REFERRED COUNCIL INITIATIVES FROM DECEMBER 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
A review of outstanding council initiatives referred from late 2018, primarily focusing on trails, heritage preservation, and transportation advisory committees.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
Finance & Administration Report
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: September 3, 2019 FROM: S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration MEETING DATE: September 10, 2019
REFERRED COUNCIL INITIATIVES FROM DECEMBER 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated September 3, 2019 from the Director of Corporate Administration titled “Referred Council Initiatives from December 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting” be received.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES’ COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To review outstanding “Council Initiatives” referred from the December 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting.
BACKGROUND:
At the December 2018 Committee of the Whole (CoW) meeting, a report entitled “2019-2023 Financial Plan – Council Initiatives” was considered with a view to identifying initiatives for inclusion in the 2019-2023 Financial Plan deliberations.
Based on decisions made at that CoW meeting, the feasibility and financial implications of several Council identified initiatives were further investigated and included in the budget deliberations.
Several other Council identified initiatives were reviewed and determined to be items for discussion during either a future CoW or Strategic Plan meeting. Based on subsequent Strategic Plan work by Council in 2019, where a decision was made to move from a “task list” Plan to a more aspirational/visionary Plan, the referred initiatives are now all explored in this Committee of the Whole report.
DISCUSSION:
In reviewing the referred items, there are two main themes that emerge – trails and heritage. Items that do not fall into these two areas are also included in the report below.
Specifically for trails, the following items were considered in December 2018:
- “Formalize the informal trails that already exist connecting communities: Nursery Hill to Byron [Brydon] Road; water main trail from Erskine to VGH; revisit circular trail at Eagle Creek; building the Glentana trail”
The 2019 budget program addresses the Eagle Creek Park loop trail and the development of a Trails Master Plan was discussed to potentially begin in 2020.
With respect to the linkage between Nursery Hill and Brydon Road, it appears that this informal trail is in the TransCanada Highway road allowance. Any formalization would need to receive Provincial approval as an initial step.
For the “water main trail” from Erskine Lane to the Victoria General Hospital site, this currently informal linkage traverses a Capital Regional District waterline (which bisects 9 Erskine Lane) and then private property at 2 Hospital Road. There is potential to discuss a public pedestrian linkage as properties develop in this area, but staff do not recommend the expenditure of public funds on private land to formalize trails that are not established by either land purchase or donation, or, less-than ideally, the granting of a statutory right-of-way for public usage.
As the Committee is aware from prior discussions, the trail into Portage Park from Glentana Road is the responsibility of the developer of 105-108 Glentana Road and is not intended to be undertaken by the Town.
It is anticipated that, should a Trails Master Plan become an approved project through budget deliberations, the formalization of informal trails could be considered as part of that project. Otherwise, this matter is concluded.
- “Build the circular trail to/from Mill Hill Park to Edwards Park across hill contours.”
Mill Hill Park is a Capital Regional District (CRD) park and any trail-building within it is the responsibility of the CRD. View Royal is responsible for Edwards Park. Linkages between the two parks will require agreement between the two parties prior to construction.
As noted in item 1 above, should a Trails Master Plan become an approved project in the future, linkages to parks outside of the Town’s boundaries could be considered as part of that project. This matter is concluded pending a funding decision on the Trails Master Plan project.
- “Establish a volunteer trail building group.”
It is understood that there are individuals in the community that have already undertaken volunteer trail building work (for example in Portage Park) and continue to be available for such work in the future. As discussed at prior CoW meetings, Town staff is able to work with such a group on specific projects when and where appropriate and the development of a formalized standing group is not recommended.
It should be noted that there are several other existing volunteer initiatives that these individuals may already participate in or could join to improve the Town’s outdoor spaces – the invasive species removal work parties led by C. Junck and periodic projects undertaken by Volunteer View Royal where additional helping hands are always welcome. No further action is recommended.
- “Proactive planning for short/long term lists: sidewalks, trails, parks master plan action items.”
While sidewalks and parks are already covered by the annual capital budget and the Parks Master Plan respectively, the trails aspect could be addressed in the Trails Master Plan contemplated as an initiative for 2020 (see item 1 above). This matter is concluded pending a funding decision on the Trails Master Plan project.
Going back to the Parks Master Plan item, the Plan was adopted in June 2017. While it is appropriate to periodically review master plans, it is recommended that this Plan not be reviewed at this time given its recent adoption. However, staff confirm that Plan recommendations are taken into account when departmental work plans and annual budget requests are developed. No further action is recommended.
For heritage items, the following items were considered at the December 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting:
- “Hire Hallmark Society to compile ‘Statement of Significance’ list of important structures in View Royal.”
When information came to light in early 2010 concerning the impending closures of the two Anglican churches in View Royal, action was taken to create a Community Heritage Register and the two Anglican churches were placed on that Register. At the same time, the report that brought about this Register indicated that additional work would be required to develop a more fulsome heritage program for the municipality, including public engagement as to values from which to even begin such a program.
While heritage work is valuable as noted in the recently completed community survey (39% indicated they strongly agree and 41% indicate they somewhat agree that “the Town should focus on preserving heritage buildings”), this specific initiative that would see the Town retain a service provider is premature. If Council determines that a heritage program is to be pursued, it is appropriate to refer this matter to staff for further investigation of feasibility, costing and potential legal compensation implications. This matter is concluded pending direction concerning the investigation of a heritage program.
- “Adapt Saanich/Esquimalt or Victoria [heritage] conservation policies/bylaw.”
This item could be addressed as an outcome of the development of a heritage program for View Royal if that is Council’s direction (as discussed in item 5 above). This matter is concluded pending direction concerning the investigation of a heritage program.
As noted above, some items considered at the December 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting fall neither into trails work nor heritage but were referred for further discussion. These items are as follows:
- “Re-establish Transportation Advisory Committee.”
Mobility has been identified in the recent Strategic Plan work as a goal under “Enhance Livability”. However, until the Departmental Plans are developed and targets set, staff recommend against proceeding with a “solution” that may or may not assist in meeting the Town’s targets.
As well, given the complexity of transportation issues, any type of committee would best be comprised of professionals as opposed to laypeople. On this note, it is extremely challenging to find qualified individuals – such as transportation or civil engineers – willing to volunteer their time on an on-going basis for such a committee. No further action is recommended at this time.
- “Revise ‘unsightly premises’ to include side and rear yards.”
The Town’s Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 512, 2003 is the bylaw regulating unsightly premises. This Bylaw does not differentiate various yards (front, rear, flanking or side) and simply notes “all yards” and “real property” in describing private land regulations and as such, provisions describing “unsightly premises” apply to all yards. This matter is now concluded.
- “Review/update our policy on Air B&Bs.”
The Town’s Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 already prohibits vacation rentals throughout the municipality. As a Level 3 Home Occupation, bed and breakfasts are permitted, subject to several conditions as outlined in that Bylaw. This matter is now concluded.
- “Endorse and post signage for the Victoria Waterways Loop.”
Councillor Rogers indicated at the December 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting that he would ask the Victoria Waterways Loop organization to present as a petition and delegation to a future Committee of the Whole meeting. If signage is desired, the Committee can provide further direction. At this point, the matter is concluded.
TIME CRITICAL:
No items listed above are time critical. It is up to Council to determine if they wish staff to undertake some of the more complex and time-consuming initiatives such as the investigation into and potential development of a comprehensive heritage program for the Town or the preparation of a Trails Master Plan.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
If Council determines the investigation into and potential development of a comprehensive heritage program and/or the preparation of a Trails Master Plan are key to meeting Strategic Plan or other priorities and concludes they wish staff to undertake the work, both staff and financial resources will be required though the actual value for these is not yet estimated. It should also be noted that any new priorities need to be considered in the context of priorities already established in current plans.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated September 3, 2019 from the Director of Corporate Administration titled “Referred Council Initiatives from December 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting” be received.
SUBMITTED BY: S. Jones, Corporate Officer
REVIEWED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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