MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

MINUTES OF A COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE:

• Mayor Tobias
• Councillor Brown
• Councillor Lemon
• Councillor Mattson
• Councillor MacKenzie
• Councillor Rogers

REGRETS:

• Councillor Kowalewich

PRESENT ALSO:

• S. Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer
• E. Bolster, Director of Corporate Administration
• I. Leung, Director of Engineering
• P. Hurst, Director of Protective Services
• S. Vella, Director of Finance
• R. Carrie, Bylaw Compliance Officer
• J. Chow, Senior Planner
• J. Cochrane, Deputy Director of Corporate Administration
• 12 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.

The Mayor acknowledged that the meeting is being held on the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the agenda be amended to include item 10. j), and move items 10. d) and 10. i) 1. to items 11. a) and 11. b);

AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED

3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

a) D. Wilson, View Royal Avenue, discussed a construction project in his neighbourhood.

b) M. Manhas, Construction Foundation of B.C., gave an overview of The Forge, a peer-led initiative addressing the skilled trades’ mental health crisis, and encouraged Council to consider joining other municipalities in providing financial support.

4. BYLAWS

a) Parks and Public Places Bylaw No. 986, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1095, 2022

1. Report dated August 29, 2025 from the Bylaw Compliance Officer

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the report dated August 29, 2025 from the Bylaw Compliance Officer titled “Parks and Public Places Bylaw No. 986, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1095, 2022” be received for information. CARRIED

2. Parks and Public Places Bylaw No. 986, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1095, 2022

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT third reading of Parks and Public Places Bylaw No. 986, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1095, 2022 be rescinded;

AND THAT Parks and Public Places Bylaw No. 986, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1095, 2022 be amended to add additional definitions to Section 1.0 “Interpretation”; to add a new subsection (h) to Section 2.0 “Conduct of Park Areas”; to add new subsections (g) and (h) and amend the existing distance requirement by reducing it from 100 metres to 10 metres in Section 18.3; and add Little Road Park and Watkiss Way Park to list of restricted park areas in Section 18.4;

AND FURTHER THAT Parks and Public Places Bylaw No. 986, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1095, 2022 be given third reading as amended. CARRIED

b) Tax Exemption Bylaw (Non-Profit Organizations) No. 1157, 2025

1. Report dated August 26, 2025 from the Director of Finance

The Director of Finance gave an overview of the report.

Council discussed the non-profit status history of the Island Corridor Foundation and inquired about existing buildings on the properties.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT the report dated August 26, 2025 from the Director of Finance titled “Tax Exemption Bylaw (Non-Profit Organizations) No. 1157, 2025” be received. CARRIED

2. Tax Exemption Bylaw (Non-Profit Organizations) No. 1157, 2025

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT Tax Exemption Bylaw (Non-Profit Organizations) No. 1157, 2025 be given first, second, and third reading. CARRIED

5. MAYOR’S REPORT

The Mayor noted that the annual Volunteer Appreciation event was held on September 14, 2025, was well attended, and provided an opportunity for Council to engage with volunteers.

6. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) P. Cormier, South Island Community Council and Community Living BC, Re: Promoting Inclusive Housing in View Royal

J. Humphrey, N. Bodie, and C. Johnson provided an introduction of the South Island Community Council and presented information on the partnership with Community Living B.C., which support adults with developmental disabilities, specifically in the area of inclusive housing.

Council discussed access to Capital Regional District housing, existing inclusive housing models in B.C., and funding for those developments. Council also requested that the South Island Community Council and Community Living BC present to the Official Community Plan Advisory Committee.

7. STAFF REPORTS

a) Pride-Coloured Crosswalk Update – Helmcken Road at Rudyard Road

1. Report dated June 18, 2025 from the Deputy Director of Engineering

Council and staff discussed whether a bench could serve as an alternative, as well as the ongoing maintenance costs of a crosswalk.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor MacKenzie

C-132-25 THAT staff include a pride-coloured crosswalk project for consideration in the 2026-2030 Financial Plan deliberations. CARRIED Councillor Mattson opposed

b) Building Permit Updates for 315 and 331 Stewart Avenue

1. Report dated September 4, 2025 from the Director of Development Services

The Senior Planner gave a summary of the report to Council.

Council and staff discussed both the history, current condition, and potential hazards of the garage at 331 Stewart Avenue, and the building permit process and compliance with the Town’s Property Maintenance Bylaw at 315 Stewart Avenue.

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

C-133-25 THAT staff evaluate the premises at 315 Stewart Avenue to determine whether it falls into the category of unsightly premises. CARRIED Councillors MacKenzie and Rogers opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

C-134-25 THAT processes for building and occupation permits be brought back to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion. CARRIED

c) Transportation Master Plan Engagement Primer

1. Report dated September 3, 2025 from the Director of Engineering

The Director of Engineering gave a summary of the report to Council.

Council discussed the potential establishment of a Mayor’s task force for the Transportation Master Plan.

Mayor Tobias left the meeting at 7:42 p.m., and Councillor Rogers assumed the Chair. Mayor Tobias returned at 7:45 p.m. and resumed the Chair.

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the report dated September 3, 2025 from the Director of Engineering titled “Transportation Master Plan Engagement Primer” be received for information. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed

d) Application for Extension of Hours of Liquor Service at Four Mile Pub - 199 Island Highway

1. Report dated September 9, 2025 from the Director of Development Services

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the Town of View Royal opt out of providing input and defer the community input and comment process to the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Branch for an application to amend the liquor license at the Four Mile Pub located at 199 Island Highway.

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the above motion be amended to include:

“AND THAT a letter be provided to the Four Mile Pub in support of their application.” CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Brown

C-135-25 THAT the Town of View Royal opt out of providing input and defer the community input and comment process to the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Branch for an application to amend the liquor license at the Four Mile Pub located at 199 Island Highway;

AND THAT a letter be provided to the Four Mile Pub in support of their application. CARRIED Councillor Rogers opposed

e) Appointment

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown

THAT the previous appointment of Elena Bolster to the position of Deputy Corporate Officer be hereby rescinded;

AND THAT Jennifer Cochrane be appointed as the Deputy Corporate Officer. CARRIED

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

a) Trustee Electoral Area Election Model – Councillor Brown

1. Update from Councillor Brown

Councillor Brown provided Council with an update on the proposed electoral area model for the Greater Victoria School Board election and outlined next steps.

9. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Letter dated August 22, 2025 from Mayor Goodmanson, City of Langford, Re: Support of The Forge

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

C-136-25 THAT the Construction Foundation of BC be referred to the 2025 grant-in-aid process for consideration of funding for The Forge project. CARRIED Councillor MacKenzie opposed

b) Email dated September 3, 2025 from A. McGuinness, Re: Proposal for Repair and Resurfacing of View Royal Tennis Courts

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

THAT the email dated September 3, 2025 from A. McGuinness, Re: Proposal for Repair and Resurfacing of View Royal Tennis Courts be received. CARRIED

c) Email dated September 10, 2025 from A. Dick, Re: Inquiry from Local Artist Regarding Vandalism Hot Spots

MOVED BY: Councillor Lemon SECONDED: Councillor Brown

C-137-25 THAT staff bring forward costs associated with the removal of tagging on overpasses, along with options for graffiti deterrence, for consideration during the 2026 budget deliberations. CARRIED

10. CONSENT AGENDA

a) Minutes of the Council meeting held September 2, 2025

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held September 2, 2025 be adopted as presented. CARRIED

b) Minutes of the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee held September 25, 2024, December 18, 2024 and February 26, 2025

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the minutes of the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee held September 25, 2024, December 18, 2024 and February 26, 2025 be received. CARRIED

c) Minutes of the Official Community Plan Review Advisory Committee held August 25, 2025

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the minutes of the Official Community Plan Review Advisory Committee held August 25, 2025 be received. CARRIED

d) Cool it! Program Final Report 2024/25 - Capital Regional District

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the Cool it! Final Report 2024/25 – Capital Regional District be received. CARRIED

e) Letter dated August 7, 2025 from Chief Sam, Songhees Nation Re: Sponsorship for 2025 South Island Powwow

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the letter dated August 7, 2025 from Chief Sam, Songhees Nation, Re: Sponsorship for 2025 South Island Powwow be received. CARRIED

f) Email dated September 3, 2025 from R. McIntyre, Re: 315 Stewart Avenue

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the email dated September 3, 2025 from R. McIntyre, Re: 315 Stewart Avenue be received. CARRIED

g) Email dated September 9, 2025 from T. Blodgett, Re: Rezoning at Helmcken Road/Island Highway

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the email dated September 9, 2025 from T. Blodgett, Re: Rezoning at Helmcken Road/Island Highway be received. CARRIED

h) From the September 9, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-138-25 THAT the Western Gateway Corridor Survey be amended by including the following:

• provide a link to the Housing Needs Report in the preamble;
• add landmarks on the maps to allow for the better orientation of survey respondents;
• remove re-affirming questions on density that were previously asked in the Community Growth Survey;
• shorten the preamble to improve clarity and only include relevant information; and
• reduce the number of open-ended questions. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-139-25 THAT staff prepare the necessary bylaw amendment to amend the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 811, 2011 as follows:

• adding a new sub-section, Housing Need Requirement, within Section 3: Housing, to detail the 5- and 20-year period (2021 – 2041) housing need in View Royal;
• revising an existing housing policy, Policy HS1.9 Innovative Approaches, by adding: shelters for persons experiencing homelessness and housing for those at risk of homelessness;
• adding a new policy, Policy HS1.12 Non-Market Units, within Section 3: Housing, to support the development of non-market housing for lower-income populations through collaborative efforts with agencies and governments;
• deleting existing Large Lot Residential (R-L) and Residential (R) land use designations and replacing with a new Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) land use designation defined as follows: uses include detached and attached dwellings, such as detached residential, secondary suite, garden suite, duplex, rowhouse, townhouse, house-plex, and apartments; buildings up to three storeys; and a maximum of six (6) dwelling units;
• adding a new Hospital Transit-Oriented Area (HTOA) land use designation, and amending the existing land use designations of all properties within 200 metres of the identified transit exchange bus stop to the new HTOA land use designation, defined as follows: uses include mixed-use with apartments, visitor accommodations, restaurants, retail, office, institutional (i.e. Hospital), and Civic Use (e.g. daycares, libraries, public gathering and amenity spaces); buildings up to 10 Storeys; and density up to 3.5 Floor Space Ratio (FSR);
• adding a new Neighbourhood Village (NV) land use designation, and amending the existing land use designations of all properties within 201 and 400 metres of the identified transit exchange bus stop to the new NV land use designation, defined as follows: uses include small-scale, mixed-use buildings, such as multi-unit housing and community-serving commercial and civic uses (schools, offices, restaurants, retail, small grocery store, and community spaces); buildings up to six storeys; and density up to 2.5 FSR; and
• adding a new policy, LU 4.14 Mixed Commercial Development, to Section 1: Land Use and Urban Design, which states the following: Development of four-storeys or greater should incorporate commercial or public use space. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-140-25 THAT Purchasing Policy #1600-21 be adopted. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-141-25 THAT Use of Town Grants for Alcohol Policy #0100-056 be adopted. CARRIED

i) Letter dated September 16, 2025 from D. Wilson, Re: 315 View Royal Avenue

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the letter dated September 16, 2025 from D. Wilson, Re: 315 View Royal Avenue be received. CARRIED

11. CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

a) Rezoning 2025-01 – 258 Helmcken Road

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the September 9, 2025 Committee of the Whole resolution COW-25-25 (Rezoning 2025-01 – 258 Helmcken Road) be defeated. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

C-142-25 THAT staff work with the developer of 258 Helmcken Road to achieve the intent of the grocery store originally envisioned by Council, recognizing this may be accomplished through separate partitioned businesses. CARRIED

b) 2025 September Progress Report - West Shore Regional Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan dated September 4, 2025 from G. Brown, CAO, West Shore Parks and Recreation

Council discussed information regarding the West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan being posted on the Town’s website.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the report dated September 4, 2025 from G. Brown, CAO, West Shore Parks and Recreation titled 2025 September Progress Report - West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan be received. CARRIED

12. NEW BUSINESS

13. QUESTION PERIOD

a) R. McIntyre, Stewart Avenue, inquired about two building permits in his neighbourhood.

b) D. Wilson, View Royal Avenue, questioned staff responses to questions asked by Council members.

14. MOTIONS & NOTICES OF MOTION

a) Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in View Royal – Councillor Brown

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

C-143-25 THAT the creation of a Veterans Memorial crosswalk on a high-traffic road in View Royal be considered during the 2026 budget deliberations. CARRIED

15. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION

16. RISING REPORT

17. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: Councillor Brown SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT this meeting now adjourn. Time: 8:57 p.m. CARRIED

MAYOR CORPORATE OFFICER