MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025
Minutes from the previous Committee of the Whole meeting covering reports on public safety, rezoning applications, and portfolio updates from council members.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE:
- Mayor Tobias
- Councillor Brown
- Councillor Kowalewich
- Councillor Lemon
- Councillor MacKenzie
- Councillor Mattson
- Councillor Rogers
PRESENT ALSO:
- S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer
- S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration/Deputy CAO
- L. Taylor, Director of Development Services
- I. Leung, Director of Engineering
- P. Hurst, Director of Protective Services
- T. Ziegler, Director of Finance
- S. Scory, Senior Planner
- E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer
10 members of the public 0 members of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
The Mayor acknowledged that this meeting is being held on the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS, ADOPTION OF
a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held November 12, 2024
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held November 12, 2024 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
4. CHAIR’S REPORT
Mayor Tobias welcomed the Town’s new Director of Finance, T. Ziegler, and reported:
- BC Transit has assigned a contact for residents regarding the Island Highway Transit Priority Upgrade Project;
- he is seeking a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to discuss the Highway 1 Bus on Shoulder Lanes Project;
- he had meetings with D. Rotchford, MLA, and new South Island Prosperity Partnership CEO, A. Stone;
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation released a report on vacancy rates and rental affordability; and
- View Royal Official Community Plan Review Advisory Committee held its first meeting on January 13, 2025.
5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
a) G. Brown, Chief Administrative Officer, West Shore Parks and Recreation, Re: 2025-2029 West Shore Parks and Recreation Financial Plan
Mr. Brown gave a summary of the West Shore Parks and Recreation 2025-2029 Financial Plan.
The Committee and Mr. Brown discussed youth drop-in programs, master plan currently in progress, pickleball courts, and budget increase.
b) M. Sawa, CEO and M. Barnes, Assistant Director, Finance, Greater Victoria Public Library, Re: Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) 2025 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan
Mr. A. Appleton, Chair, GVPL, thanked the Town for their continued commitment and support and introduced Ms. Sawa and Ms. Barnes, who gave a summary of the Greater Victoria Library 2025 budget and five-year plan.
The Committee and Ms. Sawa discussed funding, library promotion, services, large expenditures, funds for labour and materials, future facility needs in the Metchosin/Royal Bay area, and core funding from the Province.
c) K. Easton, Director of Implementation, Foundry, Re: Foundry West Shore, Sooke and Port Renfrew
K. Easton, gave an overview of the Foundry’s services, need for an additional facility on the West Shore, governance and partnerships, funding, and project priorities.
The Committee and Ms. Easton discussed the Village Initiative, Thrive Social Services Society – Foundry’s host – and services.
d) M. Groulx, Chief Bylaw Officer, Capital Regional District, Re: CRD Animal Control Update
The CRD’s Chief Bylaw Officer discussed animal control statistics and calls for service in View Royal.
The Committee and Mr. Groulx discussed changes in staffing and the complexity of bylaw work.
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
7. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
8. REPORTS
8.1 STAFF REPORTS
a) Public Safety Report for November – December 2024
- Report dated January 7, 2025 from the Director of Protective Services
The Director of Protective Services gave a summary of the report to the Committee and reported on the hiring of a new Assistant Chief, K. Malinosky.
The Committee and staff discussed evacuation plans, E-Comm 9-1-1 police dispatch funding, and calls for service.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the report dated January 7, 2025 from the Director of Protective Services titled “Public Safety Report for November – December 2024” be received for information. CARRIED
b) Rezoning 2022-06 and Development Permit 2024-05 – 14, 14A Helmcken Road and 6 Camden Avenue
- Report dated December 13, 2024 from the Senior Planner
The Community Planner gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
The Committee and staff discussed the process of drafting a comprehensive development (CD) zone, what may be included in a CD Zone, and the implications and challenges of drafting a CD Zone with embedded variances to parking and maneuvering aisle requirements, and setbacks.
The Committee and staff reviewed the timing of the application and next steps in the application process, including the opportunity for public comment on the requested variances.
The Committee inquired as to the process for on-site tree and vegetation removal or alteration post-development. Staff confirmed that the site would be subject to development permit regulations as well as strata approval.
The Committee and Mr. Hopkins, applicant, discussed the proposed project.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the report dated December 13, 2024 from the Senior Planner titled “Rezoning 2022-06 and Development Permit 2024-05 – 14, 14A Helmcken Road and 6 Camden Avenue” be received for information. CARRIED
c) CAO Update
- Report dated January 8, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the report dated January 8, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information. CARRIED
d) Building Department Report for December 2024
- Building Department Report for December 2024
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the Building Department Report for December 2024 be received for information. CARRIED
e) Council Resolution Follow-up List – 4th Quarter Update
- Report dated January 8, 2025 from the Executive Assistant
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the report dated January 8, 2025 from the Executive Assistant titled “Council Resolution Follow-up List – 4th Quarter Update” be received for information. CARRIED
8.2 PORTFOLIO REPORTS
8.2.1 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Tobias The Mayor discussed the new Committee of the Whole structure and stated the chairing responsibility will now rotate amongst Committee members. In response to the Mayor’s request for a Town representative for health and wellness-related matters, Councillor Mattson volunteered.
8.2.2 PROTECTIVE SERVICES & YOUTH – Councillor Brown Councillor Brown noted that he had attended his first Victoria Family and Youth Justice Committee meeting. He commented on the Province’s decision to initiate an independent review of the E-Comm and 9-1-1 service.
8.2.3 ENGAGEMENT – Councillor Kowalewich Councillor Kowalewich stated he is working toward encouraging youth representation on the View Royal Official Community Plan Review Advisory Committee or input into the Review generally as an alternative to direct representation.
8.2.4 ARTS & LIBRARY – Councillor Lemon Councillor Lemon indicated she has nothing to report.
8.2.5 ENVIRONMENT, PARKS & RECREATION – Councillor MacKenzie Councillor MacKenzie noted she will be attending her first West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board meeting and thanked Councillor Kowalewich for his work on the Board. She also stated that the pickleball court construction at West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre is underway.
8.2.6 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson Councillor Mattson brought forward his notice of motion regarding the potential to require ground floor commercial space in new developments. He asked about parking management plans for projects during the construction phase and suggested more frequent street sweeping. Councillor Mattson inquired about the commercial tenant for the Royale development at Helmcken Road and Island Highway.
8.2.7 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Rogers Councillor Rogers thanked staff for upgrading EV charging stations for Town vehicles and thanked the Mayor and staff for working with Ministry of Transportation and Transit and BC Transit to resolve issues for residents on Price Road. He also inquired about the signage application for the commercial development at Island Highway and Helmcken Road and the timing for installation of the traffic light at Price Road.
8.3 OTHER REPORTS
9. NEW BUSINESS
a) Resolution to 2025 AVICC Convention – Councillor Rogers
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Tobias
COW-01-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Mayor advocate to inform and hopefully reverse the August 27, 2024 Ministerial Order No. BA 2024 03 amending the BC Building Code to permit residential buildings with single-exit stairwells. CARRIED
10. QUESTION PERIOD
11. TERMINATION
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 6:45 p.m. CARRIED
MAYOR
CORPORATE OFFICER
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