Attachment “D” - CAPITAL WEST ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

At the meeting on March 15, 2022, Town Council voted unanimously in favour of a $10,000 donation from the Town of View Royal to the Canadian Red Cross in support of its aid efforts in Ukraine. All funds for the donation came directly from revenue received by the Town from Elements Casino.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

The Development Services Department provides the current and future land use, planning, and zoning work for View Royal and is responsible for the Official Community Plan that guides future growth. Additionally, Development Services supports economic development initiatives and programs.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Community Climate Action Strategy (CCAS) was adopted by Council on May 17, 2022, which outlines a path towards a low carbon future. A future where residents experience the benefits of a connected, healthy and economically prosperous community while taking action on climate change and adapting to climate impacts. A companion “Residents Guide to Climate Action” has also been produced to help residents consider options to reduce residential and transportation greenhouse gas emissions.
• In February, Development Services was notified by Public Services & Procurement Canada of fieldwork being undertaken in View Royal in relation to fish forage beaches adjacent to Thetis Cove and in Tovey Bay. The work builds on previous studies and ground truthing to evaluate forage fish spawning sites and is being done in support of assessing the feasibility of potential habitat offsetting beach restoration sites. Staff are monitoring the project to understand if any additional guidelines might be added to our shoreline development permit areas in support of habitat protection.
• As part of the Town’s commitment to climate action, the Town partnered with the CleanBC Better Home and Home Renovation Rebate Program to offer a top up for heat pump conversions for residential heating. The Town’s initial contract was for a six-month period from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, which ended up being extended into 2023.
• Staff continued work on the draft Building Bylaw throughout 2022. The new Building Bylaw will introduce new processes and requirements, including new BC Energy Step Code requirements, established by the Province to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The Town will move to Step Code 3 for Part 9 Buildings (single-family dwellings, duplexes, townhouses) and Step Code 2 for Part 3 Buildings (other residential and commercial buildings) starting in January 2023.
• In December 2022, staff prepared a Request for Proposal for the Helmcken Centennial Park Master Plan. The purpose of the plan is to identify long term uses of the park, an infrastructure plan, and a strategy to address sea level rise impacts.
• The Capital Regional District was awarded a grant for a Regional Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network project from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure (ICIP) CleanBC Communities Fund grant program. As a participant, the Town of View Royal will receive funding to install four Level 2 Elective Vehicle Charging Stations for public use.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (CON’T)

• Staff participated in two Hazardous Vulnerability Risk Assessment workshops to discuss the physical infrastructure, built environment and social impacts of climate change on the Town.
• Work continued in 2022 on the update of the 2011 Official Community Plan (OCP). An update to the OCP was identified as a priority project in Council’s Strategic Plan 2019 – 2022. While the 2011 OCP served the community well, the OCP update was needed to ensure that it meets the objectives and intent of the community’s interests and vision for the growth and development of View Royal as well as to meet legislative requirements. Progress on the OCP update included:
  • Significant promotion on the Town’s website, social media posts, newspaper advertisements, direct mail outs, signs at park entrances and notices sent through stakeholder networks.
  • Twelve neighbourhood walkshops, six online workshops, two comprehensive surveys, meetings with View Royal’s Advisory Committees, and Council workshops were also conducted to seek early and ongoing feedback from the public.
  • Staff presented to Committee of the Whole and Council several times to keep members informed and seek direction and feedback throughout the project. Even with a pandemic, View Royal community members were active participants in the project. Staff and the consulting team appreciated the passion and care that community members brought to the project.

Following the extensive work on this project, a draft OCP was completed in June 2022; however, the project was put on pause until after the municipal election in October 2022.

ENGINEERING & PARKS

The Engineering & Parks Department is responsible for the maintenance and capital programs for View Royal’s roads, streets, bridges, sidewalks, street signage, boulevards, bus shelters, street lighting, traffic signals and storm drains. The Parks section is responsible for the maintenance and development of over 70 parks in View Royal, including manicured and natural green spaces, trails, and sports fields, Parks also maintains the grounds at Town Hall and oversees building and fleet maintenance.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• As part of the Town’s emerging Asset Management Program, staff completed work on an asset management policy and long-term financial plan known as the Sustainable Infrastructure Replacement Plan. These efforts were funded in part by a grant through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
• The Helmcken Bay Pump Station Upgrade project was completed, which included the replacement of aging electrical and mechanical equipment to improve the operations and maintenance of the facility.
• Planning and design work was substantially completed on the proposed roundabout on Six Mile Road at Atkins Road. Construction is anticipated for the second half of 2023.
• Staff continued to collaborate with BC Transit on the rapid transit bus stop project. When complete, the Island Highway Transit Priority Lane Project will include priority bus lanes, new sidewalks, and bike lanes.
• The Pedestrian Lighting Improvement Project on Helmcken Road was completed, which improved the lighting coverage at the crosswalks at the Pheasant Lane and Vickery Road roundabouts on Helmcken Road.
• Using funding available through ICBC, additional school zone signage was installed on existing poles at View Royal’s public schools to help improve driver awareness.
• In coordination with BC Transit’s new handyDART Centre project, new curbs, sidewalks, boulevard trees, and bus shelters were installed on Watkiss Way near Burnside Rd W. A new parcel of park land was leased to the Town, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail was widened and realigned at its eastern approach to Burnside Rd W, and a BC Hydro transmission tower was replaced with a monopole on the development site.
• The Town signed a new contract for garbage and household food waste collection service with Waste Management effective until December 31, 2026.
• The design for View Royal Park’s riparian improvements were completed and will include invasive species removal, stormwater management improvements and native plantings and trees. The Town will be rolling out the execution of this in 2023.
• Following the success of the first portable toilet enclosure installed at View Royal Park, two additional enclosures were constructed at Centennial Park and Portage Park.
• The community gardens at View Royal Park prepared for its ninth year of operation. For the 2022 season, all 49 plots were reserved with returning and/or new gardeners as well as a waitlist of future participants.

ENGINEERING & PARKS DEPARTMENT (CON’T)

• A decorative concrete bench was installed in Eagle Creek Park along the pathway, approximately halfway between the Watkiss Way entrance and the Little Road entrance, creating a nice place to stop for a rest. The open field on the east side of the park was also improved to allow for easy access for park users and Parks staff to perform maintenance tasks such as mowing and general clean ups.
• Crews worked to replace the 20-year-old swing set in View Royal Park. The newly installed sets include a set of tot swings and a set of three swing bays with two belt swings, a friendship swing, and a basket swing.
• The Resident Tree Planting Program was successfully rolled out to encourage residents to contribute to View Royal’s urban canopy. Funded through income received through the Town's tree removal permitting process, interested residents apply to the Town to request a free tree (or trees) to plant within their private property.
• Environmental stewardship was prevalent across View Royal parks and public spaces. In addition to work completed by volunteers through the Town’s Habitat Restoration Program, the Town partnered with the Greater Victoria Green Team for another year to engage school groups and the public in invasive species removal events throughout the year. In total, participants through both programs contributed a total of 765 volunteer hours and removed a total volume of 180m³ of invasive plants from View Royal.
• Design guidelines from the Landscape Architect and Biologists have been completed for the development of six priority road ends within the Town, supported by the Parks Master Plan. The rollout of these improvements will be done in subsequent years, budget permitting.