considered poor construction practices):

• Noise outside of allowable times
• On-street parking violations
• Damage to surrounding properties
• Rude or offensive behaviour from workers
• Inadequate site security and safety
• Excessive dust and smoke
• Insufficient erosion and sediment control or environmental spills
• Improper storage of materials
• Unpermitted sidewalk/street blockages

Survey Questions and Key Results

Question No. 1: Which of the following unreasonable construction impacts have you experienced?

(Select all that apply) (Checkbox Question) (260 responses, 13 skipped)

Options and response counts:

• Excessive dust, smoke, and odours — 133
• Disruptive noise outside of allowable hours — 123
• Vibration or shaking causing damage — 98
• Traffic impacts, such as extended roadblocks or reduced parking — 202
• Encroachment on private property — 42
• Inadequate site safety and security — 59
• Unsafe disposal of materials — 40
• Environmental impacts, such as spills or pollution — 63
• Rude or offensive behaviour from workers — 52
• Other (please explain) — 64

Question No. 2: Which actions would be most useful for the City to take to minimize unreasonable construction impacts?

(Rank in order from most useful to least useful) (Ranking Question) (261 responses, 12 skipped)

The ranked results with corresponding bylaws:

Additional ranking metrics (average ranks from the survey):

• Regulate noise from machinery near homes and businesses. — Avg. Rank 3.54
• Combine and improve existing nuisance bylaws to fill gaps and support enforcement efforts. — Avg. Rank 3.92
• Require developers/contractors to pay fees for extended exclusive use of public roads, sidewalks, parking, or bike lanes. — Avg. Rank 4.05
• Explore if the City could suspend business licenses for multiple confirmed ongoing bylaw violations by developers/contractors. — Avg. Rank 4.05
• Add new rules to City construction contracts to prevent unnecessary extended road closures. — Avg. Rank 4.31
• Require contractors to provide a comprehensive geotechnical plan when applying for permits to remove or deposit soil. — Avg. Rank 4.33
• Create new rules for maintaining buildings and abandoned or derelict structures. — Avg. Rank 4.68
• Require developers/contractors to put artistic screening around empty lots and construction sites, standardize emergency contact signage for these sites, and restrict trades advertising signage on construction fencing. — Avg. Rank 5.39

Question No. 3: Do you have any other comments related to unreasonable construction impacts or ideas to minimize unreasonable impacts?

(Text Box Question) (192 responses, 81 skipped)

The top 10 general discussion topics in order of highest frequency were:

1. Roads
2. Traffic
3. Blasting
4. Neighbours
5. The City
6. Closures
7. Noise
8. Parking
9. Dust
10. Clean Up

Staff reviewed all the responses in detail and created a list of the unreasonable construction impacts mentioned by the public. The public engagement list exceeded the original list of common construction-related complaints compiled by the working group. Staff attempted to address all the frequent examples of poor construction practices in Langford in the attached draft Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management to developers and contractors.

Regarding the ideas or suggestions provided by the public on how to minimize unreasonable impacts, there were many excellent suggestions. There was understanding expressed for living in a growing city and the need for housing, while others expressed having been negatively impacted for years due to consecutive construction projects surrounding their homes. All suggestions will be taken into consideration when drafting the proposed new bylaws or bylaw amendments that support the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy. The following are summarized examples of the public’s suggestions in alphabetical order:

• Add requirements for third-party pre-blast surveys
• Allow major road construction at night
• Better coordination between municipalities
• Hire local contractors
• If impacts cannot be minimized, then benefits should be maximized
• Incentivize or penalize schedules for faster completion
• Incorporate area-based management into permitting
• No peak hour lane closures
• Reduce noise bylaw hours, 12 hours every day is too long
• Reduce speed limits in construction zones
• Try to keep fees affordable

Question No. 4: Do you have any examples of how developers/contractors have been good neighbours in your community?

(Text Box Question) (148 responses, 125 skipped)

There were many examples of how developers/contractors have been good neighbours in Langford. There was great appreciation expressed for all the kind acts, large and small. Staff tabulated the approximate number of positive verses negative response. While there were more positive examples than negative, this question also had the highest number of skips (30% positive, 24% negative, 46% skipped).

Many of the ‘good neighbour’ examples had to do with cleanliness and garbage pickup, considerate personnel, upfront contact information provided, responsive to requests, questions answered, workers supporting local businesses, extra sweeping and snow shovelling, proactive tree protection, respect for property lines, safe pedestrian and cycling detours, accommodated special requests, privacy respected, etc.

Demographics Summary (Questions 5–12)

The following highlighted demographic results are representative of the highest percentage of respondents in each category:

• Live in Langford
• Live in the City Centre
• Are 35 to 44 years old
• Live in a Single Detached House or Duplex
• Owns Their Home
• Makes over $100,000 per year
• Identifies as a Woman
• Found out through the Let’s Chat Langford Newsletter

For the complete demographic results, see the Let’s Chat Langford Survey Response Report attached to the staff report.

The Recommended Construction Impact Management Strategy

The recommended seven-step Construction Impact Management Strategy is as follows:

1. Promote the Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management.
2. Integrate the Construction Bylaw Enforcement Officer position.
3. Commence proactive education and enforcement measures.
4. Draft new bylaws/amendments in order of public priority.
5. Concurrently draft the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy.
6. Seek input from key partners and committee.
7. Bring forward results for Council consideration and adoption.

The Draft Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management

The attached Early Guidance document is drafted as a stand-alone quick-start framework, so that it can be easily forwarded by staff to developers at the earliest stage of development, and handed-out onsite to contractors at pre-construction meetings or as issues arise. It would be provided to developers and contractors in Langford, as an interim measure ahead of the forthcoming ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy and supporting bylaws/amendments.

There are four main sections within the Early Guidance document, containing practical lists focused on providing clarification and transparency for ease of transition:

1. The Construction Impact Management Strategy
2. Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management
3. Commonly Misunderstood or Overlooked Construction-Related Requirements
4. Construction Impact Management Best Practices & Common Courtesies

The Recommended New Bylaws/Amendments in Order of Public Priority

The recommended eight new bylaws/amendments to be completed as part of Strategic Objective 1f(b) in order of public priority are as follows:

1. Bylaw 33 – Traffic (Highway Use) Bylaw
2. NEW – Comprehensive Nuisance Bylaw
3. Bylaw 2056 – Noise Regulation Bylaw
4. Bylaw 1800 – Soil Removal and Deposition Bylaw
5. Bylaw 216 – Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw
6. NEW – Supplemental Conditions for Construction Contracts
7. NEW – Standards of Maintenance Bylaw
8. Bylaw 1160 and/or 1201 – Construction Screening/Signage

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

With the term position policy drafter having been included in the approved 2025 Budget, no additional resourcing is anticipated. Both Strategic Plan Objectives 1f(a) and 1f(b) are now considered fully funded.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

None known.

STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

• 1f(a) – Develop a Construction Impact Management Strategy and Early Guidance Document for Implementation
• 1f(b) – Draft the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy and Priority Bylaws/Amendments for Adoption

OPTIONS

Option 1

THAT Council endorse the recommended seven-step Construction Impact Management Strategy supported by public engagement;

AND

THAT Council support in principle the Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management as drafted for immediate implementation.

OR Option 2

THAT Council direct staff as follows regarding the Construction Impact Management Strategy:
a. ________________;
b. ________________;
c. ________________.

SUBMITTED BY

Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works

Concurrence

• Lorne Fletcher, Manager Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement
• Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services
• Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
• Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
• Matthew Baldwin, RPP, MCIP, Director of Development Services
• Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Climate Change
• Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
• Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services
• Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
• Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments:

1. Construction Impact Management Strategy Survey Responses Report
2. Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management

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Attachment: Construction Impact Management Strategy - Survey Response Report

(01 October 2024 - 19 November 2024)

Q1 Which of the following unreasonable construction impacts have you experienced? (Select all that apply)

Options and counts:

• Excessive dust, smoke, and odours — 133
• Disruptive noise outside of allowable hours — 123
• Vibration or shaking causing damage — 98
• Traffic impacts, such as extended roadblocks or reduced parking — 202
• Encroachment on private property — 42
• Inadequate site safety and security — 59
• Unsafe disposal of materials — 40
• Environmental impacts, such as spills or pollution — 63
• Rude or offensive behaviour from workers — 52
• Other (please explain) — 64

(260 response(s), 13 skipped)

Q2 Which actions would be most useful for the City to take to minimize unreasonable construction impacts? (Rank in order from most to least useful)

Options with average rank:

• Regulate noise from machinery near homes and businesses. — 3.54
• Combine and improve existing nuisance bylaws to fill gaps and support enforcement efforts. — 3.92
• Require developers/contractors to pay fees for extended exclusive use of public roads, sidewalks, parking, or bike lanes. — 4.05
• Explore if the City could suspend business licenses for multiple confirmed ongoing bylaw violations by developers/contractors. — 4.05
• Add new rules to City construction contracts to prevent unnecessary extended road closures. — 4.31
• Require contractors to provide a comprehensive geotechnical plan when applying for permits to remove or deposit soil. — 4.33
• Create new rules for maintaining buildings and abandoned or derelict structures. — 4.68
• Require developers/contractors to put artistic screening around empty lots and construction sites, standardize emergency contact signage for these sites, and restrict trades advertising signage on construction fencing. — 5.39

(261 response(s), 12 skipped)

Q5 Do you (select all that apply):

• Live in Langford — 266
• Work in Langford — 100
• Go to grade school in Langford (elementary or high school) — 14
• Go to a post secondary school in Langford — 6
• Access shopping, recreation, or other activity in Langford — 183
• Other (please specify) — 9

(272 response(s), 1 skipped)

Q6 What neighbourhood do you live in?

• Bear Mountain — 23 (8.8%)
• North Langford — 20 (7.7%)
• Thetis & Millstream — 21 (8.0%)
• Mill Hill — 21 (8.0%)
• Goldstream Meadows — 11 (4.2%)
• City Centre — 74 (28.4%)
• South Langford — 50 (19.2%)
• Westhills — 16 (6.1%)
• Langford Lake and Glen Lake — 25 (9.6%)

(261 response(s), 12 skipped)

Q7 Please indicate your age group:

• Under 18 years — 4 (1.5%)
• 18 to 24 years — 3 (1.1%)
• 25 to 34 years — 40 (14.8%)
• 35 to 44 years — 65 (24.0%)
• 45 to 54 years — 54 (19.9%)
• 55 to 64 years — 52 (19.2%)
• 65 and older — 38 (14.0%)
• Prefer not to answer — 15 (5.5%)

(271 response(s), 2 skipped)

Q8 What type of housing structure do you live in?

• Single detached house or duplex — 167 (61.6%)
• Townhouse/Row house — 49 (18.1%)
• Apartment/Condo — 40 (14.8%)
• Suite in a house — 7 (2.6%)
• Laneway home — 1 (0.4%)
• Prefer not to answer — 3 (1.1%)
• Other (please specify) — 4 (1.5%)

(271 response(s), 2 skipped)

Q9 Do you own or rent your home?

• Own — 223 (83.2%)
• Rent — 32 (11.9%)
• I don’t live in Langford — 2 (0.7%)
• Prefer not to answer — 9 (3.4%)
• Other (please specify) — 2 (0.7%)

(268 response(s), 5 skipped)

Q10 What is your total household income before-tax?

• Under $25,000 — 4 (1.5%)
• $25,000 to $49,999 — 6 (2.2%)
• $50,000 to $74,999 — 17 (6.3%)
• $75,000 to $99,999 — 28 (10.3%)
• $100,000 to $149,000 — 68 (25.1%)
• $150,000 or over — 67 (24.7%)
• Prefer not to answer — 81 (29.9%)

(271 response(s), 2 skipped)

Q11 Do you consider yourself any of the following (select any that apply)?

Counts (selected most frequently):

• Woman — 148
• Man — 100
• Person with a disability — 17
• I am a caregiver for children — 51
• New to Langford (moved to Langford in the last 5 years) — 18
• Other categories also captured

(271 response(s), 2 skipped)

Q12 How did you find out about this public engagement process?

• City of Langford’s website — 37 (13.6%)
• Social media — 63 (23.2%)
• Local newspaper — 7 (2.6%)
• Event — 7 (2.6%)
• Let’s Chat Langford Newsletter — 112 (41.2%)
• Digital media — 14 (5.1%)
• Other (please specify) — 32 (11.8%)

(272 response(s), 1 skipped)

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Early Guidance for Construction Impact Management (April 2025)

PAGE 2 — What is a Construction Impact Management Strategy?

The Construction Impact Management Strategy is a stepped process that will balance the unavoidable impacts of construction, such as noise and road closures during allowable hours, with the expectation that contractors be “good neighbours”. This will be achieved by developers and contractors communicating with residents and minimizing or making good on impacts to nearby homes and businesses.

The Construction Impact Management Strategy is a key component of the forthcoming ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy. This policy will result in a written commitment from each property owner at the earliest stage of permitting on how they intend to be a “good neighbour”. Since the majority of complaints in a growing city are related to construction nuisances, the City is addressing this first through the Construction Impact Management Strategy.

Why is a Construction Impact Management Strategy necessary?
Hundreds of residents and visitors have indicated that they are negatively impacted by unreasonable construction nuisances (poor construction practices) in various ways every day in Langford. Some residents in established neighbourhoods have been surrounded by consecutive developments and construction zones for years. The compounding effect of continuous construction has taken its toll.

On the other hand, development provides modern amenities and essential housing, and many residents’ livelihoods depend on construction. There is a need to accommodate growth and development is such a way that is reasonably livable for neighbouring residents and businesses. Finding this balance is the overall goal.

Early Guidance: For transparency and ease of transition, the following practical top 10 list of “early guidance” for construction impact management is being provided to developers and contractors in Langford, as an interim measure ahead of the forthcoming ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy and supporting bylaws/amendments.

PAGE 3 — Top 10 List of Early Guidance

1. Fully contain the development within the property limits, above/below ground and air space included, unless otherwise agreed upon.
2. Do not block property accesses/driveways, fire hydrants, mailboxes, intersections, signage, crosswalks, sidewalks, trails, multi-use paths, etc. Do not utilize without permission any existing parking stalls/lanes, road/bike lanes, bus stops/lanes, pickup/drop-off zones, etc.
3. Keep sidewalks, bike lanes, roads and surrounding area free of debris daily (e.g. garbage, gravel, mud, etc.). Ensure that all construction materials are securely contained within the site.
4. Be considerate of light intrusions (e.g. flood lighting and security lighting orientation) and surrounding air quality/intakes (e.g. portable washroom placement and maintenance, second-hand smoke, welding fumes, idling trucks and generator exhaust, etc.).
5. Keep noise to a minimum and within the allowable hours, mobilization and demobilization included, no loud music or profanity, shield loud pumps or generators, etc.
6. No more rock crushing or aggregate processing onsite, in existing neighbourhoods, near occupied residences.
7. Prior to construction, maintain the property and any existing homes to a livable standard (e.g. continuous landscape and building maintenance, snow removal, invasive species control, rodent control, graffiti removal, no boarded-up windows, no tarped rooves, demolish buildings that are uninhabitable as permitted, etc.).
8. Secure the site to prevent unauthorized entry (to protect the public and wildlife).
9. Clearly post project signage containing 24/7 emergency contact information (ensure the signage is kept in good legible condition with the information updated as needed).
10. When installing construction fencing or hoarding, ensure adequate sightlines and setbacks are maintained, and that it is aesthetically pleasing for the neighbourhood (essential project signage only, no private advertising).

PAGE 4 — Clarification on Common Requirements

For additional clarification and as a reminder, the following list of seven current/commonly misunderstood or overlooked construction-related requirements is also provided:

1. Extended Street Occupancy is discouraged and is currently not permitted without a Licence of Occupation or Encroachment Agreement, both of which require Council authorization and are subject one-time and/or daily scaled fee rates.
   a. Approval is not guaranteed, and a Professional Traffic Management Plan or Traffic Impact Assessment may be required.
   b. Where pedestrian detours onto the road are necessary, adequate protection is required and accessibility needs must be accommodated (e.g. portable concrete curbs/barriers, wheelchair/bike ramps, temporary crosswalks or crossing guards, etc.).
   c. Highway Use Permits are only for temporary road closures, daily mobile construction operations, frontage improvements, or servicing connections.

2. Construction Parking and Deliveries Management Plan approval is required prior to any land alteration.
   a. Provide sufficient space for trades parking, laydown areas, and deliveries onsite.
   b. Take into consideration all construction phasing and transitions.
   c. Ensure everyone who attends to the site adheres to it.

3. Mitigation Plan approval is required prior to any land alteration.
   a. Ensure erosion and sediment control, dust control, and storm water management measures are effective and suitably maintained at all times.
   b. Identify all natural and hazardous or toxic materials onsite, and ensure proper handling, storage, and disposition of materials.

4. A comprehensive Geotechnical Plan showing the intent and scope of all geotechnical works on and off site is required and must be certified by a Professional Engineer and submitted with the construction drawings for approval.
   a. Including but not limited to all landscape or engineered cut/fill slopes, retaining walls, shoring and stabilization (both onsite or offsite, temporary or permanent) require approval prior to land alteration.

5. Existing public or private trees identified to be retained must be protected throughout the entirety of the project in accordance with bylaw requirements.

6. Safeguard streamside protection and enhancement areas (SPEAs) and comply with regional habitat protection timing windows (for birds, fish, and other wildlife), all as identified by the Qualified Environmental Professional and approved/permitted by the respective Provincial or Federal agencies.

7. Inform the City in accordance with bylaw requirements for posting traffic and blasting advisories on our website.

Best Practices and Common Courtesies

Not everything can nor will be regulated. Sometimes the most effective tools to mitigate impacts are simply considered industry best practices or common courtesies. The following top 10 list of common-sense construction impact mitigative measures that are likely to be incorporated into the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy but not the bylaws are:

1. Obtain all required permits and approvals well in advance of commencing each phase of work. Do not proceed without authorization.
2. Ensure bylaw and legislation compliance at every stage and by every person employed on the site. Display or have readily available all approved plans/permits onsite, include them in the site orientation, and review them regularly together.
3. Respect City staff time and inspection hold points. Give adequate notice for scheduling inspections, do not bury or cover uninspected works, and address deficiencies expediently.
4. Develop a respectful relationship with the surrounding community ahead of construction.
5. Keep open lines of communication with neighbours throughout construction.
6. Be proactive in notifying neighbours of the anticipated work phases/timelines and any upcoming changes, especially disruptive but unavoidable activities, including but not limited to approved road closures, blasting, drilling, pile driving, crane setup/take down, large deliveries, etc.
7. When permitted frontage or utility works are required within the public road right of way, coordinate construction works to minimize the overall impact.
8. Manage and maintain a safe, clean, and organized job site every day, onsite and the surrounding area offsite.
9. Do not enter onto other private property, nor utilize water or power outlets from others’ properties without permission.
10. Make up for legitimate impacts (e.g. offer to wash the dust off the neighbour’s house, fix the damage to their lawn or fence, etc.).

The City commits to a fair and balanced approach during this transition period, understanding that further engagement is required. Targeted engagement with the business and development community will take place later this year, through a facilitated focus group of key partners, when draft bylaw amendments have been prepared, in accordance with Council’s direction.

This Early Guidance document will remain in effect until the ‘Good Neighbour’ Policy is adopted. Please be advised, nothing in this Early Guidance document negates nor takes precedence over any enacted legislation, bylaws, or policies. However, if voluntarily adhered to by developers and contractors, would immediately result in “more livable, less impactful construction” for residents and businesses in Langford.

Thanks in advance for being a good neighbour!