TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
Minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held on March 11, 2025, documenting decisions on development permits and financial plan insights.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE: Councillor Kowalewich, Chair Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Mattson – via Microsoft Teams Councillor Rogers – arrived at 3:35 p.m.
REGRETS: Councillor Lemon
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 J. Chow, Senior Planner L. Curtis, Community Planner E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer 8 members of the public 0 members of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER
Councillor Kowalewich called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m.
Councillor Kowalewich 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 MacKenzie
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 February 11, 2025
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Mayor Tobias
THAT the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held February 11, 2025 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
4. CHAIR’S REPORT
The Chair acknowledged Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and commented on current international, federal, provincial, and local political events.
5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
7. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
8. REPORTS
8.1 STAFF REPORTS
a) West Shore RCMP Update
- Verbal update from Supt. Preston
Superintendent Preston discussed community events, statistics, open files, and calls for service in View Royal.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the West Shore RCMP verbal update from Supt. Preston be received. CARRIED
b) Development Variance Permit 2024-03 – 2401 Burnside Road West
- Report dated February 26, 2025 from the Community Planner
The Community Planner gave a summary of the report to the Committee.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor
THAT the Committee recommend that Council, after giving notice, consider the following motion:
“THAT Council authorize the issuance of Development Variance Permit No. 2024-03 for 2401 Burnside Road West, in accordance with plans submitted to the Development Services Department on February 27, 2025, subject to:
a. Proposed development meeting all of the Town’s Sign Bylaw requirements, except for the following variances:
i. increase the maximum height permitted for the location of a wall sign from 4.5m to 5.20m for Sign 2; and ii. increase the maximum height permitted for the location of a wall sign from 4.5m to 7.1m for Sign 3.
FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECONDER
MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
COW-07-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Development Variance Permit No. 2024-03 for 2401 Burnside Road West be declined. CARRIED Councillor Brown opposed
c) Development Permit 2024-06 – 4 Helmcken Road (SSMUH)
- Report dated February 27, 2025 from the Community Planner
The Community Planner reviewed the report for the Committee. The Director of Engineering clarified that the staircase showing on the northeastern corner of the site plan dated February 18, 2025 would not be permitted as it encroaches on municipal land.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Mayor Tobias
COW-08-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council, to consider the following motion:
THAT Council authorize the issuance of Development Permit No. 2024-06 for 4 Helmcken Road, in accordance with the plans submitted to the Development Services Department on February 18, 2025, subject to:
- a plan revision to indicate that the parking spaces are energized electric vehicle spaces and the Class 1 bicycle parking spaces are energized bicycle parking spaces in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed
d) Development Permit with Variances Application No. 2024-03 – 294, 296 Eltham Road and 242 Helmcken Road
- Report dated March 4, 2025 from the Senior Planner
The Senior Planner gave an overview of the report to the Committee.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
COW-09-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council, after giving notice, consider the following motion:
THAT Council authorize the issuance of Development Permit with Variances Application No. 2024-03 for 294, 296 Eltham Road and 242 Helmcken Road, in accordance with plans submitted to the Development Services Department on November 12, 2024, subject to:
a. proposed development meeting all of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw requirements, except for the following variances:
- increase the building height from 11.25m to 11.75m;
- reduce the width of a manoeuvring aisle from 7.6m to 6.0m;
- siting of an accessory structure (arched trellis) in the flanking yard; and
b. the applicant confirming the proposed fence and retaining wall heights on the plans, in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. CARRIED
e) Financial Plan Insights 2025-2029
- Report dated March 6, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer reviewed the report for the Committee.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the report dated March 6, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Financial Plan Insights 2025-2029” be received for information. CARRIED
f) CAO Update
- Report dated March 5, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer
MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT the report dated March 5, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information. CARRIED
g) Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way Intersection Protection Measures
- Report dated January 31, 2025 from the Director of Engineering
The Director of Engineering gave a summary of the report to the Committee.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
COW-10-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that consideration of the installation of a “quick building traffic calming curb” to protect northbound cyclists from intersection traffic within the Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way intersection be tabled. CARRIED Councillors MacKenzie and Mattson opposed
h) Building Department Report for February 2025
- Building Department Report for February 2025
MOVED BY: Councillor SECONDED: Councillor
THAT the Building Department Report for February 2025 be received for information. CARRIED
8.2 PORTFOLIO REPORTS:
8.2.1 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Tobias The Mayor noted a ceremony will be held March 12, 2025 to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the end of Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan. He further discussed the RCMP building project, describing ongoing validation work, View Royal’s project share, borrowing approval options, public information to be available on a website, and working with the Cities of Colwood and Langford.
8.2.2 PROTECTIVE SERVICES & YOUTH – Councillor Brown Councillor Brown thanked staff for flying the Ukrainian flag at Town Hall and discussed an “at large” versus a “ward” system for the School Board.
8.2.3 ENGAGEMENT – Councillor Kowalewich Councillor Kowalewich noted there is now a youth representative appointed to the Official Community Plan Review Advisory Committee.
8.2.4 ARTS & LIBRARY – Councillor Lemon
8.2.5 ENVIRONMENT, PARKS & RECREATION – Councillor MacKenzie Councillor MacKenzie discussed opportunities for the public to participate in the current West Shore Parks and Recreation Society’s Facilities Master Plan survey and engagement work.
8.2.6 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson Councillor Mattson noted he has been working with the Vancouver Island Division of Family Practice, seeking opportunities to increase the number of general practitioners in View Royal.
8.2.7 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Rogers Councillor Rogers discussed opportunities for the public to participate in the current Capital Regional District’s regional water infrastructure survey.
8.3 OTHER REPORTS
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. QUESTION PERIOD
a) C. McDougald, View Royal Avenue, inquired into the renewal of the road maintenance contract. The Director of Engineering noted that next steps will be brought forward to Council soon.
11. TERMINATION
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 5:47 p.m. CARRIED
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