In a surprise twist to the sewage treatment saga, Esquimalt holds the sewage treatment trump card yet again.
When the CRD approved a new plan for sewage treatment at McLoughlin Point earlier this year, they thought the new plan did not require any rezoning by Esquimalt because the redesigned plant fit the current guidelines.
But CRD directors received a report yesterday where the sewage project board explained that they’ve worked with Esquimalt staff to enter another rezoning process. They say it’s so they can sort out technical details and amenity negotiations.
A time table presented yesterday shows open houses and public hearings over the next couple of months, with a final vote scheduled for February 27.
In 2014, Esquimalt council used such a rezoning process for the same McLoughlin Point site to sink the region's sewage treatment efforts.