Minutes of a Council Meeting held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026
The formal record of the previous council meeting, documenting attendance, public participation, and resolutions passed regarding bylaws and permits.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 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 E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration S. Vella, Director of Finance I. Leung, Director of Engineering L. Taylor, Director of Development Services L. Curtis, Community Planner J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration 11 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: Councillor Rogers
THAT the agenda be amended to include items 7. a) 4. b) and 10. h) to j), move item 10. b) to 11. a), and table item 14. a) 3. to the June 16, 2026 Council meeting;
AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
a) Diane Fownes, Jedburgh Place, spoke about concerns regarding short-term rental regulations.
b) Linda Pakos, Glenairlie Drive, spoke regarding the use of the Helmcken Road park-and-ride, and expressed support for the Development Variance Permit for 254 Island Highway. Ms. Pakos suggested increased parking enforcement for vehicles occupying nearby business parking spaces for extended periods, and expressed concern about safety at the narrow intersection of Stormont Road and Island Highway.
4. BYLAWS
a) Density Bonus Zoning Bylaw Amendments
- Report dated May 25, 2026 from the Director of Development Services
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the report dated May 25, 2026 from the Director of Development Services titled “Density Bonus Zoning Bylaw Amendments” be received for information. CARRIED
- Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1172, 2026 A Bylaw to Amend the Zoning Bylaw with Respect to Repealing Green Roof Density Bonus Provisions, Removing the Underground Density Bonus Provision in the RM-1 Zone and Renaming the Lot Density Provisions
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 1172, 2026 be given first, second, and third reading. CARRIED
b) Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 480, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1171, 2026
A Bylaw to Amend the Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw Regarding the Definition of Acceptable Mark
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 480, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1171, 2026 be adopted. CARRIED
5. MAYOR’S REPORT
a) View Royal Community Primary Care Attachment Clinic
- Concept presentation dated June 2, 2026 from Lorne Friesen, Manager, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine
Mr. Friesen gave a presentation regarding the need for a primary care clinic in View Royal.
Council and Mr. Friesen discussed the proposed primary care clinic, including comparable municipal healthcare models, funding and operating costs, service demand, governance, parking considerations, and next steps for feasibility planning.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
C-125-26 THAT staff work with representatives from Aroga Lifestyle Medicine and other relevant partners to undertake a detailed feasibility assessment for a View Royal Community Primary Care Attachment Clinic, including preparation of a Class C cost estimate for the purpose of a grant application, governance review, partnership analysis, funding strategy, and report back to Council with findings and recommendations. CARRIED
6. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
7. STAFF REPORTS
a) Development Variance Permit 2026-01 – 254 Island Highway
- Report dated May 19, 2026 from the Community Planner
The Community Planner gave a presentation and overview of the report to Council.
Council and staff discussed parking variances for older mixed-use buildings, future parking concerns, parking availability and enforcement, and how the variance would apply if the property changes ownership or use.
- Comments from the Applicant
Kyle Velikovsky, White Wolf Homes, discussed the parking variance request, noting that the business has limited parking needs. He also outlined long-term plans for the site and noted support for the variance from nearby property owners.
Council and Mr. Velikovsky discussed the need for a parking management plan to address occasional peak periods when both staff and members of the public are visiting the site.
Comments from the Public
Correspondence a) Email dated May 23, 2026 from Heather West and Delmer Lang, Re: Application #DVP2026-01
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated May 23, 2026 from Heather West and Delmer Lang, Re: Application #DVP2026-01 be received. CARRIED
b) Email dated May 29, 2026 from James Pickford, Re: 254 Island Highway/Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the email dated May 29, 2026 from James Pickford, Re: 254 Island Highway/Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 be received. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
C-126-26 THAT the Development Variance Permit 2026-01 for 254 Island Highway be issued in accordance with plans submitted to the Development Services Department on May 21, 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
b) Request for Approval - Sewer Pumpstation Contracted Services
- Report dated May 20, 2026 from the Director of Engineering
The Director of Engineering gave an overview of the report to Council.
Council and staff discussed the budget and financial implications, including prior completion of work, consumption rates, asset management considerations, environmental impacts of sewer pump failures, increased inspection requirements, and the Sewer Master Plan.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
C-127-26 THAT the Town enter into a contract with Caird Mechanical Contractors Ltd. for the routine maintenance of the Town’s sanitary sewer pump stations (mechanical assets), until the end of the year (2026), for a total value of $132,470 net of GST. CARRIED
c) Draft Annual Report for Year Ended December 31, 2025
- Report dated May 27, 2026 from the Deputy Director of Corporate Administration
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
C-128-26 THAT the draft Annual Report for year ended December 31, 2025 be received. CARRIED
8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
9. CORRESPONDENCE
10. CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held May 19, 2026
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held May 19, 2026 be received. CARRIED
b) Minutes of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board of Directors meeting held April 16, 2026
(moved to item 11. a)
c) Email dated May 19, 2026 from Diane Fownes, Re: Short Term Rental - Amnesty Period
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 19, 2026 from Diane Fownes, Re: Short Term Rental - Amnesty Period be received. CARRIED
d) Email dated May 20, 2026 from Diane Fownes, Re: Short Term Rental Decision
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 20, 2026 from Diane Fownes, Re: Short Term Rental Decision be received. CARRIED
e) Email dated May 21, 2026 from Diane Fownes, Re: Short Term Rental Concerns from the May 19, 2026 Meeting
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 21, 2026 from Diane Fownes, Re: Short Term Rental Concerns from the May 19, 2026 meeting be received. CARRIED
f) Email dated May 21, 2026 from Rachel McClellan, Re: Requesting Further Discussion on Short Term Rentals
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 21, 2026 from Rachel McClellan, Re: Requesting Further Discussion on Short Term Rentals be received. CARRIED
g) Email dated May 22, 2026 from Rob Black, Re: Short Term Rentals - No Thanks
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 22, 2026 from Rob Black, Re: Short Term Rentals - No Thanks be received. CARRIED
h) Email dated May 28, 2026 from Mary (surname not provided), Re: Short Term Rentals
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the email dated May 28, 2026 from Mary (surname not provided), Re: Short Term Rentals be received. CARRIED
i) Letter dated June 1, 2026 from Jennifer Roach, Re: Short Term Rentals
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the letter dated June 1, 2026 from Jennifer Roach, Re: Short Term Rentals be received. CARRIED
j) Letter received June 1, 2026 from Scott Rutherford, Re: Short Term Rental Support Letter
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the letter received June 1, 2026 from Scott Rutherford, Re: Short Term Rental Support Letter be received. CARRIED
11. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board of Directors meeting held April 16, 2026
Council discussed the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society’s 60th birthday celebration on September 12, 2026, and requested that information regarding the celebration be posted on the Town’s website.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
THAT the minutes of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board of Directors meeting held April 16, 2026 be received. CARRIED
12. NEW BUSINESS
13. QUESTION PERIOD
14. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION
a) Motions
- Construction Related Lane Closures - Councillor Mattson
Council discussed various options to reduce the impact of construction-related road closures on residential areas.
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
C-129-26 THAT staff prepare options to reduce the negative impact of construction related road closures, including but not limited to:
- limiting the hours closures are permitted (ie. not during rush hours);
- requiring those requesting road closures to pay for Traffic Control Persons to redirect commuters out of residential areas and back on to designated roads; and
- increase fees charged to close roads to incent shorter closures. CARRIED
- Expand Helmcken Park and Ride - Councillor Rogers
Council discussed the Helmcken Road park-and-ride, including commuter parking improvements, concerns regarding its use by hospital employees and other non-transit users, parking enforcement, and potential decal systems to help manage legitimate park-and-ride use.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
C-130-26 THAT the Mayor write to BC Transit, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), urging the parties to collaborate on expanding parking capacity at the Helmcken Park and Ride following completion of MOTI’s “Bus on Shoulder Project” and the removal of MOTI staging buildings and equipment from the site. CARRIED
Add Transit Infrastructure to the Active Transportation improvements on Admirals Road - Councillor Rogers (tabled to the June 16, 2026 Council meeting)
De-gazette Portion of Little Road to Add as Parkland - Councillor Rogers
Council discussed previous parcels in View Royal that have been degazetted and converted to parkland, noting that Little Road currently serves as a pathway to Eagle Creek Park. Council further noted that a similar approach would support the preservation and expansion of the community’s tree canopy.
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT staff investigate and report back on the process to degazette all or a portion of Little Road to Watkiss Way and rezone the land as parkland for incorporation into Eagle Creek Park. CARRIED
a) Notices of Motion
14. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION
15. RISING REPORT
16. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT this meeting now adjourn. Time: 7:58 p.m. CARRIED
MAYOR CORPORATE OFFICER
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