TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

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

PRESENT ALSO: S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration L. Taylor, Director of Development Services S. Vella, Director of Finance J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration 7 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Councillor Brown called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Councillor Brown acknowledged that this meeting is being held on the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF

a) Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held April 14, 2026

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held April 14, 2026 be adopted as presented. CARRIED

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) Paul Nursey, Destination Greater Victoria, Re: Greater Victoria Hotel Development Working Group

Mr. Nursey gave a presentation regarding the process, findings, and recommendations of the Greater Victoria Hotel Development Working Group.

The Committee and Mr. Nursey discussed ways to attract hotel development, including streamlining approvals, identifying suitable sites, and proactively engaging hotel brands. They also considered potential community benefits from hotel projects, such as meeting spaces, conference facilities, affordable accommodations for certain visitors, and public amenities.

6. REPORTS

6.1 STAFF REPORTS

a) Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw to Attract Hotel Development

1. Report dated June 4, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer

The Chief Administrative Officer gave an overview of the report to the Committee.

The Committee discussed possible tax exemption structures and timelines, community benefits that could be negotiated, how incentives would apply to building improvements, and ways to make View Royal more competitive in attracting hotel investment.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

COW-31-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that staff draft a Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw pursuant to Section 226 of the Community Charter defining the Town’s objective of attracting hotel development on suitable properties. CARRIED

b) Official Community Plan Review and Update: Final Draft

1. Report dated May 15, 2026 from the Director of Development Services and Senior Planner

The Director of Development Services gave an overview of the report.

The Committee and staff discussed the process for making changes to the Official Community Plan (OCP) after a public hearing.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Tobias

COW-32-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Action Plan be separated from the draft Official Community Plan and maintained as a standalone document. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the definition for “Bike facility” in the draft Official Community Plan glossary be amended to:

“A bike facility is a broad term for any physical infrastructure, pavement marking, or street provision designated to accommodate or encourage bicycling. The primary goals of these facilities is to improve cycling safety and comfort.” DEFEATED Councillors Brown, Lemon, MacKenzie, and Mattson opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Section 4.0, “The History of View Royal,” in the draft Official Community Plan be revised to better reflect the full history of View Royal. FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECONDER

The Committee discussed the definition of stacked development, map reference amendments, the percentage of accessible units required in new multi-unit residential developments, and simulations being provided to Council to assist them in understanding the capacity of the existing road network to support future development.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that weekend transit service information (Saturday and Sunday) be included in the definition for “Frequent Transit” on page 52 of the draft Official Community Plan. FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECONDER

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that “Little Road unnamed park” be removed from the list of areas identified as Agricultural Land Reserve in section 5.15.1 – Context of the draft Official Community Plan. FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECONDER

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

COW-33-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Objective “8.2.4 Regional Traffic and Resident Needs” in the draft Official Community Plan be amended to recognize both resident and business needs as a priority. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that “Economic Backbone” listed under Policy 8.3.1 of the draft Official Community Plan be moved to second in the hierarchy. FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECONDER

Mayor Tobias raised a point of order concerning Councillor Roger’s comments and recommendations on the draft Official Community Plan, stating the level of detail was too granular.

Councillor Rogers noted that some trails may be missing from Map 15 – Parks, Open Spaces, Trails, and Community Facilities in the draft Official Community Plan. The Director of Development Services advised that the map includes only municipally owned trails.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

COW-34-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a photograph of the rock wall art installation on Island Highway titled “Love Story” be included in the draft Official Community Plan. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

COW-35-26 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the final draft of the Official Community Plan be updated to incorporate the amendments from the June 9, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting;

AND THAT a bylaw be prepared to proceed with first and second reading of the final draft of the Official Community Plan. CARRIED

c) Departmental Update

1. Report dated May 21, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Mayor Tobias

THAT the report dated May 21, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled "Departmental Update" be received for information. CARRIED

6.2 PORTFOLIO REPORTS

a) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Mayor Tobias

Mayor Tobias thanked staff for their work during tax season and discussed budget pressures from combined municipal and regional taxes, infrastructure and capital cost challenges, and the need to explore phased project delivery and more flexible approaches to reduce impacts on taxpayers.

b) PROTECTIVE SERVICES – Councillor Brown

Councillor Brown spoke about the new Foundry location in the West Shore, as well as programs and services it provides to youth and their families. He also mentioned attending the View Royal Fire Department Open House held Saturday, June 6, which had an excellent turnout.

c) ENGAGEMENT – Mayor Tobias

Mayor Tobias asked Council members to urge residents without a primary care physician to register with the Province’s Health Connect Registry. He also spoke about the need for additional medical clinics, the challenges facing existing clinics, and difficulties experienced due to clinic closures.

d) ARTS & LIBRARY – Councillor Lemon

Councillor Lemon discussed the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Victoria Public Library. She also noted that the Capital Regional District (CRD) Arts Commission unanimously voted to deny View Royal’s request to reduce its level of participation in the CRD Arts and Culture Support Service from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

e) ENVIRONMENT, PARKS & RECREATION – Councillor MacKenzie

Councillor MacKenzie invited all to attend the upcoming West Shore Parks and Recreation 60th birthday celebration on September 12. She also discussed the upcoming West Shore Parks and Recreation Owners Annual General Meeting and strategic planning session, and provided an updated on the West Shore Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.

f) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT – Councillor Mattson

Councillor Mattson thanked staff and the Mayor for their work on the draft Official Community Plan.

g) PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION – Councillor Rogers

Councillor Rogers discussed the Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s Highway 1 Bus on Shoulder project, the proposed provincial water Development Cost Charge bylaw, and the widening of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. He also inquired about the status of the Town’s sea level rise and flood mitigation report.

3. NEW BUSINESS

4. QUESTION PERIOD

5. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: Councillor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 8:07 p.m. CARRIED