APPENDIX A: REGIONAL CONTEXT STATEMENT POLICY ANALYSIS

APPENDIX A: REGIONAL CONTEXT STATEMENT POLICY ANALYSIS

The following summarizes the Capital Regional Growth Strategy Policy Areas.

HOW THE OCP RELATES TO THE RGS VISION

RGS VISION: In 2038, Capital Regional District residents enjoy a healthy and rewarding quality of life. We have a vital economy, livable communities and steward our environment and natural resources with care. Our choices reflect our commitment to collective action on climate change.

“View Royal will have a series of economic centres providing expanded retail, professional financial and convenience services. Single family detached housing will remain the predominant housing form with some provision made for other types of housing. A network of foot and cycle paths will provide neighbourhoods with access to shopping, recreation, and natural open space. Natural amenities associated with shorelines, streams, estuaries, hillsides, and forested areas will be protected.”

OCP VISION: Part 1, Community Vision Statement, sets out the community’s aspirations for View Royal 10 years and beyond. Furthermore, there are ten goals that expand upon the vision. There is RGS alignment with future development that is supportive of expanding economic opportunities, particularly with employment lands and services directed around the hospital and casino areas. Designated neighbourhood centres will be the focus areas to realize more diverse housing types, than the current dominance of single family detached housing. A goal is to ‘promote a strong sense of community in all areas and neighbourhoods of the Town and create an enhanced sense of place and identity’. The vision is to realize neighbourhoods that are attractive, affordable, walkable and safe. In 2022, View Royal completed a Climate Action Strategy, and the OCP commits to taking actions that will advance a low carbon future, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in municipal infrastructure and waste management, and by setting energy efficiency standards and guiding land use and transportation choices.

HOW THE OCP RELATES TO THE POPULATION PROJECTIONS PROVIDED BY THE REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY

RGS TARGET: View Royal is part of the Core Sub Region. The population estimates by 2038 are projected to be just under 15,000 residents, requiring 6,700 dwelling units and estimated employment for 5,900 (Table 1).

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: The 2021 census data has View Royal’s population at 11,575. The OCP uses the CRD population estimates projected to 2038. Population, demographics, household size, housing data are contained in Part 1 ‘View Royal at a Glance’ and Thematic Policies Part 2, Section 3 Housing. Key factors to consider are that by 2038 over one-third of View Royal’s population will be led by adults older than 65. This indicates a need to support development of housing that allows seniors to age in place including considerations for accessibility of homes, access to transit, services and more compact forms of growth. View Royal’s Housing Needs Assessment indicated a need for more affordable market housing options (apartments/ condos), more than 200 non-market rental units, as well as supportive and emergency housing. Part 2, Section 3 explains housing objectives and supportive policies.

MANAGING & BALANCING GROWTH (OBJECTIVES 1.1 & 1.2)

RGS OBJECTIVE: 1.1 Keep urban settlement compact 1.2 Protect the integrity of Rural Communities.

RGS TARGET BY 2038: Accommodate a minimum of 95% of the region’s new dwelling units within the Urban Containment Policy Area.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: The OCP explicitly directs all development within the RGS Map 3a Growth Management ‘Urban Containment’ boundary. There is no variation in the RGS and OCP’s Schedule A Land Use Designation Map, which directs all future growth within serviced areas. Part 2 Thematic Policies, Section 1 Land Use and Urban Design, explains that all future growth will be redevelopment and infill. The community development framework and Schedule B, identifies ‘neighbourhood centres’, ‘community corridors’ and how transitions will be thoughtfully considered to benefit existing and future residents’ needs. This direction is also supported by Policy LU10.2 Urban Containment Boundary “Support the intentions of the regional Urban Containment Boundary and View Royal’s Urban Containment Boundary by promoting conservation and discouraging development in the natural and rural areas north of Thetis Lake Regional Park”. Policies are consistent in stating that extension of services in areas outside the Urban Containment Boundary will not be supported. These directions are consistent with the RGS target to accommodate a minimum of 95% of the region’s new dwelling units within the Urban Containment Policy Area.

ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE (OBJECTIVE 2.1 & 2.2)

RGS OBJECTIVE: 2.1 Protect, Conserve and Manage Ecosystem Health; 2.2 Deliver Services Consistent with RGS Objectives.

RGS TARGET BY 2038: Acquire 100% of the sea-to-sea green/blue belt; Complete 100% of the Regional Trail Network; Reduce contaminants to fresh and marine water bodies; Prepare long-term capital plans for Capital Regional District utilities and major infrastructure improvements that take into consideration the conservation of land, water and energy resources and the impacts of climate change and natural hazards.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: The OCP aligns with RGS Objective 2.1 to protect, conserve, and manage ecosystem health through policies such as the following:

1. Acquire 100% of the sea-to-sea green/ blue belt running from Saanich Inlet south to Juan de Fuca Strait and complete 100% of the Regional Trail Network

Thetis Lake Regional Park and Mill Hill Regional Park are regionally significant parks. The OCP Schedule A Land Use Designation, identifies these parks and others as Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation. Further, OCP Policies LU5 support the long-term protection of these parks and are consistent with the RGS Capital Green Lands Policy Area.

i. OCP policy LU5.1 supports the preservation of existing parks, trails and conservation areas, and the acquisition of additional dedicated greenspace. Policy TR1.6 also supports the expansion of both local and regional trail networks to enhance connectivity and public access. ii. View Royal contains the lower sections and estuaries of Millstream and Craigflower Creeks and also includes a notable portion of the Esquimalt Harbour. Policy PR3.1 and PR5.1 are directed to acquiring protection of and access (where suitable) along riparian corridors, and to marine waterfronts that are privately held. The OCP establishes environmentally sensitive areas that are protected through comprehensive Development Permit Guidelines in Part 3 of the OCP.

2. Reduce contaminants to fresh and marine water bodies i. The Environmental Protection and Natural Hazard Development Permit Areas contain guidelines for the protection of natural watercourse/ shoreline areas and sensitive terrestrial ecosystems. Along with Policy NE2.7 to manage stormwater discharges, these aim to minimize environmental impacts and to enhance the quality of fresh and marine water. Policy IS2.6 is to ensure that the discharge of stormwater does not negatively impact adjacent water quality, through capture, diversion, and treatment of discharges for grease, oil, hydrocarbon and sedimentation ii. Policies NE1.8, NE1.9 and NE1.10, respectively support inter-jurisdictional watershed planning, community stewardship and public education.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: The OCP aligns with RGS Objective 2.2 Deliver Services Consistent with RGS Objectives through the following:

The OCP is consistent with RGS objectives for management of regional infrastructure for water and sewer service in a cost-efficient and sustainable manner by promoting densification for more efficient infrastructure. Policy IS1.2 to support a sustainable development pattern for servicing, and Policy IS1.3 to ensure adequate and appropriate infrastructure. Since future population growth will be through densification RGS Policy 2.2.2a regarding growth in water demand would be addressed by upgrading existing infrastructure, rather than extending services.

HOUSING & COMMUNITY (OBJECTIVES 3.1 & 3.2)

RGS OBJECTIVE: 3.1 Complete safe and complete communities; 3.2 Improve Housing Affordability.

RGS TARGETS BY 2038: Municipal targets for the number of people living in complete communities to be identified by municipalities in Regional Context Statements. Increase the supply of more affordable housing; Reduce the number of people in core housing need; Reduce the number of people who are homeless.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: RGS Objective 3.1 to locate services, jobs and amenities closer to where people live is supported throughout the OCP. The creation of more self-sufficient neighbourhoods and a complete community is a cornerstone of the OCP. Part 2, Section 1 Land Use and Urban Design, includes a wide range of policies related to developing compact neighbourhoods, mixed use centres throughout the Town to promote walkability, enhance access to services, prioritize walking, biking, transit use over private vehicles, strengthen the Town’s sense of place, and increase housing choice. Policies for supporting higher density housing and a variety of housing forms to create choice and diversity in the mixed-use centres are located in Land Use and Urban Design, Housing, and Economic Development Sections. The key policies are LU1.1 to create self-sufficient neighbourhood centres, LU1.2 neighbourhood centres are connected by a range of transportation choices including transit, bike, and pedestrian pathways. Policy LU1.6 to address the unique housing needs of families, seniors, and people with disabilities and HS1.4 to support aging in place. These polices are in alignment with RGS Objective 3.1 Policy 3, OCP Policy NE 3.4 and the guidelines of the Natural Hazard development permit area discourage development near potential seismic, slope stability, flood, and sea-level rise hazard areas.

In keeping with Local Government Act Section 447(1)(b) to bring the OCP into consistency with the RGS, consideration will be given towards setting a municipal target for the number of people living in complete communities when the OCP is reviewed in future.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: RGS Objective 3.2 Improve housing affordability in the development of both market and non-market housing. These include the following policies: LU2.4 to support the continuation of the Town’s existing secondary suites program, HS1.5 contribute to Regional Affordable Housing Trust Fund, HS3.4 to increase rental housing, HS3.7 non-market housing and HS3.8 to develop partnerships to add affordable housing, HS3.9 to facilitate ‘affordability by design’ to reduce construction costs.

Action HS3 supports prioritizing review and processing of affordable housing project applications. The policy supports RGS targets to increase the supply of affordable housing and to reduce the number of people in core housing need.

In keeping with Local Government Act Section 447(1)(b) to bring the OCP into consistency with the RGS, consideration will be given towards setting a municipal target for the number of people who are homeless when the OCP is reviewed in future.

TRANSPORTATION (OBJECTIVE 4.1)

RGS OBJECTIVE: 4.1 Improve multi-modal connectivity and mobility.

RGS TARGETS BY 2038: Achieve a transportation system that sees 42% of all trips made by walking, cycling and transit

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: To address the goal of RGS Policy 4.1 to achieve a transportation system by 2038 that sees 42% of all trips made by walking, cycling, transit, the OCP draws on the View Royal Transportation Master Plan, which is consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan in the identification of major routes and the goal of a strong regional multimodal network. The OCP Policy TR1.1 is consistent with the RGS in emphasizing multimodal transportation throughout the Town and recognizing walking, cycling and transit as priority transportation modes. Policy LU2.1 Neighbourhood centres will be interconnected and easily accessed from established neighbourhoods through a multimodal transportation network. Policy TR1.7 encourage reducing vehicle parking standards with Transportation Demand Management strategies and delivery of TR3.14 developer provided car share vehicles, dedicated parking spaces and TR3.15 transit passes for residents (supporting alternatives to owning and getting around by private vehicles).

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (OBJECTIVE 5.1)

RGS OBJECTIVE: Realize the Region’s economic potential.

RGS TARGETS BY 2038: Achieve a jobs/population ratio of 0.60/:1 in Core Area.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: The RGS Settlement Concept Map (3)b identifies three ‘settlement nodes’ in View Royal: Hospital Neighbourhood, (Eastern Gateway Corridor), Town Centre and Western Gateway Corridor areas. The OCP Growth Management Concept map and community development framework also identifies these as areas designated to receive future growth. The OCP Part 2, Section 8 Economic Development identifies areas and policies that support redevelopment of currently under-utilized lands in View Royal’s designated growth areas, along corridors and gateways that will expand commercial, light industrial, office, hotel and employment opportunities. The OCP was informed by a land economic study that identified strategies where the viability of redevelopment can be best realized. OCP policy ED2.1 supports redevelopment incentives like reduced off-street parking requirements. Policy ED2.4 outlines redevelopment incentives specific to the Island Highway corridor (Western Gateway), ED2.5 redevelopment incentives for Helmcken-Harbour Corridor (Eastern Gateway) and ED2.6 incentives for the Admirals Road Corridor, ED2.7 incentives for Hospital neighbourhood, along Helmcken Road and ED2.8 incentives for Town Centre. Incentives include application densities that will be considered, reductions in parking requirements, identifying the desired types of uses in those growth areas to support investment. The economic development and employment policy directions, consistent with the RGS. In keeping with Local Government Act Section 447(1)(b) to bring the OCP into consistency with the RGS, consideration will be given towards RGS Objective 5.1’s target of a jobs/ population ratio of 0.60:1 in the Core Area

With regards to Renewable Resource Lands, there are no private managed forest lands or crown forest lands in the Town. There are no sand and gravel deposits in the Town.

FOOD SYSTEMS (OBJECTIVE 6.1)

RGS OBJECTIVE: Foster a resilient food and agriculture system

RGS TARGETS BY 2038: Increase the amount of land in crop production for food by 5,000 ha to enhance local food security. Municipal targets to increase the amount of land in crop production for food and to encourage agricultural land to be identified by municipalities in Regional Context Statements.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: There is very little active farmland and very few parcels (less than 5 acres) are within the Agricultural Land Reserve. Two parcels are owned by the Town—View Royal Park and a recently acquired parcel in the Hospital neighbourhood (located on Little Road, near Helmcken and Watkiss Road, with boundary of Saanich). Nevertheless, the OCP has policies such as LU5.8 encourage the retention of existing, active farmland and LU5.9 promote urban farming and agriculture, community gardens, edible landscaping, and farmers markets at ways to access and celebrate local food and healthy lifestyles. Policy CH5.3 supports the development of farmers and artisan markets to support local access to food and support of the local economy. Policies in CH 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 support the physical and social well-being of residents through access to affordable, healthy, local food, including encouraging urban agriculture and food production spaces in multi-family housing.

CLIMATE ACTION (OBJECTIVE 7.1)

RGS OBJECTIVE: Significantly reduce community-based greenhouse gas emissions.

RGS TARGETS BY 2038: Reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 33% (from 2007 levels) by 2020, and by 61% by 2038.

OCP ALIGNMENT WITH RGS: In 2022, View Royal completed a Climate Action Strategy and the OCP vision states that the Town “recognizes the impacts of climate change. The Town, developers, residents, and partners respond collectively by advancing energy-efficient buildings, improving sustainable transportation options and protecting View Royal’s urban forests, parks and shoreline environments”. The OCP policies are integrated through a lens of climate actions. Most notably Part 2 Thematic Polices related to: Land Use and Urban Design, Transportation and Mobility, Housing, Natural Environment Energy and Climate Change, Community Infrastructure and Services, have numerous policies that advance a low carbon future, energy efficiency, and climate adaption directions including sea level rise.

Policy NE4.2 aims to achieve or exceed the provincial targets for community-wide GHG emissions from 2007 levels. The baseline figures for these targets are derived from the BC Ministry of the Environment’s Community Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (CEEI) for View Royal.

• 45% reduction in emissions below 2007 levels by 2030
• 100% reduction in emissions below 2007 levels by 2050

The tangible ways for View Royal to achieve greenhouse gas reductions is through Policy NE4.3 reductions from on-road transportation, NE4.3 corporate energy and emissions strategy, NE4.3 View Royal corporate operations, transport, facilities, and waste are reduced, and the Town continues to purchase offsets to pursue carbon neutrality. View Royal Policy NE4.6 is aimed at energy efficiency in new developments, through retrofits of existing buildings and infrastructure. Policy NE 4.8 plans for adaption to climate change with managing impacts caused by sea-level rise, increased fire risk, altered seasonal temperatures and precipitation.

In keeping with Local Government Act Section 447(1)(b) to bring the OCP into consistency with the RGS, consideration will be given towards the Town’s contributions to achieving RGS Objectives for 2038 community greenhouse gas emissions by 61% (from 2007 levels), by 2038 when the OCP is reviewed in future.