MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Minutes of the Public Hearing regarding Rezoning Application No. 2025-01 for 258 Helmcken Road.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING
HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026
VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE:
- Mayor Tobias
- Councillor Brown
- Councillor Lemon
- Councillor Kowalewich
- Councillor Mattson
- Councillor Rogers
REGRETS:
- Councillor MacKenzie
PRESENT ALSO:
- S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer
- E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration
- S. Vella, Director of Finance
- I. Leung, Director of Engineering
- L. Taylor, Director of Development Services
- J. Chow, Senior Planner
- J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration
- 40 members of the public
- 0 members of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Tobias called the Public Hearing to order at 6:00 p.m.
The Mayor acknowledged that the 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 Lemon
THAT the agenda be amended to include items 5. a) 4. l) and m);
AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
3. PUBLIC HEARING
a) Statement of Public Hearing Procedure
Mayor Tobias made a brief statement regarding the procedures for public hearings.
b) Statement of Publication of Public Hearing
The Senior Planner advised that the notice that advertised this Public Hearing was mailed to 852 residents within a 400m radius on January 22, 2026, and posted on the Town’s notice board, website, and social media platforms on January 26, 2026.
4. REPORTS
4.1 STAFF REPORTS
a) Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1160 – Rezoning Application No. 2025-01 for 258 Helmcken Road
- Report dated January 22, 2026 from the Senior Planner
The Senior Planner gave a presentation to Council noting the history of the development, challenges regarding the commercial space, and proposed changes to zoning.
Council and staff discussed the principal uses, parking requirements, and square footage of the commercial space.
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the report dated January 22, 2026, from the Senior Planner titled “Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1160 – Rezoning Application No. 2025-01 for 258 Helmcken Road” be received for information. CARRIED
5. BYLAWS FOR CONSIDERATION
a) Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1160, 2025
A Bylaw to Amend the Zoning Bylaw with Respect to Amending the CD-26: Helmcken/Island Highway Comprehensive Development Zone
Comments from Municipal Staff As above.
Comments from the Applicant a) N. Paltiel, Island View Land Management, gave an overview of the challenges acquiring a tenant for the commercial space and shared about a perspective tenant.
Council discussed future potential for a grocery tenant, challenges with parking, and confirmed with the developer the efforts made to secure a grocery store tenant for the commercial space.
Comments from the Public a) A. de Rosenroll, Palmer Station, discussed the viability of a medical clinic/café business model, and concerns regarding parking and square footage. b) C. Blanchard, Island Highway, questioned the principal uses of the commercial space, and discussed café seating and parking. c) D. Marron, Stewart Avenue, questioned the rental costs of the commercial space, and noted she wishes for a grocery store to be located in the commercial space. d) L. Morrison, View Royal Avenue, stated the need for a medical facility in the community. e) K. Williaume, Stewart Avenue, asked for clarification regarding the type of medical service for the commercial space. f) S. Presho, Pallisier Avenue, shared her support for a local grocery store in the commercial space, and inquired about the efforts of the developer to secure a grocer tenant. g) V. Dammann, Pallisier Avenue, expressed the desire for a grocery store in the commercial space. h) P. Hardy, Nia Lane, noted his support for a medical clinic in the commercial space. i) C. White, Eltham Road, discussed a petition circulated to have the grocery store remain in the commercial space, and impact to neighbouring property owners due to overflow parking. j) Melanie (no surname provided), View Royal Avenue, expressed her support for a medical clinic in the commercial space. k) C. McDougall, View Royal Avenue, asked for clarification on the uses of the commercial space, and expressed her desire for a grocery store in the commercial space. l) G. Siren, Margaret Lane, discussed the challenges of operating a medical clinic business, and the need for such facilities in the community. m) Mya (no surname provided), View Royal Avenue, expressed her support for a medical clinic use in the commercial space. n) B. DiLucca, Island Highway, via Microsoft Chat Feature, shared concerns about available parking spaces, inquired about medical service use, and expressed her desire for a grocery store. o) K. Porter, Prince Robert Lane, via Microsoft Chat Feature, inquired about the medical clinic space. p) T. Withrow, Pallisier Avenue, via Microsoft Chat Feature, shared concerns about the medical clinic use, and expressed support for a grocery store in the commercial space.
Correspondence a) Email dated September 9, 2025 from T. Blodgett, Re: Rezoning at Helmcken Road/Island Highway
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated September 9, 2025 from T. Blodgett, Re: Rezoning at Helmcken Road/Island Highway be received. CARRIED
b) Letter received September 14, 2025 from J. Pannu and B. Selina, Colliers International, Re: Ground Floor Commercial Space – 258 Helmcken Road, View Royal. B.C.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the letter received September 14, 2025 from J. Pannu and B. Selina, Colliers International, Re: Ground Floor Commercial Space – 258 Helmcken Road, View Royal. B.C. be received. CARRIED
c) Email dated October 5, 2025 from D. Coleman, Re: Developer Request Re: 258 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated October 5, 2025 from D. Coleman, Re: Developer Request Re: 258 Helmcken Road be received. CARRIED
d) Email dated October 7, 2025 from E. Szostak, Re: Re-zoning of 258 Helmcken Road, View Royal
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated October 7, 2025 from E. Szostak, Re: Re-zoning of 258 Helmcken Road, View Royal be received. CARRIED
e) Letter received November 14, 2025 from C. Harris, Re: Zoning Application for 258 Island Highway
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the letter received November 14, 2025 from C. Harris, Re: Zoning Application for 258 Island Highway be received. CARRIED
f) Email dated January 14, 2026 from A. Martin, Re: The Royale
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 14, 2026 from A. Martin, Re: The Royale be received. CARRIED
g) Email dated January 15, 2026 from A. de Rosenroll, Re: 258 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 15, 2026 from A. de Rosenroll, Re: 258 Helmcken Road be received. CARRIED
h) Email dated January 26, 2026 from H. West, Re: Bylaw 1160
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 26, 2026 from H. West, Re: Bylaw 1160 be received. CARRIED
i) Email dated January 28, 2026 from S. Lucas, Re: Regarding Application REZ 2025-01 Facilities Proposed for 258 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 28, 2026 from S. Lucas, Re: Regarding Application REZ 2025-01 Facilities Proposed for 258 Helmcken Road be received. CARRIED
j) Email dated January 28, 2026 from J. Lucas, Re: Regarding Application for Cafe, Clinic and Grocery to 258 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 28, 2026 from J. Lucas, Re: Regarding Application for Cafe, Clinic and Grocery to 258 Helmcken Road be received. CARRIED
k) Email dated January 29, 2026 from K. Henry, Re: REZ 2025-01
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 29, 2026 from K. Henry, Re: REZ 2025-01 be received. CARRIED
l) Email dated January 31, 2026 from S. Ejtehad, Re: 258 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated January 31, 2026 from S. Ejtehad, Re: 258 Helmcken Road be received. CARRIED
m) Email dated February 3, 2026 from B. Shumey, Re: 258 Helmcken Road to Amend CD-26
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated February 3, 2026 from B. Shumey, Re: 258 Helmcken Road to Amend CD-26 be received. CARRIED
6. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT this meeting be adjourned. Time: 7:20 p.m. CARRIED
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