MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE: Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown Councillor Lemon Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Mattson Councillor Rogers

PRESENT ALSO: S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer L. Taylor, Director of Development Services S. Scory, Senior Planner J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration

3 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Brown

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. BYLAWS

4. MAYOR’S REPORT

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

a) R. Painter, Tuzo Court, spoke regarding growth in View Royal and the draft Official Community Plan. b) M. Lloyd, Werra Road, spoke regarding the need for suitable housing that accommodates people with diverse abilities and disabilities.

7. STAFF REPORTS

a) Official Community Plan Review and Update: First Draft Official Community Plan Review

1. Report dated March 19, 2026 from the Senior Planner

The Senior Planner gave a presentation to Council introducing the first draft of the Official Community Plan (OCP), outlining its development process, key updates, and overarching goals. He noted the draft is intended to provide clearer direction for future development, improve readability, and align with Council priorities, with the purpose of the meeting being to collect Council’s feedback on the document.

Council discussed how to reflect public and Council input in the OCP, mid-term OCP updates, the housing needs report and its data, and key housing issues including targets, transit-oriented areas, the Price Road area, and small-scale multi-unit housing.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

C-44-26 THAT staff develop a visual representation of the proposed Western Gateway Community Corridor, illustrating its intended character, design, and land use, in order to support public understanding and engagement in the Official Community Plan process. CARRIED

Council and staff discussed options for requirements for affordable housing.

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-45-26 THAT clear targets for the full range of affordable housing be established and included within the Official Community Plan and associated bylaws and policies;

AND THAT a ratio for housing (non-market versus full market) be set and adjusted using best available data. CARRIED

Mayor Tobias noted redevelopment should support a mix of unit sizes to allow residents to remain within the co-operative as housing needs change.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Mayor Tobias

C-46-26 THAT a policy be established to protect existing below-market housing units by requiring a minimum one-for-one replacement of all below-market units lost through redevelopment;

AND THAT this policy be incorporated into the Official Community Plan and related bylaws, ensuring that redevelopment proposals maintain or replace below-market housing as a condition of approval;

AND FURTHER THAT increased residential density be allowed in the redevelopment of existing co-operative housing sites. CARRIED Councillor MacKenzie opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-47-26 THAT the goal titled “Community Safety & Security” in the Official Community Plan be amended to include that Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles be considered in the review of all applications for new commercial and residential development. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-48-26 THAT the Town position the Victoria General Hospital precinct, including the Transit Oriented Area, as a regional health centre with facilities that provide comprehensive care across all stages of life. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-49-26 THAT the Western Gateway Community Corridor section of the Official Community Plan be enhanced to include an entertainment and cultural precinct, specifically in the Atkins hub. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-50-26 THAT the Town actively seek and encourage ways to ensure a supply of general practitioners and nurse practitioners for View Royal residents. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers

C-51-26 THAT the introductory and guiding language of the Official Community Plan emphasize its role as a covenant with the public, reflecting the community’s collective investment and expectations for growth and development;

AND THAT the Official Community Plan include clear direction that it is to be interpreted and applied with care by Council, staff, developers, and the public;

AND FURTHER THAT any proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan demonstrate clear public benefit, particularly where such amendments represent a significant departure from the existing plan. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-52-26 THAT the Official Community Plan include clear annotations and proper footnotes for all data sources. CARRIED Councillor Mackenzie opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-53-26 THAT a section titled “The History of View Royal” be added to the Official Community Plan. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

THAT this meeting now recess. Time: 8:17 p.m. CARRIED

The Mayor reconvened the meeting at 8:23 p.m.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

C-54-26 THAT the E&N Rail Corridor continue to be recognized as a transportation corridor in the Official Community Plan;

AND THAT the E&N Rail Corridor remain as a strategic priority. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-55-26 THAT the map titled “View Royal’s Corridors” in the Official Community Plan be amended to include Watkiss Way as a corridor. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Mayor Tobias

C-56-26 THAT the goal titled “Community Input and Governance” in the Official Community Plan be amended to read: “Ensure View Royal community members are meaningfully informed and involved in the advancement of community goals and priorities.” CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

THAT the Official Community Plan include a policy for the creation and maintenance of advisory committees for Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Development, and Sustainability Climate Action.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT the above motion be amended to remove specific titles of committees. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed

C-57-26 THAT the Official Community Plan include a policy for the creation and maintenance of standing committees. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson

C-58-26 THAT the bullet under “Land Use Objectives and Policies” in the Official Community Plan be amended to read: “Manage development to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural environment, parks, trails, shoreline, and waterbodies.” CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

C-59-26 THAT the Official Community Plan exclude policies to reduce off-street parking requirements, except where such reductions are required by provincial legislation. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Mayor Tobias

THAT any policies in the Official Community Plan that permit bonus density ensure that such density is provided for the purpose of delivering affordable housing. DEFEATED Councillors Lemon, MacKenzie and Rogers opposed

Councillor Mattson spoke regarding the policies section in the Official Community Plan titled “Housing Supply” making reference to the item considering pre-zoning.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor MacKenzie

C-60-26 THAT policies to pre-zone sites for multi-unit housing development be excluded from the Official Community Plan, except for sites already pre-zoned as Transit-Oriented-Areas and/or Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing by provincial legislation. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

THAT the meeting be extended to 9:30 p.m. CARRIED

Councillor Mattson spoke regarding the policies section in the Official Community Plan titled “Housing Supply” making reference to the item considering form and character development permit area requirements.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

C-61-26 THAT the current form and character development permit area requirements be retained for residential developments of two units or less, including duplexes and garden suites. CARRIED Mayor Tobias opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor

THAT the installation of wood-burning fireplaces be prohibited in all new single-family residential developments. FAILED FOR LACK OF SECONDER

MOVED BY: Councillor Mackenzie SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers

C-62-26 THAT background information be provided on the provincial housing legislation, including but not limited to Bill 44 (Housing Statutes Amendment Act), in the Official Community Plan, which limits Council’s decision-making authority. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Mayor Tobias

C-63-26 THAT the Official Community Plan be amended to consistently address the Atkins area as the Atkins Neighbourhood Village. CARRIED

Councillor Rogers discussed the section titled “Big Move: Western Gateway Employment District Corridor Policies”, specifically the policy referring to medium-density mixed-use development in the Official Community Plan Summary Report.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Brown

C-64-26 THAT the Neighbourhood Village designation land uses be amended to include “Community Care Facility” in the Official Community Plan. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

C-65-26 THAT the bullet under “Objectives” in “Community Infrastructure and Services” in the Official Community Plan be amended to read: “Guide infrastructure investments using asset management programs that maximize the value and lifespan of public and natural assets.” CARRIED

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

9. CORRESPONDENCE

10. CONSENT AGENDA

11. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

12. NEW BUSINESS

13. QUESTION PERIOD

14. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION

15. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION

16. RISING REPORT

17. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Brown

THAT this meeting now adjourn. Time: 9:37 p.m. CARRIED

MAYOR

CORPORATE OFFICER