TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE:

Councillor Mattson, Chair
Mayor Tobias
Councillor Brown
Councillor Lemon
Councillor MacKenzie
Councillor Rogers

REGRETS:

Councillor Kowalewich

PRESENT ALSO:

S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer
E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration
L. Taylor, Director of Development Services
I. Leung, Director of Engineering
S. Vella, Director of Finance
S. Scory, Senior Planner
6 members of the public
0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Councillor Mattson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Councillor Mattson 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, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held June 10, 2025

MOVED BY: Councillor MacKenzie SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held June 10, 2025 be adopted as presented. CARRIED

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) L. Megenbir, BC Transit, Re: BC Transit’s Victoria Regional Transit Plan Update

Mr. Megenbir gave an update to the Committee regarding BC Transit’s Victoria Regional Transit Plan project.

The Committee, staff, and Mr. Megenbir discussed several key points regarding the Victoria Regional Transit Plan project, including: Route 40; potential changes to service levels at Victoria General Hospital; bus service to the John Horgan Campus; service levels and frequency; and public engagement.

b) P. Klassen, Capital Regional District (CRD), Re: CRD Proposed Regional Transportation Service Update

Mr. Klassen updated the Committee on the proposed CRD Regional Transportation Service.

The Committee and Mr. Klassen discussed the Regional Transportation Service, including its role in addressing roadway capacity and traffic challenges in View Royal, providing input to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, coordination with the Town’s road planning and infrastructure projects, considerations for safe travel by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles in high-traffic areas, involvement with the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, E&N Rail Trail, and potential extensions to trail network.

c) I. Morrissey, Spasticity Research and Awareness Society, Re: 2025 Grant-in-Aid Request

Ms. Morrissey gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the Spasticity Research and Awareness Society’s grant-in-aid request.

The Committee and Ms. Morrissey discussed the possibility of contributions from other municipalities, and goal of viewing events.

d) Z. Wells, Wear2Start Society, Re: 2025 Grant-in-Aid Request

Ms. Wells, spoke to the Committee regarding the Wear2Start Society’s grant-in-aid request in support of the Care4You program.

The Committee and Ms. Wells discussed access to the service, funding, and storefront location.

6. REPORTS

6.1 STAFF REPORTS

a) Official Community Plan Review and Update - Phase 1 and 2 Update

Report dated June 24, 2025 from the Senior Planner

The Senior Planner and Director of Development Services provided the Committee with a summary of the report.

The Committee and staff discussed scope of work, community engagement, and funding considerations.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

COW-21-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that all funds related to the Official Community Plan Review and Update be funded from the Growing Communities Fund. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

COW-22-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that an additional $90,000 from the Growing Communities Fund be allocated to the 2025 budget for the Official Community Plan review and update (Non-Core Project N-025) to enable staff to carry on with Phase 1 and begin substantial work on Phase 2 of the Official Community Plan update;

AND THAT the 2025-2029 Financial Plan be amended accordingly. CARRIED

b) Update to Amend the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to Require Commercial Space or Public Space in New Developments

Report dated June 17, 2025 from the Senior Planner

The Senior Planner gave a review of the report to the Committee.

The Committee and staff discussed the potential for including a statement in the Official Community Plan requiring new developments of four-storeys or more to incorporate commercial or public use space, whether a zoning bylaw amendment would be needed, and whether future development applications should address commercial or public use space, building height, and floor space ratio.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

THAT the meeting now recess at 6:43 p.m. CARRIED

Councillor Mattson called the meeting to order at 8:12 p.m.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

COW-23-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the 2025-2026 Official Community Plan (OCP) update include a policy statement that new development four-storeys or greater should incorporate commercial or public use space. CARRIED

c) Ongoing Review of 2026 Capital Project and Non-Core Project Summaries

Report dated July 3, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

COW-24-25 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the report dated July 3, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Ongoing Review of 2026 Capital Project and Non-Core Project Summaries” be tabled to the September 9, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting. CARRIED

d) Council Resolution Follow-Up List – 2nd Quarter Update

Report dated June 26, 2025 from the Executive Assistant

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT the report dated June 26, 2025 from the Executive Assistant titled “Council Resolution Follow-up List – 2nd Quarter Update” be received for information. CARRIED

e) CAO Update

Report dated July 2, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the report dated July 2, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information. CARRIED

f) Building and Housing Report for June 2025

Building and Housing Report

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the Building and Housing Report for June 2025 be received. CARRIED

6.2 PORTFOLIO REPORTS:

6.2.1 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Tobias

The Mayor thanked staff for their hard work during tax time. The Mayor also announced the appointment of Ms. Bolster as the new Director of Corporate Administration, and he noted his upcoming meeting with S. McLean, Member of Parliament to discuss federal funding.

6.2.2 PROTECTIVE SERVICES & YOUTH – Councillor Brown

Councillor Brown reported that the RCMP is holding a meeting to provide an update on the new building’s progress.

6.2.3 ENGAGEMENT – Councillor Kowalewich

6.2.4 ARTS & LIBRARY – Councillor Lemon

Councillor Lemon noted that J. Cullington, on behalf of the Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society, is scheduled to present to the Capital Regional District in support of a new performing arts facilities service and hope for an arts facility in the West Shore.

6.2.5 ENVIRONMENT, PARKS & RECREATION – Councillor MacKenzie

Councillor MacKenzie reported the progress of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan; and the successful launch of the pickleball courts.

6.2.6 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson

6.2.7 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Rogers

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025