TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025
Official record of the council proceedings from the March 18, 2025 meeting, including motions carried, reports received, and meeting termination time.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT WERE: Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown Councillor Kowalewich – via Microsoft Teams Councillor Lemon Councillor Mattson – via Microsoft Teams Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Rogers
PRESENT ALSO: S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration/Deputy CAO I. Leung, Director of Engineering T. Ziegler, Director of Finance E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer
9 members of the public 0 members of the press
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the agenda be amended by including item 8.1 c).
AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
3. MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held March 4, 2025
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held March 4, 2025 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
b) Minutes of the Special Council meeting held March 4, 2025
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie
THAT the minutes of the Special Council meeting held March 4, 2025 be adopted as presented. CARRIED
4. MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor noted that RCMP is hosting two policing priorities meetings this week. He also discussed the Capital Regional District’s alternative approval process for a Regional Transportation Services Bylaw and his decision to vote against the initiative at this time.
5. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
a) M. Pearson and T. Stevens, Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Re: Update on Highway 1 Bus on Shoulder Project
Mr. Pearson introduced Mr. Stevens, Project Manager from McElhanney, who updated Council regarding the Highway 1 McKenzie Interchange to Colwood Interchange Bus on Shoulder Project, specifically:
- the background and project scope;
- current status, including contract award and timeline;
- Galloping Goose Regional Trail bridge improvements;
- outfall at Portage Inlet Linear Park;
- traffic management;
- night work; and
- communications.
Council and the presenters discussed resident notification, blasting, tree removal/replacement, sound mitigation, and traffic management plan for Watkiss Way.
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
7. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
8. REPORTS
8.1 STAFF REPORTS
a) 2025 Draft Financial Plan Overview and Drivers
- Report dated March 13, 2025 from the Director of Finance
MOVED BY: Mayor Tobias SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
C-41-25 THAT staff provide two additional dates for 2025 Financial Plan discussions should they be required. CARRIED
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT the report dated March 13, 2025 from the Director of Finance titled “2025 Draft Financial Plan Overview and Drivers” be received for information. CARRIED
b) Helmcken Sidewalk Eagle Creek to Aspire Project Update
- Report dated March 11, 2025 from the Director of Engineering
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown
C-42-25 THAT the “Curb and Sidewalk Replacement – Helmcken-Eagle Creek Village to Burnside Road West” Project (C-054) not be awarded to Unitii Corporation in the amount of $105,000, net of GST;
AND THAT this project be removed from the 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan. CARRIED
c) 2025 Financial Plan Timeline
- Report dated March 17, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
THAT the report dated March 17, 2025 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “2025 Financial Plan Timeline” be received. CARRIED
8.2 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RESOLUTIONS
From the March 11, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting:
- Development Variance Permit 2024-03 – 2401 Burnside Road West (BC Transit)
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown
C-43-25 THAT Development Variance Permit 2024-03 for 2401 Burnside Road West be declined. CARRIED
- Development Permit No. 2024-06 – 4 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor MacKenzie SECONDED: Councillor Mattson
C-44-25 THAT Development Permit No. 2024-06 for 4 Helmcken Road be issued in accordance with the plans submitted to the Development Services Department on February 18, 2025, subject to:
a plan revision to indicate that the parking spaces are energized electric vehicle spaces and the Class 1 bicycle parking spaces are energized bicycle parking spaces in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed
Development Permit with Variances Application No. 2024-03 – 294, 296 Eltham Road and 242 Helmcken Road
MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown
C-45-25 THAT Council, after giving notice, consider the following motion:
THAT Development Permit with Variances No. 2024-03 for 294, 296 Eltham Road and 242 Helmcken Road be issued in accordance with plans submitted to the Development Services Department on November 12, 2024, subject to:
a. the proposed development meeting all the Town’s Zoning Bylaw requirements, except for the following variances:
increase the building height from 11.25m to 11.75m;
reduce the width of a manoeuvring aisle from 7.6m to 6.0m;
siting of an accessory structure (arched trellis) in the flanking yard; and b. the applicant confirming the proposed fence and retaining wall heights on the plans, in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw.
Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way Intersection Protection Measures
MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers
C-46-25 THAT consideration of the installation of a “quick building traffic calming curb” to protect northbound cyclists from intersection traffic within the Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way intersection be tabled;
AND THAT the “Intersection Improvements – Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way” Project (C-128) be tabled. CARRIED Councillor Mattson opposed
8.3 OTHER REPORTS
9. CORRESPONDENCE
9.1 FOR ACTION
a) Email dated March 3, 2025 from R. Black, Re: Six Mile Pub
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the email dated March 3, 2025 from R. Black, Re: Six Mile Pub be received. CARRIED
b) Letter dated February 27, 2025 from J. Plasterer, Re: Request for a More Equitable Class 8 Municipal Tax Rate for Fort Victoria RV Park
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the letter dated February 27, 2025 from J. Plasterer, Re: Request for a More Equitable Class 8 Municipal Tax Rate for Fort Victoria RV Park be received. CARRIED
9.2 FOR INFORMATION
a) Letter dated March 7, 2025 from the Mayors of South Island Municipalities, Re: Urgent Meeting Request on Police Dispatch Costs for South Island Municipalities
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the letter dated March 7, 2025 from the Mayors of South Island Municipalities, Re: Urgent Meeting Request on Police Dispatch Costs for South Island Municipalities be received for information. CARRIED
b) Letter dated February 28, 2025 from Mayor Siemens, City of Abbotsford, Re; Support for Resolution
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT the letter dated February 28, 2025 from Mayor Siemens, City of Abbotsford, Re: Support for Resolution be received for information. CARRIED
10. BYLAWS
11. NEW BUSINESS
12. QUESTION PERIOD
13. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION
a) Amend Variance Permit Policies/Bylaws – Councillor Rogers
C-47-25 THAT the following motion come forward to the April 1, 2025 Council meeting:
“THAT variance permit policies be amended to address gaps in service specifically with respect to gathering information on impact to neighbours.”
b) Redesign Eltham Road Egress onto Helmcken Road – Councillor Rogers
C-48-25 THAT the following motion come forward to the April 1, 2025 Council meeting:
“THAT the road improvements for the development at 294, 296 Eltham Road and 242 Helmcken Road include two separate exit turn lanes, left and right, onto Helmcken Road.”
c) 2025 Budget – Councillor Rogers
C-49-25 THAT the following motion come forward to the April 1, 2025 Council meeting:
“THAT the 2025 Financial Plan discussions include:
- reduce the CRD Arts funding from Group 1 to Group 2;
- join Destination Greater Victoria as a municipal member for $800/year; and
- inclusion of funds for four “pop-up dog off-leash” areas (approx. $5,000/year) with maintenance provided by “Your Place Victoria” in partnership with Our Place New Roads.
d) Six Mile Road – Councillor Brown
C-50-25 THAT the following motion come forward to the April 1, 2025 Council meeting:
“THAT staff report back on options for the Shell Gas Station access/egress at Six Mile Road to alleviate traffic concerns;
AND THAT accident statistics for this area be obtained.”
14. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION
MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon
THAT there is a need to have a meeting closed to the public and persons other than the immediate members of Council, officers, and employees of the Town, and those identified under Section 91 (2) of the Community Charter shall be excluded on the basis of Section 90 (1)(a) – appointment. CARRIED
15. RISING REPORT
16. TERMINATION
MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown
THAT this meeting now terminate. Time: 8:42 p.m. CARRIED
MAYOR
CORPORATE OFFICER
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