Minutes of a Special Council Meeting held Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Formal minutes from the special council meeting on May 12, covering financial statements and short-term rental discussions.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE: Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown Councillor Lemon Councillor Mattson Councillor Rogers
REGRETS: Councillor MacKenzie
PRESENT ALSO: S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration I. Leung, Director of Engineering L. Taylor, Director of Development Services S. Vella, Director of Finance J. Adams, Deputy Director of Finance J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration L. Curtis, Community Planner
9 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 Brown SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson
THAT the agenda be amended to include items 10. a) to c);
AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
a) D. Fownes, Jedburgh Place, expressed her concerns regarding short-term rental regulations in View Royal and noted the Town’s regulations should aligned with provincial regulations.
4. BYLAWS
a) Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1169, 2026
A Bylaw to Levy Rates for Municipal, Regional District, and Regional Hospital Purposes for the Year 2026
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Brown
THAT Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1169, 2026 be adopted. CARRIED
5. MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor provided updates regarding the E&N Reconciliation Corridor Initiative and shared proposed plans for a non-profit primary care clinic in View Royal.
6. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
a) E. Wren and L. Megenbir, BC Transit, Re: Update on the Victoria Regional Transit Plan
L. Megenbir gave a presentation to Council regarding the Victoria Regional Transit Plan and discussed the core goals and status of the project, future mobility hubs, and network modernization.
Council inquired about regional mobility priorities, including the future Six Mile mobility hub, rapid transit, the E&N Rail Corridor, bus shelters, representation on the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, and the Helmcken park-and-ride.
7. STAFF REPORTS
a) 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements
- Report dated May 4, 2026 from the Deputy Director of Finance
The Deputy Director of Finance, and the auditor, L. Blomer, MNP, gave presentations to Council regarding the 2025 consolidated financial statements and audit results.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon
THAT the 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements be accepted and approved. CARRIED
b) Development Variance Permit 2026-01 - 254 Island Highway
- Report dated April 30, 2026 from the Community Planner
The Community Planner gave a presentation and overview of the report to Council.
Council and staff discussed EV charging infrastructure, parking requirements, loading zones, cash-in-lieu of parking provisions, and residential parking signage.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon
C-114-26 THAT after giving notice, Council consider the following motion:
THAT Council authorize the issuance of Development Variance Permit 2026-01 for 254 Island Highway in accordance with plans submitted to the Development Services Department on March 9 and 27, 2026, subject to the development meeting all of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw requirements, except for the following variances:
- reduce the required number of parking spaces from 15 to 4; and
- reduce the required number of accessible parking spaces from 1 to nil. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed
c) Home Occupation Regulations Update
- Report dated April 16, 2026 from the Community Planner
The Community Planner gave a presentation and overview of the report to Council.
Council and staff discussed daycare uses, regulations related to bed-and-breakfast operations within home-based businesses, and parking.
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson
C-115-26 THAT staff prepare the necessary bylaw amendments to amend the home occupation regulations in Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Sign Bylaw No. 950, 2018, Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016, Municipal Ticketing Bylaw No. 643, 2007, and Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 to come into effect on January 1, 2027. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed
d) Overview of Short-Term Rentals
- Report dated April 30, 2026 from the Director of Development Services
The Director of Development Services gave a presentation and overview of the report to Council.
Council and staff discussed the definition of a short-term rental, short-term rental regulations in nearby municipalities, licensing fees, and bylaw enforcement considerations.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Brown
THAT the report dated April 30, 2026 from the Director of Development Services titled “Overview of Short-Term Rentals” be received for information. CARRIED
e) Residential Development Update
- Report dated April 29, 2026 from the Director of Development Services
The Director of Development Services gave a presentation and overview of the report to Council.
Council discussed obtaining data on local rental housing supply and vacancy rates, and inquired about the development status of the former Cambridge Hotel site.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon
THAT the report dated April 29, 2026 from the Director of Development Services titled “Residential Development Update” be received for information. CARRIED
f) Departmental Update
- Report dated April 27, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer gave an overview of the report to Council.
Council and staff discussed traffic disruptions on major arterial roads, the addition of new bus stops, and concerns regarding monitoring of water quality at beaches in View Royal.
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson
C-116-26 THAT staff investigate options to include View Royal beaches in water quality monitoring and public health advisory programs, including engagement with Island Health and other relevant agencies. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED BY: Councillor Mattson
THAT the report dated April 27, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled "Departmental Update" be received for information. CARRIED
8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
9. CORRESPONDENCE
10. CONSENT AGENDA
a) Email dated May 9, 2026 from D. Fownes, Re: Short Term Rentals
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 9, 2026 from D. Fownes, Re: Short Term Rentals be received. CARRIED
b) Email dated May 10, 2026 from J. Roach, Re: Short Term Rentals
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 10, 2026 from J. Roach, Re: Short Term Rentals be received. CARRIED
c) Email dated May 11, 2026 from M. Banuta, Re: Short Term Rentals
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 11, 2026 from M. Banuta, Re: Short Term Rentals be received. CARRIED
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 Brown SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers
THAT this meeting now adjourn. Time: 8:09 p.m. CARRIED
Document Images
(1)
Related Documents
(5)Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014
Bylaw No. 900 · Referenced in 1 section
Sign Bylaw No. 950, 2018
Bylaw No. 950 · Referenced in 1 section
Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016
Bylaw No. 952 · Referenced in 1 section
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, No. 643, 2007
Bylaw No. 643 · Referenced in 1 section
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 - Schedule A
Bylaw No. 958 · Referenced in 1 section