[2:45] Good evening everyone, welcome to the June 22nd Regular Beauty

[2:47] of Council. I'd like to first recognise we are gathered

[2:50] on the traditional territory, the SNEMAC First Nation, our clerk

[2:52] tonight will be Mishil Aguri. We also have councillors Prino

[2:56] and Brown attending electronically tonight. Tonight's regular meeting of council

[3:00] is being held in accordance with the community charter and

[3:02] council procedure bylaw 2018 number 7272. So if during the

[3:06] meeting any member of the gallery has a question regarding

[3:08] an agenda item, write down your name in the agenda

[3:11] item on the question period sign up sheet, which is

[3:13] on the table by the double doors to my left.

[3:16] And please note that the council procedure bylaw states that

[3:19] questions will only be taken on staff reports consent items

[3:22] or other business items. Looking around the audience, I sometimes

[3:27] feel compelled to read a fairly lengthy bit of instruction

[3:31] around public decorum and no clapping or cheering and things

[3:34] of that nature. But I pretty much know everybody in

[3:36] the audience tonight and you all look pretty civilised anyway.

[3:39] So I'm going to dispense with that. The first item

[3:42] on the agenda is the introduction of late items, Ms.

[3:44] Gurry. Yes, thank you, your worship. Good evening. For late

[3:49] items we have the addition of a delegation from Carl

[3:52] Butterworth, director of Harbour Studios, Inc., and that is to

[3:56] speak to 13C liquor license amendment application number LA15940 Skinner

[4:03] Street. Thank you, worship. Thank you very much. Motion for

[4:06] adoption of the agenda is amended. Move Councillor Thorpe, Second

[4:09] of Councillor Hemmons, all those in favor and any opposed,

[4:12] none motion carries. Motion for adoption of the minutes is

[4:15] circulated, move councillor Armstrong, seconded councillor Eastmare, all those in

[4:19] favor. Any opposed none motion carries. I have a couple

[4:22] items for the mayor's report tonight. The first is a

[4:25] little reminder for everyone that the city of Nanomal has

[4:28] implemented stage three watering restrictions, which began on June the

[4:32] 8th in response to ongoing dry conditions and increased water

[4:35] demand. The city's watershed is experienced almost two months without

[4:39] significant rainfall, resulting in steadily declining reservoir levels. At the

[4:44] same time, water uses risen to above average levels for

[4:47] this time of year, placing increased pressure on available water

[4:49] supplies. Understage three reducing outdoor water usage remains voluntary. However,

[4:57] the city residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to reduce

[5:00] consumption and eliminate unnecessary outdoor water use. You can take

[5:05] proactive conservation measures, including the following, avoiding our significantly reducing

[5:09] lawn watering, minimizing irrigation of landscapes, gardens, and ornamental plants.

[5:15] Using water efficient methods such as hand watering or drip

[5:18] irrigation, limited vehicle washing and other non - essential outdoor

[5:22] use and fixing leaks and reducing indoor water use where

[5:25] possible. We're also seeking in 2027 temporary public art program.

[5:33] The city of Vienan was inviting artists to submit proposals

[5:35] for the 2027 temporary public art program with projects initiated

[5:39] in 2026 and installed in 2027. This is unique opportunity

[5:44] for artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to help shape

[5:47] the city's cultural landscape through public art. The temporary art

[5:51] program is open to individual artists or artists teams and

[5:55] welcomes a wide range of proposals, bearing in scale, scope,

[5:58] and medium. From sculptural installations to socially engaged or community

[6:03] - based projects, artwork must be designed to remain in

[6:06] place for up to five years. An information session will

[6:09] be held Thursday, August the 13th, 2026 at 5 p.

[6:13] m. via Zoom. And Monday, September 21st, 2026 at 6

[6:17] p. m. via Zoom. The deadline to submit proposals is

[6:21] 1159 p. m. Pacific time on October 18th, 2026. View

[6:27] application details and requirements on the city's website. And of

[6:31] course, we are approaching our nation's 159th birthday, and the

[6:36] city invites all of you visitors and residents alike to

[6:39] celebrate Canada Day at Mafeo Sutton Park on Wednesday, July

[6:42] 1st from 11. 30 a. m. to 3. 30 p.

[6:45] m. The annual celebration will feature a full day of

[6:48] live entertainment, cultural performances, family activities and community connection. The

[6:53] festivities begin with opening ceremony in the main stage, followed

[6:56] by our performance from Unite the Beat International Drumming throughout

[7:00] the day the attendees can enjoy live music from cosmosaurus,

[7:03] Lachke Kids, and outsir, as well as interactive performances from

[7:07] the Harbour City Magicians. A cultural community stage will also

[7:11] feature a variety of local performers and groups, including the

[7:14] NINIMO Chinese cultural society, historical fencing club, Vancouver Island Bangra,

[7:21] Squared Ansing, Ballroom Dancing, Vibrant Studios, Flowers of Nanomo Chinese

[7:25] dancing Flamingo, and Latin Dance and Ballroom Line Dancing. In

[7:29] addition to live entertainment, the event will feature games face

[7:32] painting, bouncy castles, a photo booth, a flower wall, and

[7:35] interactive booths from community organisations, including the City of the

[7:39] Nineless Drowning Prevention Coalition. Food vendors will be available on

[7:42] site along with a water - filled station to help

[7:45] attend these stay hydrated throughout the celebration. And of course,

[7:49] residents are encouraged to use alternative transportation as there will

[7:53] be no general vehicle parking available at matheau - suttonpark

[7:56] on Canada Day, except for limited accessible parking, free parking

[8:00] will be available on city streets and in city -

[8:03] owned parking lots. Again, free parking available on city, streets,

[8:07] and insidioan parking lots. To support events success, the City

[8:11] of the Nine was partnering with the regional district of

[8:13] the NINIMO to provide free shuttle service when we're grove

[8:16] mall and South Parkway Plaza, a free bike ballet service

[8:20] will also be offered near the part providing secure bicycle

[8:23] parking for attendees. I encourage everyone to come out. I

[8:27] don't think there's a... The time in the last few

[8:30] years in our troubled world where I think Canadians have

[8:33] had a more interest and obviously I think comfort in

[8:38] knowing that we really are the best nation on Earth

[8:40] and it's a wonderful place to be, and we should

[8:42] all be grateful for that. And speaking of gratitude, I

[8:46] have one final item under the mayor's report. I seem

[8:51] to have been doing this a little too often lately,

[8:53] so I confess that I'm not getting used to it,

[8:57] and I don't enjoy it anymore tonight than I've enjoyed

[8:59] it on the other occasions in the last year or

[9:01] two. Uh, the City of Nanaimo has had an outstanding

[9:05] public service for a very long time, long before the

[9:07] time I became mayor. And on behalf of city council

[9:12] and staff and the citizens Deniamo, it is my privilege

[9:15] tonight to extend to our friend Darcy Osborne, our heartfelt

[9:20] congratulations as she retires after 30 - year career with

[9:24] the city of Nanaima. Please, please, yes. Since joining the

[9:32] Department of the City in 1996 in the parks and

[9:35] Recreation Department, where she has worked her entire career in

[9:39] eight different positions, she has exemplified that unwavering commitment, professionalism

[9:45] and leadership that we have come to expect of senior

[9:48] public servants, and those aspiring to be so. Uh, over

[9:51] the course of her career, she served the community with

[9:54] distinction in a wide range of rules that include recreation

[9:57] programmer, coordinator, supervisor, manager, director, and acting general manager before

[10:02] taking on the big role. In each of those positions,

[10:06] she demonstrated a remarkably to inspire. Teams foster collaboration and

[10:12] exceptional and deliver exceptional programs and services that enriched the

[10:18] lives of residents across the normal for many, many years.

[10:21] I think there is no question that our parks, recreation,

[10:26] and culture department is outstanding. Uh, the people of this

[10:29] community enjoy access to all kinds of recreation and cultural

[10:34] activities that aren't necessarily the norm in other communities. Uh,

[10:38] and sometimes we have taken that for granted just as

[10:40] we've taken for granted the people who deliver those programs.

[10:44] Um, Darcy, uh, he's left a pretty lasting imprint on

[10:48] the department. Advanced division and strengthened its vital role in

[10:53] building a healthy community. I would say that dedication and

[10:58] passion and innovation are pretty much the hallmarks of what

[11:01] she's done for us. For all of us. But it

[11:04] helped create spaces and opportunities that have benefited generations of

[11:07] the normal residents and will continue to do so. A

[11:11] 30 - year term is a remarkable thing. Um, you've

[11:18] earned our admiration and our respect. Um, counsel is grateful

[11:22] the community is grateful. The people you've worked with are

[11:25] grateful, and we are going to miss you. The only

[11:28] comfort I take in this is an entirely personal selfish

[11:30] one. Um, Tom, her husband, who is also announced is

[11:36] retirement as the head of parks and recreation for the

[11:39] regional district of Nanaimo. So we're losing, this is a

[11:42] twofer, not the kind of twofer that once were expected.

[11:46] I will tell you honestly, I sent a note to

[11:49] Tom congratulating him on his retirement and copied it to

[11:53] Darcy and seeing only one Osborne at a time, even

[11:56] though in my heart of hearts, I knew that something

[11:57] like this might be coming. The fact that she is

[12:01] a person of integrity and had the decency and honesty

[12:05] not to respond to my comment told me everything I

[12:08] needed to know that she was in fact stepping into

[12:11] retirement. Uh, between the two of you. The citizens of

[12:16] Nanaimo and the regional district have been ablely served. And

[12:20] I just want to extend to you on behalf of

[12:23] council and to Tom as well. Tonight our gratitude for

[12:26] everything. It is a remarkable career and it's a remarkable

[12:31] contribution. And we will miss you terribly. Although I do

[12:34] look forward because they are early risers to walking dear

[12:38] old Stella up and down Bay Street passed our house

[12:41] where they catch me watering early sometimes, although they're often

[12:44] done and finished by the time up because they are

[12:47] too hardworking people of a generation that produced a lot

[12:50] of hard workers. And it's been exemplified in your career.

[12:54] So thank you. You are welcome to respond if you

[13:02] would like, please. Your worship, thank you for such humbling

[13:07] words. It has been generally an unbelievable honour to serve

[13:13] our community. I have experiences and stories and friendships and

[13:20] memories to lost a lifetime. And we work with amazing

[13:23] people, the city of Nawal staff are incredibly hard -

[13:27] working people who are committed to our community. And I've

[13:30] seen that for the last 30 years. And I don't

[13:32] see that changing in the future. Uh, we just live

[13:36] in an amazing community. We have amazing recreation facilities. And

[13:41] our city is just a beautiful city place to live.

[13:44] That shows myth population growing the way it is. Um,

[13:47] I feel that this is an incredibly, I'm incredibly lucky

[13:52] person to have landed in the position that I did

[13:55] in 1996 and to think that I can still be

[13:57] sitting here 30 years later. And for that, I owe

[14:01] appreciation to counsel and to my colleagues and all of

[14:07] the people that I've had the privilege to work with

[14:09] over the last 30 years. So thank you very much.

[14:12] Thank you. Nothing too rise and report on Ms.

[14:22] Gurry. We have no presentations. Committee minutes are just for

[14:25] receipt. I'm asking for a motion for adoption of the

[14:29] consent items. Moved Councillor Manley. Secretary Councillor Armstrong. Not seeing

[14:34] anyone wanting to withdraw anything. All those in favor and

[14:37] any opposed none motion carries. Thank you. Uh, on to

[14:42] an item 11 delegations unrelated to agenda items. Tonight, we

[14:46] are delighted to have Kamal Palmar, our former poet laureate

[14:49] and Arlene Bundell, who enjoyed the culture award from the

[14:53] city of Nanaimo. And welcome Eugena Mathewson, president of Project

[14:58] Bookmark, Canada, who's attending via Zoom to answer questions if

[15:02] necessary. Good evening to the two of you. Welcome. Five

[15:06] minutes and I will let you know when the minute

[15:09] left. If you're still talking. The floor is yours. And

[15:14] welcome. Good evening everyone. Your worship Mayor Krog respected city

[15:21] councillors guests and city staff. My name is Gamalpar and

[15:26] my colleague here is Arlene Blunder. We also have the

[15:29] president of the Board of Director Project Bookmark, Eudina Matheson

[15:35] Over Zoom all the way from Hamilton, Ontario. Thank you

[15:39] very much for permitting us time for our presentation to

[15:43] give a talk about a project for which we are

[15:46] very passionate about. We wish to help NaNIMO become a

[15:51] destination city with the projects that would be part of

[15:54] a national literary trail site called bookmarks. Project

[16:04] bookmark Canada exists to mark our stories in our spaces

[16:09] by placing fiction and poetry in the exact Canadian locations

[16:14] where it re - scenes are set. From St. John's

[16:18] harbour to the islands of Heidagoy from our populist Southern

[16:23] border to the land above the tree line. Our stories

[16:26] belong to these places. Building Canada's literary trail. A project

[16:35] bookmark Canada is a nationally registered charitable organisation building Canada's

[16:41] literary trail. Incorporated in 2007, it unveiled its first bookmark

[16:47] in 2009 passage from the famous poet Michael on that

[16:53] chair. In the skin of a lion at the Blue

[16:56] Street Viaduct in Toronto. There are 30 plus bookmark and

[17:01] more coming across nine provinces with dozens more in development.

[17:10] Uh, this is just a map of Canada and showing

[17:15] that in almost every province we have bookmarks. All provinces,

[17:22] even BC. Victor. It's in Vancouver, but not on Vancouver

[17:28] Island. So our effort and our request is that we

[17:32] give us approval to PudnaNIMO on part of the Canadian

[17:37] literary trail. This is a picture of the bookmark or

[17:44] the black. Taken in Botox National Historic Site, which is

[17:50] in Saskatchewan. And this is a poem. The swing circle

[17:56] by the famous poet Greg Lee Schoolog. Let's look at

[18:05] the vision. It's a vision is to create a permanent

[18:08] series of site - specific literary exhibits using text from

[18:13] imaging stories that take place in real locations. It's a

[18:17] unique innovation. While many countries are produced to the nation's

[18:22] stories and writers, no other country is creating a national

[18:26] network of site - specific installation celebrating the country's stories.

[18:32] Project bookmark, Canada is the only national site - specific

[18:36] literary exhibit in the world. One of a guy in

[18:40] Canadian Innovation so that you can read your way across

[18:45] Canada. What are the objectives? We aim to enhance reading

[18:51] culture in Canada, word by word and kilometer by kilometer.

[18:56] Strengthen a sense of shared national identity and belonging. Bring

[19:01] communities like NaNIMO into the national CANLIT rail. Use the

[19:06] creative bird to link local communities to nationwide conversations. Increase

[19:12] tourism through literary destinations across all provinces. And one minute.

[19:19] This is estimated the budget of project bookmark. We have

[19:27] given you handouts and the president is going to go

[19:31] into detail about the expenditure. There is a generous donor

[19:39] that's willing to donate 10, 000 dollars and the person

[19:43] remains anonymous. It's a one - time request from the

[19:47] city of Nanaemo Council for around 5, 700 dollars. This

[19:52] field that way. Thank you very much. Any questions. Thank

[19:58] you very much. Questions for the delegation. Councillor Eastmyer and

[20:04] then Councillor Manley, please. Thank you for the presentation. Um,

[20:10] I know I've spoken with you about your desire to

[20:13] bring this project to the NIMO. And have you already

[20:17] been in touch with city staff about the potential to

[20:20] bring this to the NIMO. What's been your experience so

[20:23] far, trying to work with city staff on bringing this

[20:27] to the city, I conducted the cultural arts division. And

[20:33] then they said ask me to look for grants and

[20:37] fill in the application. However, I was lucky enough to

[20:40] get somebody who's giving, as a generalistian of 10, 000

[20:45] dollars. I also contacted Vancouver Island Regional Library. They were

[20:51] willing to help but not with the finance as such.

[20:55] And I contacted and IMO art Nana Mort culture. They

[21:01] were not able to provide financial. Fun aid. Okay, I

[21:06] wonder if potentially NaNIMO Foundation, I'm hearing that suggestion could

[21:10] be a supporter for this. I don't know if you've

[21:13] spoken to the NaNIMO Foundation, but I've seen them sponsoring

[21:16] some great local cultural events recently. Um, I guess my

[21:20] other question that sticks out to me is the fact

[21:23] that this is all very focused on, um, like Canadian

[21:26] literature, but then the bookmark itself is manufactured in the

[21:29] United States. And I'm just wondering like, is there a

[21:32] way that we could manufacture it locally and that would

[21:34] deal with some of like the, um, the custo to

[21:38] kind of eliminate that and support like local manufacturing and

[21:41] business? Yeah. Thank you for the question. And I'll request

[21:44] the president of the board of directors, Eugene out to

[21:47] answer the question. Thank you. I'm Hearina Matheson, our president

[21:51] of the board and executive director. That question is, I

[21:55] know at the top of everybody's mind and it has

[21:57] been particularly since we've had this conflict with the United

[22:01] States. When the bookmark ProJwickMar Canada started, it was started

[22:06] by Miranda Hill, the writer. And she in Toronto. She

[22:12] searched around for a manufacturer that would make that withstand

[22:19] Canadian climate and withstand many years. And she found the

[22:23] one in the United States. And it was the same

[22:26] one used by heritage Toronto. If any of you have

[22:29] been in Toronto, the many plaques representing historic sites and

[22:32] buildings, et cetera. Now we have stayed with them and

[22:37] so has heritage Toronto. I have, because I feel very

[22:41] much the way you feel. It should be Canadian. We

[22:45] have searched from Newfoundland in here. I'm in Burlington, by

[22:51] the way. There's a huge sign factory with guest. Other

[22:53] people in Alberta. And everybody comes up with the same

[22:58] comment, that company wins a fireform in Washington state manufacturers

[23:05] the best product that would withstand years of, you might

[23:11] say, um, weather, et cetera. The other thing, and I've

[23:15] asked people, we don't have a large volume. I'm not,

[23:19] we are not putting many, many plaques in per year.

[23:23] So for a manufacturer to set up a new line

[23:27] just for us would be not feasible financially. But if

[23:32] somebody can come up with and we have tried, my

[23:34] husband's an engineer and he's been searching as well and

[23:37] talking to people. We have never found a manufacturer. So

[23:40] we, we continue with this one. If you're asking people

[23:44] to donate a certain amount of money, like most of

[23:47] the manufacturers I've dealt with, they say, okay, your plaque,

[23:51] this plaque will last about 10 years. Well, that's not

[23:54] long enough. If you're having people, um, trying to create

[23:59] a literary trail that is commemorating these authors and honouring

[24:03] these authors. And if it's only going to last 15

[24:05] years. And you can check around and I do look

[24:08] at every sign possible. They do wear out with time.

[24:13] So if you can, if you have any ideas, I

[24:15] would be open for them. But right now, and I

[24:17] have tried. And the board has tried. This is where

[24:21] we're stuck. I'm sorry. I'm taking a bit more time,

[24:23] but I've got some issues that I knew would be

[24:26] before. And it's, and thanks for the explanation. And I

[24:29] know that we do really excellent signage in the city

[24:31] of Nanaimo in our parks. It's definitely got to be

[24:34] possible. So I believe that there's a way. And I

[24:37] appreciate the challenges you've experienced. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.

[24:40] Thank you, Councillor Manley. Thank you worship. Thank you for

[24:44] the presentation. Um, I assume that the, um, the book

[24:48] marks would be local like authors from the local area.

[24:54] Is that to identify somebody? Have you, um, have you

[24:57] identified a local author yet? Or is that something that

[25:01] would be kept under wraps until you figure this out?

[25:05] Regardless where the money comes from. Well, I'm interested, but

[25:10] I mean, it doesn't look good, you know, that it's

[25:13] just my idea to have the project bookmark and have

[25:16] my poem in there. But I'm open to other local

[25:20] authors for sure. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you.

[25:25] Thank you, Councillor Thorpe. Please. Thank you very much. You

[25:28] worship through you if I may. Ms. Parmor and Ms.

[25:31] Blindelle. Thank you for being here. We have spoken about

[25:33] this project and it's certainly one that interests me. Um,

[25:38] the price point, quite frankly, is off - putting, but

[25:41] with the contribution that you've referenced, that helps an awful

[25:45] lot. My question is, and it's too bad that, uh,

[25:48] Ms. Osborne isn't here still. Our city is, I'm sure

[25:52] you're aware does have a poetry trail. That is something

[25:56] that Mr. Neal Sirkan developed last year. I'm just wondering

[26:00] if there might be an opportunity to partner with that

[26:04] project. Have you considered that at all? Thank you for

[26:07] the question, Councillor. When I was former white laureate, it

[26:12] was at that time that the poetry trail was started.

[26:15] And it's very neat idea. Yes, we can continue with

[26:18] that and make this part of a project too. But

[26:24] I suppose the president have to get her consent. The

[26:28] president of the board of directors, project bookmark. All right.

[26:35] That's, that's fine. Thank you. That answers my question. Uh,

[26:38] appreciate your time and effort in this. I'm not seeing

[26:43] any. Yeah. It was further answer. I know councillor. East

[26:48] Mirror suggesting, um, areas that we could go to for

[26:53] funding. One of the problems is if we apply for

[26:57] a grant, the grant grants her wants to have, wants

[27:03] to give them money to nonprofit society. And so they

[27:09] are looking at, for an organisation that has an executive

[27:14] and a board, uh, which we don't have. So we

[27:18] cannot get any of those grounds. Um, because we're not

[27:22] open to them. And so what we're hoping, what I'm

[27:28] hoping is maybe there's a slush one or something in

[27:32] the city here that the staff can look into and

[27:37] see if there's some way that through public art or

[27:41] any area where they can put, maybe the five, I

[27:48] think, if I understand correctly, the city has to or

[27:54] should show support for this project. Before it goes ahead.

[28:00] So we need some city input. Uh, whether it's just

[28:06] a letter of letter of support, letter of approval or

[28:12] whether it's some money that goes towards the project. Thank

[28:19] you very much. I think the technical term you're looking

[28:21] for was mad money. Appreciate you. Thank you, your shipmaker

[28:26] and the company. Appreciate both of you coming tonight. Thank

[28:28] you so much. Thank you. Uh, the next delegation is

[28:33] Anna McKenzie Re Departure Bay Safety and Noise Concern. Is

[28:37] Ms. McKenzie coming in online or is she.

[28:48] Helping me here? Um, your worship my understanding was that

[28:51] she was going to be here in person. So if

[28:55] she. All right. Well, we'll indulge you if she's. Unsure

[28:58] of the time or something's happened. We'll get back to

[29:00] her. That otherwise complete delegations tonight. The next is administered

[29:05] reports. The 2025 annual municipal report. Ms. Gurie. Thanks. Please.

[29:12] Thank you, worship. Um, so, uh, each year, uh, the

[29:18] community charter, section 98 requires that municipalities in BC published

[29:22] an annual report before June 30th of each year and

[29:25] make the report available for public review. Um, this year,

[29:28] marks the 22nd annual report published by the City of

[29:31] Nanaima. And this year's report is themed illuminate. And it

[29:35] commemorates 150 years since the first election and meeting of

[29:39] city of Nanaimo Council and 1875, as well as the

[29:42] luminous path. And I'm a 150 and beyond festival. The

[29:46] document contains the following components. Um, for the year ending

[29:51] December 31st, 2025. And that is messages from the mayor

[29:55] and CAO, overview of NaNIMO City Council profile of NONIMO,

[30:00] City Services and Operations. Corporate strategic plan progress report. Audited

[30:04] annual financial statements and financial statistics. And as you're aware,

[30:10] because it was just awarded out of recent council meeting,

[30:13] um, for the last five consecutive years, the city has

[30:17] been awarded a Canadian Award for Financial reporting from the

[30:20] government financial officers association of the United States and Canada

[30:25] for its 2024 annual municipal report. This is, um, it

[30:30] was last year as well as the Four consecutive years

[30:33] before that. Um, this award is given to municipal governments

[30:36] that publish a report that is easily readable, efficiently organised,

[30:40] and clearly communicates the municipal governance, financial picture. So we

[30:44] are looking for council to approve the 2012 annual ammunes

[30:50] of poll report. And as a requirement in the Community

[30:53] Charter and our procedure bylaw, we first need to hear

[30:56] from anyone that wishes to speak to it before we

[30:59] get that recommendation approved from council. Thank you very much,

[31:03] Councillor Thorpe. Thank you, your worship. If I may through

[31:06] you a comment and a couple of questions, um, first

[31:10] of all, I look through this report this morning and

[31:14] I was very impressed with the format and how easily

[31:17] readable it is. Full of information. I know it's been

[31:21] on the city website. And I certainly encourage viewers to

[31:24] check it. And, uh, I'm sure they'll find the answer

[31:27] to a lot of things that they might not already

[31:30] know. Um, the section on taxation is interesting. We're tax

[31:35] dollars go to. And I especially appreciated the section on

[31:38] highlights of governance and corporate excellence. Um, my question is

[31:42] your worship. On page 76. Under Statistics at a glance

[31:48] development services. I was a little disappointed to see that

[31:53] the total number of new business licences issued was down

[31:57] in 2025 from 2024. 1, 237 down to 984.

[32:08] Those are new business licences. I take that literally. I'm

[32:12] wondering if we have any statistics on the number of

[32:15] business licences that we're not renewed. Which would indicate the

[32:19] business was either closing or moving. And it's possible. We

[32:23] don't have that information, but I would be curious. Um,

[32:30] your worship for you to councillor Thorpe. I don't believe

[32:32] we would have that offhand, but we could definitely get

[32:34] that back to you. And, um, and have that information.

[32:37] But you are correct. It does say, um, it's for

[32:40] new business licences issued, um, so, uh, that would only

[32:44] reflect the new ones. Whereas, yes, it is less than

[32:47] 2024. Um, but I don't know how many, um, weren't

[32:51] renewed or possibly they all were renewed. And these are

[32:55] just the new ones that are noted. All right. Thank

[32:57] you. And if I may or worship a second question,

[33:00] this is from page 130 expenses by object 2025 from

[33:05] our finance department. It indicates that 40. Went to

[33:15] wages and benefits. But then it indicates that 32. Now,

[33:23] would that relate to. Physical services or would the technical

[33:29] advice that we get as we often do. Can somebody

[33:34] give me an answer to that. Ms. Mayor, sir, please.

[33:39] Three of your worship. Yes. So contracted services would be

[33:42] engineering services, management consulting, flagging. Anything and everything that we

[33:50] contract others to do. That works. Studies, those kinds of

[33:54] things. Yeah. So highly specialized knowledge is required. Right. I

[33:59] assume that. But thank you for confirming. Thank you. Thanks,

[34:02] your worship. Thank you. Uh, is there anyone who wishes

[34:06] to speak regarding the 2025 annual municipal report. I have

[34:11] up to three minutes. You just identify yourself for the

[34:13] record, please. And you get to the mic. Jeff Ansley.

[34:20] How you guys doing tonight? Um, first question actually just

[34:23] came from Councillor Thorpe. He said there was a page

[34:27] 130, but in the actual report you gave to this

[34:29] us, it was only 122. What's the discrepancy on that?

[34:36] When you were quoting what you were saying, um, you

[34:39] said page 130, but and the reports that we were

[34:41] given, uh, just the public, I got. So I'm just

[34:46] wondering what that described. Your worship. It's the agenda package.

[34:51] So Councillor Thorpe was looking at the whole agenda package

[34:53] for tonight. And it's page 130 of the whole agenda

[34:56] population. Got it. Okay. Okay. Okay. Um, okay. Uh, my

[35:00] question was between 20, 21 and 2025, we have hired,

[35:05] actually I think exactly 103 new people. Which roughly a

[35:09] 15 percent increase. I'm just wondering if you with numbers

[35:12] could give me a breakdown on, on those 120 new

[35:15] employees. Ms. Curry. That's not information. I think we would

[35:23] probably have offhand, but we could get back to Mr.

[35:26] Ronsley on that. Keep in mind, Mr. Annalsley, it's not

[35:31] question period. So you're three minutes of running here. Okay.

[35:34] That's fine. All right. Thanks very much. Anyone else. If

[35:40] not, there is a recommended motion. Move Councillor Thorpe, Secretary

[35:44] Councillor Hemmons, all those in favor, any opposed, none motion

[35:48] carries. Thank you. The next is 12B Off Street Parking

[35:51] Regulations bylaw 2016. Number 7453. Mr. Rosen, you're going to

[35:57] introduce this, please. Welcome. Your worship council.

[36:08] At the October 31st, 2025 GPC, council made some decisions

[36:12] and recommendations for changes and updates to the off -

[36:15] street parking bylaw. Staff of completed the changes to the

[36:19] bylaw, and it's now ready for councils consideration. There are

[36:23] sections on vehicle parking requirements. Loading space requirements, mobility scooter

[36:29] and bicycle parking, electrical vehicle charging. Transportation demand management, and

[36:35] variances. So the current report is an opportunity for council

[36:38] to give the first three readings of the revised bylaw.

[36:41] And if there are any questions, council has, we have

[36:43] the city Robinson here, the city's transportation planner. Uh, available

[36:47] to answer questions as well as, I believe, the consultant,

[36:50] Mr. Dan Casey. Uh, available. So I'll turn things over

[36:53] to Ms. Robinson. Ms. Robinson, good evening. Welcome. Good evening.

[36:59] Thank you, council. Um, Mr. Rosen captured most of it,

[37:04] but I will just highlight, um, that we've been here

[37:07] before you several times over the past 18 months as

[37:11] this work progressed. And we have, um, initially come with

[37:17] the citywide parking review outlining the NINIMOs, current parking regulations

[37:22] and key challenges related to growth, housing and transportation. We

[37:26] then returned with the engagement summary and early directions. That

[37:30] directly shaped was the direction was shaped by input from

[37:37] residents. The advisory committee on accessibility and inclusiveness industry stakeholders

[37:42] and transportation providers. And then more recently this past fall

[37:47] counsel endorsed the overall direction of the parking review and

[37:50] directed staff to prepare bylaw and policy updates. So since

[37:54] then, recommendations have been refined through targeted engagement with frequent

[37:59] bylaw users, including development professionals, as well as internal departments.

[38:04] So as Mr. Rosa mentioned, tonight is the first formal

[38:07] step in bringing forward the new Off Street Parking Relations

[38:10] bylaw. Um, and our consultant Dan Casey should be on

[38:16] the line and we're happy to take any questions that

[38:20] council might have. Thank you very much. Councilprino, pardon me,

[38:25] Councillor Armstrong, first and count, Ceprino. Thank you. Two questions

[38:30] through you, FMA. The first one is when I was

[38:33] researching all this car ownership is rising considerably on Vancouver

[38:36] Island. And in the NOM, we've been from our own

[38:40] economic impact. We've shown an increase of over 2, 500

[38:43] cars. How is this going to impact where they're going

[38:46] to park if we eliminate parking from a lot of

[38:48] these places? Thank you, Council Armstrong. So the parking

[38:57] regulations, we have heard from developers that with more flexibility,

[39:03] more housing should be able to be built, which is

[39:06] another big concern in the city. Um, we're hoping that

[39:09] with the parking bean contextualized with fewer parking spaces required

[39:15] as the closer you get to urban centres and more

[39:18] required in suburban areas, that should be aligned with where

[39:22] transit and alternate modes are supported. So hopefully we do

[39:27] expect some shift in the short term to on street

[39:32] parking demand. But that should be managed through the curbside

[39:37] review that we're going to be undertaking following this work.

[39:40] And then my second question, and this was sent to

[39:42] me by a citizen, their point is, and I know

[39:45] I asked us of the consultant before. Many of people

[39:49] in new subdivisions have to pay for it rode infrastructure

[39:52] for their, their garage, which could be add 50 to

[39:54] 60, 000 onto their prices. And they're asking, why are

[39:58] they expected to do this? And then, uh, condo owners

[40:01] aren't. And then the condo owners parked their cars on

[40:04] the streets they paid for. If I understand the question

[40:11] correctly, people who live in subdivisions, um, have to pay

[40:18] for the frontage works that people who live in condos

[40:22] also park out. Is that? Yeah. The question she said,

[40:26] maybe I didn't say it right. Was she said that

[40:28] their hose cost them approximately figured between 50 and 60,

[40:31] 000 more for the DCCs, which brought, you know, your

[40:33] water infrastructure parking, et cetera. And that we hear from,

[40:36] uh, developers that they don't want to pay for parking

[40:39] lots because the average parking space costs around 50, 000

[40:41] dollars so they don't, then the people that buy in

[40:44] those places end up parking on streets that were paid

[40:46] for by the owners of the streets. They're not paid

[40:49] for by city dollars was the question. Mr. Rosen, I

[40:53] see studiancer. Mr. Rosen, please. Three worship council Armstrong. So

[40:58] regardless of development, whether it's a single family home or

[41:00] a commercial or a multifamily residential, they have to construct

[41:04] frontage works and services. If the road access, typically like

[41:08] a single family home, like subdivision would be required to

[41:10] build the road network. It's not a DCC project necessarily.

[41:15] DCC projects tend to be the larger arterials that a

[41:19] lot of people are using. Um, so in both cases,

[41:23] the developer would be responsible for works and services and

[41:26] potentially road construction, which ultimately gets turned over to the

[41:29] city as a public asset for the city to manage

[41:32] in the best interests of the community in terms of

[41:34] parking regulations and so on and so forth. So I'm

[41:37] not, I'm not too sure that there's an unfairness there.

[41:40] Um, single family home would have access to parking on

[41:43] site. Multifamily or like an apartment, for example, they may

[41:47] or may not decide to have a lot or a

[41:48] little bit of parking. So, yeah, I think their point

[41:51] was that they're paying to have those roads when they

[41:53] buy their houses when it's a new subdivision. And then

[41:57] people just come and park on them. That was, I

[41:59] think, the point they're trying to make. And just one

[42:01] other thing. When I was at the FCM, I went

[42:03] to the, um. The building infrastructure, whatever. And that was

[42:07] very interesting. Stuart Kerig, who's administrator of the Edmonton Housing

[42:11] Direct Action. They found their developers there did not want

[42:14] to remove the park in minimum. So that was quite

[42:16] interesting because it said they couldn't sell. It was fine

[42:18] for rentals, but not selling. So interesting that we put

[42:21] it back to the developers. Thank you. Thank you. Any

[42:26] further questions, Council Aprino, please? Yes. Thank you. What your

[42:31] worship. The question that I have for staff is this

[42:34] report didn't talk about those particular roads where there is

[42:39] generally no parking, but some residents will have a sticker.

[42:44] So that they won't get ticketed. And I'm just wondering,

[42:48] is it somewhere, is it coming in in the next

[42:51] stage? I'm just wondering. Thank you, councillor Prino. I think

[42:59] you might be referring to resident exempt parking just to

[43:03] clarify the scope of this work is specific to off

[43:07] street parking for developments. So that would be reviewed under

[43:11] further works for the citywide parking review through a separate

[43:13] bylaw review. Okay. So is that going to be done

[43:17] or is that just a whole different section altogether? Yes.

[43:22] It will be done as part of the citywide parking

[43:24] review. I don't know what the changes, if any, will

[43:27] be, but it will be considered. Okay. Good. Thank you

[43:30] so much. Thank you. Thank you. I'm not seeing any

[43:33] further questions. There was a councillor evidence. Thank you. Your

[43:39] worship. I moved that off street parking regulations by law

[43:41] 2026 number 7453 to regulate off street parking and transportation

[43:46] demand management within the city of Nanaimo PASS reading. Second

[43:50] account, Ceere. All those in favor. Councillor Eastmare Gesselbrock Chemen's

[43:57] Mary Crowe, Councillor Manley, Councillor Brown and Cassaprino and those

[44:00] opposed. Councillor's Armstrong Thorpe Motion carries. Thank you. I moved

[44:05] that the bylaw past second reading. Seconded Councillor Eastmare. Any

[44:11] discussion. Councillor Thorpe. I'm not sure worship through you. Uh,

[44:17] I read this really carefully. And there are lots of

[44:21] things in this report that I agree with and like.

[44:24] And unfortunately there are also some things that I really

[44:28] disagree with personally. Um, and I'll start by saying I

[44:32] have absolutely respect for Mr. Rosen and his staff and

[44:36] for urban systems. Um, I always appreciate their advice. Um,

[44:41] and this report, I think is in line with council

[44:44] direction over the past several years. So I acknowledge that.

[44:47] Um, our emphasis has very heavily being in recent years

[44:52] on active transportation. And. You know, I support act of

[44:59] transportation. Until it gets to the point where it has

[45:03] a negative impact on, uh, traffic flow and the ability

[45:08] of people to move around our streets and vehicles, whether

[45:11] it's cars or delivery trucks, which we are seeing a

[45:13] lot more of. So it's great in theory. But I

[45:18] look at the report and I look at disadvantages of

[45:20] this option. Adoption represents a cultural shift away from traditional

[45:25] car - centric parking expectations, which may raise concerns about

[45:29] parking availability in urban centres. Yes, it does. For me,

[45:34] it does. Huge concerns. So, um, I think back to

[45:39] the master transportation plan that was developed back in 2016

[45:44] that indicated that the trips taken per day in our

[45:48] city, 88 percent of them wereby vehicles. 2. 5 percent

[45:55] of them were trips taken by bus. 8. 5 percent

[45:59] were trips taken by people walking. And people riding bikes

[46:03] was one percent. So the reality is our population is

[46:10] growing. We have more people. We have more autumnobiles. We

[46:13] have more delivery trucks. Uh, and now we're taking away

[46:17] parking. To me, it's just not in line with the

[46:23] reality that we're faced with. So again, in theory, it's

[46:27] fine. It is in line with council direction, but high

[46:30] count support it. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Gesselbrock, then

[46:34] Councillor Armstrong. Uh, thanks Mayor. Through you. Um, I'm in

[46:38] support of this bylaw. I think it's a well balanced

[46:41] by a lot. That gives developers the flexibility with the

[46:43] parking regulations to reduce barriers to build much needed housing

[46:47] units and to meet the transportation needs of the residents.

[46:50] Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Armstrong. Thank you. I agree

[46:54] with much of what councillor Thorpe said. My biggest concern.

[46:58] I agree with a lot of it by biblicist concern

[47:00] is having maximum. It's parking. And we saw that when

[47:04] the developer from the one up off Mary Ellen Drive

[47:07] wanted more parking and couldn't get it. And that was

[47:09] a concern. And it remains a concern for them because

[47:12] they're struggling to rent some of them because the enough

[47:13] parking. So I have a, I have a big issue

[47:16] with, with that. That's one, that's my main reason for

[47:18] not supporting this. I agree with a lot of the

[47:20] other stuff. But the fact that we wanted to put

[47:22] in parking maximums, again, I just can't agree with that.

[47:26] Thank you. Thank you not seeing any further questions. All

[47:32] those in favor, councillors e - smear, Guessle Rock, Councillor

[47:35] Hens, Merrick Crowe, Councillor Manley, Councillor Brown, Councilprino, those opposed.

[47:39] Councillor Storp and Armstrong Motion carries. Councillor Hemins. Thank you.

[47:45] I move. Thank you. I moved that the bylaw pass

[47:48] third reading. Seconded. Councillor Manley. All those in favor. Councillor

[47:56] Eastmire, Councillor Gesselbrock. Councillor Hemmons, Mayor Crow, Councillor Manley, Council

[48:01] Brown, Councilprino, and those opposed. Councillor Thorpe and Councillor Armstrong.

[48:08] Thank you. Uh, I move that Council endorse amendments to

[48:13] consideration of variance as policy COU - 246 and repeal

[48:18] the existing city of Nanaimo Policy for consideration of a

[48:21] parking variance. Subject to adoption of Offstreet Parking Regulations by

[48:25] a law 2026, number 7453. Seconded. Council Reichmer. All those

[48:33] in favor. Councillor Eastmere, Councillor Guesserok. Councillor Hemmons, Mayor Crowe,

[48:38] Councillor Manley, Councillor Brown, Count Screno, and those Pose councillors,

[48:42] arms throwing in Thorpe, Motion carries. Thank you very much.

[48:45] Uh, item C, Traffic Demand Management Reserve Fund bylaw. Ms.

[48:50] Mercer, please. Thank you, your worship. So with the creation

[48:52] of the new Off Street Parking Regulation bylaw, a corresponding

[48:56] reserve fund bylaw is needed to keep an account of

[48:59] the funds collected for this function. So under the local

[49:02] government act, all cash and lieu payments collected for transportation

[49:08] demand, sorry, transportation, demand management measures must be deposited into

[49:14] a reserve fund. So the funds can be used in

[49:17] this reserve for capital infrastructure costs, as well as debt

[49:21] surfacing. So staff are here looking for the first three

[49:23] readings of this by - law. Thank you very much.

[49:29] No, I have a question. Yeah. My question is on

[49:31] number one capital infrastructure cost. Does that include crosswalks. Would

[49:36] that be a capital or is that just, like I

[49:38] never know. Anybody know. If not, I can ask later.

[49:46] Okay. Thanks. Thank you. Any other questions. Councillor Hemens.

[49:56] Uh, I move that traffic demand management reserve fund bylaw

[49:59] 2026, number 7456 to establish a traffic demand management reserve

[50:03] fund PASS First Reading. Second account, sir Armstrong. All those

[50:09] in favor. And any opposed, none motion carries. I move

[50:14] that the bylaw passed second reading. Second aid, Councillor Armstrong.

[50:19] Any discussion, not seeing any, all those in favor. Any

[50:22] opposed none? Motion carries. And I move that the bylaw

[50:25] pass third reading. Secretary of Councillor Thorpe. All those in

[50:30] favor and any opposed, none, motion carries. Thank you. Ron

[50:35] Titem D, Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority bylaw and

[50:38] zoning bylaw amendment, servicing officer amendments. That's a mouthful. Mr.

[50:44] Holm, good evening. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening to you

[50:48] and council. So this is coming out of direction provided

[50:53] by council February 2nd at its meeting on February 2nd

[50:57] to prepare amendments to. I'll just call it the delegation

[51:00] by law for simplicity. To designate a servicing officer pursuant

[51:05] to section 513, two of the local government act. This

[51:09] is coming out of, um, authority granted to local governments,

[51:13] to municipalities through Bill 16, the housing statute's amendment act.

[51:17] Which allows local government to create a servicing officer, which

[51:21] is a class of person designated by bylaw, uh, who

[51:25] can require road dedication at the time of issuance of

[51:28] a building permit. So the province in some of the

[51:31] housing related legislative changes that they've made, uh, they recognise

[51:35] that if local governments are pre - zoning land, uh,

[51:40] one of the challenges that, uh, can run into is

[51:43] not being able to secure road dedication, uh, because typically

[51:48] road dedication is required through at the time of rezoning

[51:51] or subdivision. So designation of a servicing officer would allow,

[51:56] uh, that person to, uh, to require road dedication at

[52:00] the time of building permit issuance. Um, staff are recommending

[52:04] three classes of persons be designated as servicing officer. Director

[52:08] of Planning and Development Manager of Development Engineering Manager of

[52:12] Subdivision. Uh, these positions are people occupying these positions. They're

[52:18] also subdivision approving officers currently designated by council. Um, also,

[52:24] uh, company and due to the timing of road dedication

[52:28] required by the servicing officer. At building permit stage. It

[52:35] can be challenging for developers. To face uncertainty of having

[52:41] to dedicate land at the building permit stage when they've

[52:44] planned for development on existing parcels. Uh, that can impact

[52:51] such issues as florary ratio. That's a density. Relationship between

[52:56] the area of the building and the area of the

[52:58] lot. Uh, lot coverage and setbacks can also be impacted.

[53:02] So in a company amendment, uh, staffer recommending, um, amendments

[53:07] to the zoning bylaw that would allow, uh, those provisions

[53:10] of the zoning bylaw, um, to apply at building permit

[53:15] application based on the predication area of the lot. I

[53:19] hope that makes sense. I can explain it more clearly

[53:21] if needed. Um, and I'm happy to take any questions.

[53:24] Thanks. Thank you very much. Any questions, councillor Hemmons and

[53:28] Councillor Ishmir. No, sorry. Councillor, you smeared. Thank you. It

[53:35] says that, um, sorry, when, when would be the public

[53:40] hearing that this would get added to the gender for,

[53:43] would it be this Thursday or a future public hearing?

[53:46] Thank you through your worship councillor. That would be July.

[53:49] It would be the next scheduled public hearing for this

[53:52] item. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. No further questions for

[53:58] staff. Councillor Hemins. Thank you. I moved that officer designation

[54:01] and delegation of authority by law 2026, number seven, three,

[54:05] five, three point zero five, an amendment to designate servicing

[54:08] officers PS1. Secretary councillor Thorpe, all those in favor and

[54:15] any opposed, none, Motion carries. I moved that the bylaw

[54:19] pass second reading. Seconded. Councillor Eastmare. All those in favor,

[54:25] any opposed, none motion carries. They moved at the bylaw

[54:28] past third reading. Secretary Councillor Thorpe, all those in favor,

[54:34] any opposed non carries. I moved it zoning amendment by

[54:38] law 2026. Number 54500. 257 is zoning in bylaw amendment

[54:44] to allow certain zoning provisions to apply based on the

[54:47] lot area and dimensions prior to road dedication required by

[54:50] your servicing officer PAST 1's reading. Secretary Count 3 Eastmare.

[54:54] All those in favor and any opposed. None. I move

[54:59] that the bylaw pass second reading. Second councillor Eastmare. All

[55:03] those in favor. Any opposed, none. I move that council

[55:08] direct staff to hold a public hearing for zoning amendment

[55:10] by law 2026. Number 4500. 257. Councillor Thorpe. All those

[55:17] in favor. Any opposed and motion carries. The next is

[55:21] E neighbourhood association priority request 2026. Mr. Holmes, please. Thank

[55:27] you, worship. Um, happy to present this item. Um, council

[55:31] is familiar with this as an annual process. Um, city

[55:36] plan, the official community plan, um, encourages counsel along with,

[55:41] um, council neighbourhood supports policy encourages counsel to host an

[55:45] annual engagement event with neighbourhood associations. Uh, to hear their

[55:49] priorities. And, uh, the fourth such event, um, took place

[55:54] on April 29th. We had 14 neighbourhood associations in attendance.

[55:59] Um, as well as, um, staff from all departments of

[56:03] the city. And many on council attended, uh, this event

[56:07] provided an opportunity for neighbourhood associations. To discuss their requested

[56:13] priority actions in their specific area with council members and

[56:19] staff. And, uh, that was a facilitated event following the

[56:25] event. The recorded requests were sent out to neighbourhood associations.

[56:31] To allow them an opportunity to verify the, uh, the

[56:34] wording. And intent of their priority requests. Uh, there's an

[56:38] attachment to the report attachment AU. Contains the finalised 2026

[56:45] priority request for council to consider on, um, responses received

[56:50] from based on responses received from, uh, neighbourhood associations. And

[56:54] it's recommended that staff receive the, or sorry, that council

[56:57] received the 2026 neighbourhood association priority requests. Um, which, um,

[57:02] which would be considered could be considered for the inclusion

[57:06] in the city's capital plans, budgets and departmental work plans.

[57:10] Thank you. Thank you very much. I'll move the recommended

[57:15] motion. This is a secondary councillor. Yeah, I just want

[57:19] to say, I think this is probably one of my

[57:20] favourite events that we hold all year as council. I

[57:24] love hearing from residents. I love how residents want so

[57:28] much to speak to staff. And we get to be

[57:31] there and be that facilitator. So just kudos to the

[57:33] staff who put this on. Kudos to the people from

[57:35] the neighbourhoods who came out and advocated for what they

[57:37] wanted to see. This is a great program. Thank you,

[57:42] Councillor Ishmir. Thank you. Yeah, I think likewise, it's also

[57:45] one of my highlights just because, um, it's a great

[57:49] example of when people are really engaged in their neighbourhoods,

[57:53] the value of having that neighbourhood association. I'm really glad

[57:56] the city's doing more to support the neighbourhood associations. Um,

[57:59] and if you live in a neighbourhood that doesn't have

[58:01] one, I think this is a real credit to show

[58:03] why it can be valuable. I would love to one

[58:07] day see all of these items actually checked off. And

[58:10] I know that, um, it's taken, like it takes an

[58:12] immense amount of work from the neighbourhoods to come up

[58:15] with the priorities and then follow up with staff on

[58:17] them. And I know it also takes a lot of

[58:18] staff work to track these things and try to incorporate

[58:21] them into our existing plans and look for opportunities. So,

[58:24] um, I just know that a lot of effort goes

[58:27] into both making these lists and then trying to get

[58:30] these things done. And I wish we could wave a

[58:32] magic wand and do all of them. Cause I think

[58:34] the city would be a really, um, great place if

[58:37] we could get all of these things done. But I

[58:38] do think they're all, um, possible in manageable. So I

[58:42] really appreciate the time that's gone into refining them and

[58:44] making sure that they're reasonable and achievable goals. And, um,

[58:50] yeah, I just, I'm really grateful for people thinking in

[58:52] such detail about what items will make the city a

[58:55] better place to live. So thank you. Thank you. I

[58:58] concur with, uh, my learned friends, as they say in

[59:01] the court of appeal, Ms. Curie. Just Councillor Prano has

[59:04] her hand raised. Oh, Council Prano. Please. Thank you, your

[59:08] worship. Just a quick question through you to Staff. So

[59:12] we now have this list. It's Exland. I agree with

[59:15] everything that the last two councillors have said. I'm just

[59:18] wondering, do Staff stay in touch with the different, um,

[59:22] associations so that they know what's happening. And when some

[59:26] of these things are checked off, do they hear back

[59:28] to the neighbourhood associations? How does that work. Three worship

[59:34] to council Prino. Yes, great question. So there are check

[59:39] - in. So the staff pending council's support for these

[59:46] action items. Um, they can be considered in work plans,

[59:49] budgets. And, uh, staff do check back with neighbourhood associations

[59:55] and date on the status. Of the items and in

[1:00:01] preparation for March 2027 would be a report on the

[1:00:07] program that's provided as well. A progress report update in

[1:00:12] advance of the, uh, 2027, the next year's engagement event

[1:00:18] with neighbourhood associations. So we do check in on specific

[1:00:22] projects, um, and some of them require, you know, meetings

[1:00:26] with neighbourhood associations as well. And then there is an

[1:00:28] update status update prior to the next engagement event next

[1:00:33] year. Okay. Great. Thank you so much. Thank you. There's

[1:00:37] no further discussion or questions. Although is in favor. And

[1:00:41] any opposed none motion carries. On to F prezoning for

[1:00:45] social housing, Mr. Holm again, please. Thank you, your worship.

[1:00:49] I won't say too much here. I'm going to, this

[1:00:51] is an important project. I know council has been anticipating

[1:00:54] this and I'll turn it over to Ms. Beegan to

[1:00:58] give you an overview of where we're at with this.

[1:00:59] Thanks. Is being a good evening. Welcome. Good evening Mayor

[1:01:03] Council. So before I begin, I just want to remind

[1:01:06] everybody what we mean by social housing because that is

[1:01:09] commonly. The first question I get when I speak about

[1:01:11] this project. And so social housing is a housing for

[1:01:15] everybody. And it is intended to be subsidized to be

[1:01:18] lower than the average cost of market housing. And it

[1:01:21] does not include supportive housing and shelters. Uh, so, uh,

[1:01:27] council recalls, we presented in January of this year at

[1:01:30] draft framework. We went out in March or February and

[1:01:33] March to seek feedback on that draft framework, uh, we

[1:01:37] used a variety of outreach tools, including a video on

[1:01:40] social media to get the word out. And we held

[1:01:43] survey workshops as well as, uh, presentation dispatch on interest

[1:01:47] groups to receive feedback. Cumulative, we heard 740 inputs, uh,

[1:01:53] that have been summarized in the what we heard engagement

[1:01:55] summary. Um, and if you look through that report, we

[1:01:57] received a mix of support, uh, for some of the

[1:02:00] various elements that we were proposing. Um, and very constructive

[1:02:03] feedback, uh, we recommend perhaps looking expanding into the future

[1:02:08] with this program. So based on the engagement results, we

[1:02:11] did amend the original approach, uh, to address some of

[1:02:14] the concerns raised. And we are proposing a zoning amendment

[1:02:18] bylaw, uh, with which includes a social housing zone that

[1:02:22] is optional and allows for an increase in height and

[1:02:24] density, if a set of conditions are met. So I

[1:02:30] just want to go through a few of the things

[1:02:31] that were amended and to address some of the concerns

[1:02:34] that council had mentioned in January. So, uh, we're recommending

[1:02:38] about seven percent of all parcels in the city be

[1:02:41] pre - zoned or be called eligible parcels for this

[1:02:44] optional zone. Heritage properties listed in city plan. Our official

[1:02:49] community plan have been excluded to address concerns raised by

[1:02:52] council and the community. A height limit of six stories

[1:02:56] has also been placed for the majority of the primary

[1:02:58] urban centre, also known as our downtown, to align with

[1:03:01] the downtown area plan policies. We also heard regarding the

[1:03:06] tenure limiting it to rental. Um, there was a desire

[1:03:09] to include both rental and ownership. However, as we mentioned

[1:03:13] in January, um, ownership, um, is very challenging and resource

[1:03:17] intensive to establish, manage and enforce. Ownership qualification criteria, uh,

[1:03:24] rental and specifically non - market rentals also provincial housing

[1:03:27] target, uh, priority. Uh, we also address concerns around a

[1:03:32] hundred percent of the Capitol costs having to come from

[1:03:35] some level of government, uh, and we heard that that

[1:03:38] is too restrictive. So we opened that up to be

[1:03:41] more flexible. And lastly, we did undertake architectural testing to

[1:03:47] ensure that the social housing zone is drafted in a

[1:03:50] way that is in line with city plan policies. So

[1:03:54] in conclusion, it is recommended that council proceed with first

[1:03:57] and second reading of a zoning amendment bylaw, uh, number

[1:04:00] 4, 500 256, which is a social housing zone. And

[1:04:04] that, uh, if that moves forward, that we would move

[1:04:06] forward to public hearing. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[1:04:10] Any questions, Councillor Armstrong? Thank you. I just wanted to

[1:04:12] thank you for the report. It came to the accessibility

[1:04:15] committee and it was really appreciated, learned a lot from

[1:04:17] it. I think this will help us get stuff up

[1:04:20] a lot faster and eliminate a lot of costs. So

[1:04:23] I think it's a great report and a great idea.

[1:04:25] Thank you. I concur. Thank you, worship. Yeah. I completely

[1:04:30] agree with Councillor Hennons. I am curious, however, the, pardon

[1:04:34] me. I agree with myself. Um, oh gosh. Hello Monday.

[1:04:41] Um, the survey and the workshop data are remarkably different.

[1:04:46] So the capital cost 41 percent that they strongly agree

[1:04:52] that it should be fully funded by government. But the

[1:04:54] workshop is one hundred percent disagree. So what's the variation

[1:04:58] there? Were we targeting developers in the workshop and residents

[1:05:02] in the survey. Uh, through the MayorT Councillor Hemons. Yes,

[1:05:07] the workshop was held specifically with nonprofit housing providers. For

[1:05:11] profit housing providers and faith - based organisations because they

[1:05:14] have experience, uh, with, uh, providing social housing in an

[1:05:19] NINIMO as well as supportive and shelters. And so it

[1:05:22] was directly engagement with them, um, on these topics. Okay.

[1:05:26] Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Geselbroch. Thanks. Just a question

[1:05:33] on the. Barrier, the limit for affordability. We landed on

[1:05:42] 20 percent below market. And the range was 10 percent.

[1:05:48] And I guess, um, if we look at average CMHC

[1:05:53] housing costs, For a lot of people like low in

[1:06:00] the low income bracket, it's still going to be unaffordable.

[1:06:02] Uh, so it doesn't seem to me like it quite

[1:06:05] meets the mark in that sense. And I'm curious, um,

[1:06:09] one, using the average CMHC rent for NaNIMO as the

[1:06:14] benchmark. And then just going 20 percent below the average

[1:06:17] as opposed to like the low end. Because if we're

[1:06:20] doing average rent and say it's like 1800 dollars and

[1:06:24] going 20 percent while it's going to be like, you

[1:06:26] know, 1, 400 and that's still, you know, the limit

[1:06:29] of price range for like quite a lot of people.

[1:06:31] So, uh, yeah. So many of you could speak to

[1:06:36] that. Yeah. Through the mayor to, uh, councillor Gesselbrock, we

[1:06:40] heard from the community, a desire for upwards of 30

[1:06:45] percent or more, We heard from the developers a desire

[1:06:48] for 10 percent or less. And we heard from the,

[1:06:51] uh, nonprofit housing provider is somewhere between 15 to 25

[1:06:56] percent We use the average market rent per CMHC because

[1:07:01] that aligns with the new DCC reduction definition, uh, that

[1:07:06] council looked at recently. And so we did ensure there

[1:07:08] was alignment there. Um, in terms of the level of

[1:07:11] affordability, um, it's a starting point. And it gives us

[1:07:16] an opportunity to amend it if we're seeing that it's

[1:07:18] not, um, affordable, but we also have to make sure

[1:07:21] that, um, it is financially viable for development to come

[1:07:24] forward. And so it's a recommendation right now that we

[1:07:27] start at 20 percent below market and then see how

[1:07:30] the program progresses over time. Right. Okay. Yeah. And I

[1:07:34] guess the concern, you know, just looking at the different

[1:07:38] needs to make it, you know, actually affordable for low,

[1:07:42] medium income. And it does require, you know, building innovation,

[1:07:46] the cheaper financing and the removing some of these barriers.

[1:07:49] And so I think what we could see, and maybe

[1:07:53] it is just a matter of like sit back and

[1:07:55] see what happened. But I am concerned that we'll pre

[1:07:57] - zone a bunch of properties and get something that

[1:08:00] really isn't that affordable for the actual demographics we're trying

[1:08:03] to hit. So I just want to flag that as

[1:08:06] a, as a concern, um, and also I want to

[1:08:10] see something get done, um, and put forward and supportable

[1:08:14] and then adjust as we need to, as a strategy.

[1:08:17] But, uh, I do hold some serious reservations about the

[1:08:21] bar that was set there at the 20 percent. Thank

[1:08:23] you. Mr. Holmes, did you want to say something in

[1:08:31] response? Uh, sure. Thank you, your worship. Maybe I'll just

[1:08:33] add, uh, to a bit of context. So we did

[1:08:36] hear from, uh, we do hear from a number of

[1:08:39] the nonprofit housing providers as well, and from BC Housing

[1:08:45] that often now, they're looking to, um, is maybe even

[1:08:51] more than what we're going to see in some of

[1:08:53] the BC housing projects that are coming forward. But we

[1:08:55] do see that they're targeting low end of market. Housing

[1:09:00] as well. So they have to, um, the viability, uh,

[1:09:04] issue, uh, if they, um, if they go too low,

[1:09:09] but actually over time, the idea is over time. And

[1:09:12] if we held, um, if public housing had been developed

[1:09:15] continuously developed through the 90s, early 2000s, um, it would,

[1:09:21] it would be held. You're not going to see the

[1:09:22] same rate rental rate increases as we've seen in the,

[1:09:25] in the private sector housing. So if, if nonprofit, um,

[1:09:31] holders do bring more to the table, even though it's,

[1:09:33] um, like you say, it's maybe not deeply affordable. Um.

[1:09:37] You know, based on current rents, you won't see the

[1:09:41] idea, part of the idea is you won't see the

[1:09:43] rents increase. As greatly as we've seen in the, um,

[1:09:46] in the market rental over time. Uh, so over time,

[1:09:49] we'll see the idea is we'll see a greater pool

[1:09:52] of non - market housing that's going to have, um,

[1:09:57] more gradual renting creases. Um, that's in line with the

[1:10:00] nonprofits mandates, um, so that's one of the things that

[1:10:03] we did here from some of the participants. I just

[1:10:08] thought I'd add that. Thanks. Thanks. Thank you, Councillor Manley.

[1:10:13] Thank you, Mayor. And through to you. Thank you for

[1:10:15] the report and for the, for the work. This applies

[1:10:20] mainly to future or for the, um, secondary urban cores,

[1:10:24] the urban core and corridors. Does it apply to the

[1:10:28] neighbourhood corridors or any other areas that we're for story

[1:10:33] buildings. Gonna be okay. Uh, through the mayor to councillor

[1:10:39] Manly, currently the scope includes primary centre, which is downtown.

[1:10:45] The seven secondary urban centres makes use quarter in urban,

[1:10:48] or sorry, and residential corridor. It will exclude the neighbourhood

[1:10:51] designation, the suburban neighbourhood designation and any other designation at

[1:10:55] this time. We're focusing where we have the higher, um,

[1:10:58] higher density and height options to make the projects viable.

[1:11:03] And where the good solid transit routes? Correct. Near transit

[1:11:07] routes and services and amenities. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:11:13] Councillor Him and please. Thank you. I move it at

[1:11:20] zoning amendment by law 2026. Number four five zero zero

[1:11:24] point two five six social housing zone past first reading.

[1:11:27] Secretary Council Eastmare. All those in favor. And getting opposed

[1:11:32] on motion carries. I move that the bylaw pass second

[1:11:35] reading. Second did Councillor Manley. All those in favor. Any

[1:11:41] opposed. Sorry, Councillor Gesselbrock. Thanks. Um, Mayor. Through you, I

[1:11:48] just wanted to say that, um, I do think that

[1:11:50] the prezoning for social housing makes a lot of sense.

[1:11:53] Um, I think it's important that we do reduce barriers

[1:11:56] to getting the much needed affordable housing built in the

[1:11:58] community. And it is one piece of a very multi

[1:12:01] - piece puzzle that can help. I will support this.

[1:12:06] I do want to recognise that I do have some

[1:12:08] reservations about the twenty percent threshold being set and we'll

[1:12:12] be watching this closely to see the uptake. And if

[1:12:14] it needs to be adjusted. So thank you. Thank you,

[1:12:18] Councillor Manley. Thank you. I'm very supportive as well. Anything

[1:12:22] that we can do to accelerate affordable housing in the

[1:12:25] community is important. And so looking forward to seeing this

[1:12:30] quote of a public hearing. Thanks. Thank you. Any further

[1:12:34] discussion, all those in favor and any opposed on motion

[1:12:38] carries. Thank you very much. The next is 13 development

[1:12:42] reports. And a development variance permit application. Number DVP. You

[1:12:48] were reading two third reading. Sorry. Pardon me. I'm rushing.

[1:12:53] Calhastron Heaven's through the time. Uh, I moved that council

[1:12:56] direct staff to hold a public hearing for zoning amendment

[1:12:58] by law 2026. Number four five zero zero point two

[1:13:02] five six. Second of councillor Thorpe, all those in favor,

[1:13:06] any opposed on motion carries. Now we're on to development

[1:13:09] variance, pyramid application number. DVP491 - 202 and 2104 Street.

[1:13:15] I'm going to declare a conflict. I know the family

[1:13:18] involved very well. And I just don't feel it would

[1:13:20] be right for me to deal with this matter. Accordingly,

[1:13:23] I'll turn the chair over to Councillor Hemins.

[1:13:38] And I will turn it over to staff for a

[1:13:40] staff report, please. Madam Chair, there usually isn't any introductions

[1:13:46] for the development reports, but you are, um, going to

[1:13:51] request, um, anyone wishing to speak to this matter come

[1:13:53] up. Thank you. Is there anyone in the audience wishing

[1:13:56] to speak to this matter. I see none. With someone

[1:14:03] care to make the recommended motion. Councillor Easmir, seconded by

[1:14:09] Councillor Armstrong. Any discussion. Seeing none, all those in favor.

[1:14:14] Opposed. I see none opposed.

[1:14:34] The next is item 12, 13B rather. Development permit application.

[1:14:39] Number DP1357 - 5180 Universal Place. There is a recommended

[1:14:47] motion. So moved, Councillor Manley is a secondary councillor Hennons.

[1:14:56] Any discussion. Councillor Armstrong and Councillor Gesselbrock. Yeah, I just,

[1:15:03] um, I have some concerns about this for the simple

[1:15:05] fact. We already have so many issues on Lost Lake.

[1:15:08] Is that road going to be able to take the

[1:15:10] added traffic? Was that look that I know it probably

[1:15:12] doesn't require a traffic study. But, you know, we're getting

[1:15:15] constant complaints about how narrow it is. There's no sidewalks.

[1:15:19] There's so many issues. Will that put an added issue

[1:15:23] on it? Or can it move off to another road

[1:15:25] that I'm missing? Mr. Holm, thank you three worship to

[1:15:35] Councillor Armstrong. So you correct it. The development didn't meet

[1:15:40] the threshold to trigger traffic impact assessment. Um, and, uh,

[1:15:46] anticip, we do anticipate that, uh, there will be additional

[1:15:51] parking obviously on, uh, universal place. Sorry, I can't hear

[1:15:55] you. Thank you. Yeah. Sorry. The development did not, you

[1:16:00] correct the development did not trigger the threshold to require

[1:16:02] traffic impact assessment. And, uh, we do anticipate additional, um,

[1:16:10] on street parking on universal place. Um, as well. I

[1:16:14] don't know how far, I mean, it'll be, um, difficult

[1:16:20] to predict, but I don't know how your rate lost

[1:16:22] Lake Road is, you know, challenging with respect to on

[1:16:27] street parking. I don't know how far. From the development

[1:16:32] people would be, I guess it would be a behavioral

[1:16:35] thing that how far from the development they'd be willing

[1:16:37] to park and walk. The developer did provide, um, is

[1:16:42] proposing to provide additional. Opportunity for bicycle parking as well

[1:16:48] on site. And, uh, and supports for alternative transportation. It

[1:16:55] is well, as it's a, um, co - housing development

[1:16:58] and they anticipate the vehicle usage in behaviour will be

[1:17:05] different than a typical market development and they anticipate that

[1:17:09] they're providing sufficient parking to, uh, to meet the needs.

[1:17:14] And just one other question, if I may, um, with

[1:17:16] the removal of all those trees seen as it is

[1:17:18] steep slopal, that have a big impact on slope stability.

[1:17:24] Uh, they will, um, through your worship council Armstrong. So

[1:17:28] they will, um, undertake appropriate geotechnical assessments to ensure that

[1:17:33] slope stability is retained. Um, and, uh, yeah, it is

[1:17:37] a steep site and they do anticipate a fair amount

[1:17:41] of sight grading. And they've designed the buildings to help

[1:17:45] to achieve some of the site grading as well. So.

[1:17:48] Thank you. Thank you, Councillor GesabRaktin Council Spear. Thanks, Mayor,

[1:17:53] through you. I'm very insupportive this rezoning. We've kind of

[1:17:58] tracking the process of getting into this place. And the

[1:18:02] co - housing model is a really interesting one. And

[1:18:04] I, and I know the folks behind this will be

[1:18:06] really focusing on livability and making this a really great

[1:18:09] place to live. And so I'm happy to see that

[1:18:12] it's made it this far. And, uh, wish all the

[1:18:14] luck to the folks behind this project. Thank you. Thank

[1:18:17] you, Councillor Schmir. Thank you. Um, I wanted to speak

[1:18:24] in support of this, um, because I think the co

[1:18:27] - housing model is one that people are looking for.

[1:18:30] It gives an avenue into the ownership market for people

[1:18:35] who are sometimes not able to access it. Otherwise. And

[1:18:40] the unit types with like the three bedroom townhouses, um,

[1:18:44] it includes five of those nine two bedroom townhouses. And

[1:18:47] then it also in the one and two bedroom apartments

[1:18:50] for our accessible in the one bedroom and two are

[1:18:53] accessible in the two bedrooms. So I think that's, um,

[1:18:56] that's a really important aspect here because it's a type

[1:18:59] of housing that we do need. And I remember it

[1:19:03] coming through Design Panel and the Design panel was pretty

[1:19:06] supportive of this. They did make some recommendations. And as

[1:19:09] a result, um, a few tweaks have been made, including

[1:19:12] adding some more trees. So I'm appreciative of the design

[1:19:17] panels work on this. And we'll be voting in support

[1:19:21] of this. But I do hear the concerns about the

[1:19:25] increased traffic and loss Lake Road. And I, um, remain

[1:19:29] committed to trying to do what we can to slow

[1:19:32] traffic along Las Lake Road and to make it a

[1:19:35] safer experience for pedestrian. So I would support any future

[1:19:40] traffic calming and pedestrian improvements along loss Lake Road. Thank

[1:19:44] you, Councillor Manley. Thank you through your mayor. Um, I

[1:19:49] am very supportive of this as well. I think the

[1:19:51] co - housing model is very interesting community building model

[1:19:56] and the co - housing Pacific Gardens co - housing

[1:19:59] community on 7th. This has been very successful. And I,

[1:20:02] I know, um, they have less parking spaces there as

[1:20:05] well, but also co - op car. Andy, uh, which

[1:20:09] is well used. And, um, it's a real community building

[1:20:14] projects. So I think, uh, I wish them all the

[1:20:18] success from getting this done. Thanks. Thank you very much.

[1:20:24] Any further questions, comments. Yes. Council Thirt. Thank you, your

[1:20:31] worship. I'm sorry, but I can't resist. Um, I support

[1:20:33] this project and I will vote in favor of it.

[1:20:35] But I, I have to express my, my ongoing concern

[1:20:39] about parking variations. And we saw it in the last

[1:20:42] proposal that we just passed. And I voted for. We

[1:20:45] see it in this proposal where the variation, uh, goes

[1:20:49] from 50 to 39 parking spaces. And the staff report

[1:20:53] even notes that, uh, this may result in spillover parking

[1:20:57] on the surrounding neighbourhood. We're doing this more and more.

[1:21:00] And we're just putting more cars parked on neighbourhood roads,

[1:21:04] which causes other problems. Uh, in this case, it's 29

[1:21:08] units. Um, and there's only allowance for three visitor parking

[1:21:13] spaces. On the other hand, we have 29 spaces for

[1:21:17] secure bike parking. Again, this is great in theory. I

[1:21:20] don't think it reflects the reality of transportation patterns or

[1:21:25] parking problems in the city. So I will support the

[1:21:28] project, but I'm really discouraged by this ongoing, not ignoring,

[1:21:37] but varying of parking. Thank you. Thank you. And further.

[1:21:49] It's great. Did we move the motion? We've been chatting

[1:21:51] so long. Oh good. It's on the floor. All those

[1:21:54] in favor. And any opposed, none motion carries. Uh, the

[1:21:59] next is C liquor license amendment application number LA159 -

[1:22:03] 240 Skinner Street. We do have a delegation. Carl Butterworth,

[1:22:10] director Harbour Dan Studios Inc. Mr. Butterworth. Good evening. If

[1:22:15] you can introduce yourself for the record, you'll have five

[1:22:18] minutes. And when the minute left, I'll let you know.

[1:22:20] Good evening. Thank you, your worship. Um, and perhaps I

[1:22:23] can introduce myself through my speech that I've cared for

[1:22:25] written out. And I won't require the one Morning. Thank

[1:22:27] you very much. Your worship councillor, city staff. Thank you

[1:22:31] for the opportunity to speak. I'm Carl Butterworth. My wife,

[1:22:34] Stacey and I own Harbordant Studios. We've been a little

[1:22:37] literal cornerstone of the arts district for 37 years. With

[1:22:41] an enrollment of 350 students, we bring approximately 300 families

[1:22:44] downtown several times each week. We are in anchor business

[1:22:47] and many businesses state that our clients are a significant

[1:22:50] factor in their success. We operate from 9 a. m.

[1:22:53] until 9. 30 p. m. Monday to Friday and 9

[1:22:55] a. m. until 6 p. m. on Saturday and Sunday.

[1:22:58] 30 years of continuous operation means that we predate all

[1:23:02] downtown clubs except the Palace Hotel. Noting have we earned

[1:23:06] the right to be where we are. We make downtown

[1:23:08] a brighter, more diverse, and a friendlier place. Five minutes

[1:23:12] is not enough time to relate all of the negative

[1:23:14] impacts the sweet spot lounge has had on our business

[1:23:16] since switching to strippers in February. Increasing the hours during

[1:23:19] which the sweet spot lounge can serve alcohol will further

[1:23:22] damage our business and the reputation of downtown than IMO.

[1:23:25] The proponent has stated that he will use the increased

[1:23:28] hours for a sports bar and special events. We can

[1:23:30] all guess what the special events will be as the

[1:23:33] interior has been purpose renovated to accommodate only one kind

[1:23:35] of event. In my discussions with the proponent, he stated

[1:23:39] that he couldn't keep operating as a karaoke club because

[1:23:41] people came in ordered water and sat there all night.

[1:23:45] As a result, he was so desperate to make money

[1:23:47] that he convinced himself that it was okay to open

[1:23:49] a strip club next to a children's school. If a

[1:23:52] strip show at noon afternoon evening and nighttime is what

[1:23:55] makes money, that is what he will do. That is

[1:23:58] what he has done so far. To believe that he

[1:24:00] will operate a sports bar from 11 a. m. until

[1:24:03] 7 p. m. is naive at best. I should point

[1:24:05] out to counsel that the old city station pub is

[1:24:08] an actual sports bar that is open from 11 a.

[1:24:10] m. until 2 a. m. and is one block away

[1:24:12] from the proponent's location. The palace hotels alcohol from 11

[1:24:16] a. m. to 2 a. m. and is located 30

[1:24:18] feet from the proponent's location. Creeding even more daytime opportunities

[1:24:22] to serve alcohol will not improve the vibrancy of downtown

[1:24:25] as city staff characterizes it in the report. It will

[1:24:28] cause more conflicts. I have serious concerns with the report

[1:24:32] produced by city staff. The public notice and comment sheets

[1:24:35] circulated by staff says the city is quote responsible for

[1:24:39] gathering the views of local residents and business owners. Nowhere

[1:24:42] on the forum does it state that the city will

[1:24:43] only use feedback from entities located within a hundred metres

[1:24:46] of the subject property. Staff stated that seven feedback forms

[1:24:50] were received from within the arbitrary 100 metre radius and

[1:24:53] 175 were received from outside of it. To change the

[1:24:56] rules after the consultation this process has been concluded represents

[1:25:00] a breach of procedural fairness by ignoring the results of

[1:25:02] feedback it's solicited which was provided in good faith. This

[1:25:06] also represents a failure to consider relevant considerations by deliberately

[1:25:09] limiting the information given to decision makers. I believe is

[1:25:13] incumbent on council to discard this report. I say this

[1:25:16] because some of the forms receive were simply comments, but

[1:25:19] many of the sheets are better described as victim impact

[1:25:21] statements. I will bring up one example. One of our

[1:25:24] clients was leaving the dance studio where their children. As

[1:25:27] she walked past our parking lot she and her two

[1:25:29] children heard a group of men smoking outside the club

[1:25:31] comparing the vaginas of different strippers. Who doesn't like a

[1:25:34] good vagina was part of the commentary. If you don't

[1:25:37] like hearing the word vagina in council proceedings, imagine the

[1:25:40] level of discomfort where you're a mother on her own

[1:25:42] at night walking past a group of men who clearly

[1:25:45] have little respect for women. Then imagine trying to explain

[1:25:48] the situation to your daughters who are eight and ten.

[1:25:51] The people whose comment city staff have ignored spend between

[1:25:54] two and twenty five hours downtown at our DANS studio

[1:25:56] each week. That's more time than many part - time

[1:25:59] employees in the surrounding businesses. Their comments deserve to be

[1:26:02] considered. And once again, five minutes is not long enough

[1:26:05] to describe all of the negative impact. The Nine was

[1:26:07] official community plan asks the question, what does a healthy

[1:26:10] Nanaimo look like in a neighbourhood? It follows with seven

[1:26:13] aspirational statements that achieve a healthy NNIMO. Four of these

[1:26:18] statements are. A caring, healthy, accessible, inclusive, and safe community

[1:26:23] that empowers its community members to realise their aspirations. A

[1:26:27] high degree of perceived an actual public safety and security

[1:26:29] where all people can equitably live, work, play, create and

[1:26:33] learn. A safe down. A safe downtown with less instances

[1:26:38] of people encountering negative experiences in downtown and throughout the

[1:26:41] community. Safe and security in all parts of the city

[1:26:44] supporting a diverse community members and businesses to thrive. Council,

[1:26:48] I ask you, how does extending the hours during which

[1:26:51] a strip club can serve alcohol reduce the number of

[1:26:53] negative experiences people have downtown. I was increasing the amount

[1:26:57] of time per day that women are degraded and exploited

[1:26:59] for profit create a healthier Nanaimo. How does more daytime

[1:27:03] intoxication in the arts district improve safety and security. How

[1:27:06] does the removal of a business like ours create a

[1:27:08] more diverse community of businesses downtown. It is bad enough

[1:27:11] that a Nimo is now known across Canada for having

[1:27:13] strip club and extra children's school. We beg you not

[1:27:16] to compound this problem. Please do not approve the extension

[1:27:19] for the liquor license to this club. Thank you for

[1:27:21] your consideration. Thank you. Councillor Manley. Uh, thank you. Thank

[1:27:26] you for your presentation. Um, have you had neighbours like

[1:27:29] this in the past? Was there a club like this

[1:27:32] in the, um, below the painted turtle. There was not

[1:27:38] in the last 37 years. We've had the club concept

[1:27:41] where this club is now operating before that there wasn't

[1:27:43] a club there that I'm aware of. Uh, we'll always

[1:27:46] have club two for one slash club concept slash the

[1:27:49] jungle and the POS hotel. But in the painted turtle

[1:27:53] was her, was there, there was a gambling facility there.

[1:27:57] Was there a script club there at one point? Does

[1:27:59] anybody know. There was an off racetrack horse betting thing

[1:28:03] there when I came here? Okay. Yeah, I'm just curious.

[1:28:09] Thank you for your presentation. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor

[1:28:13] Smear. Thank you. So just to. Clarify in the

[1:28:22] report, it says that they're asking for the extended hours

[1:28:25] to have a sports bar and potential events during that,

[1:28:30] uh, those earlier hours. It doesn't give you any sense

[1:28:34] of, um, more confidence that it wouldn't be like, let's

[1:28:39] call them the nighttime activities that happen at that club.

[1:28:42] And it's more like the sports bar oriented thing during

[1:28:44] the day. Having worked with the proponent tried to find

[1:28:47] a way forward on this. No, I don't believe that

[1:28:49] what he is saying is what will happen in fact.

[1:28:51] However, we don't know that until that goes forward. I

[1:28:54] know that we come into considerable conflict with their patrons

[1:28:57] and their staff over use of our parking lot, which

[1:28:59] they're using abuse that they're willing. I know if they

[1:29:01] start earlier in the day, that means our staff who

[1:29:04] are all female will be struggling to find parking at

[1:29:06] our building and we'll have to part further away and

[1:29:09] walk into work, not being able to get parking at

[1:29:11] their own place of work. So you have a, you

[1:29:13] have a shared parking lot or it's just the, we

[1:29:15] own the parking lot entirely and they use it at

[1:29:17] their own discretion. We struggled because if we start towing

[1:29:20] people, then as drunk come out of the club, find

[1:29:23] their car towed, then I'm getting rocks through the back

[1:29:25] of my building and all the windows, which are three

[1:29:27] thousand dollars of peace. So I am loath to toe

[1:29:31] cars when I know I'm going to experience the negative

[1:29:33] low back from drunk people. Okay, appreciate you sharing your

[1:29:37] experience. And I'm sorry you're experiencing this. Thank you. Thank

[1:29:39] you. I appreciate that. Cal Ceprino. Uh, thank you, your

[1:29:47] worship and thank you to the speaker this, um, your

[1:29:50] presentation was excellent. I'm just wondering you had talked about

[1:29:53] a couple of the other establishments that, you know, serve

[1:29:56] food and alcohol and they're open from the 11 to

[1:29:59] the 2 a. m. Do you experience any problems with

[1:30:02] them for your business. We do councillor, but it's been

[1:30:07] 37 years. We're quite used to it. I clean up

[1:30:11] puke feces. Urine needles, um, all sorts of stuff on

[1:30:16] a regular basis. Yes. However, we are downtown and we

[1:30:19] appreciate that. And there is, you know, there's a certain

[1:30:22] amount of being downtown. This is what we put up

[1:30:23] with. And the clients who come to us are used

[1:30:25] to that. So that hasn't been an impediment in the

[1:30:27] past. With the specific nature of this business with its

[1:30:31] conflict with a school that has been an ongoing issue.

[1:30:34] And honestly, the other bars employee professionals in terms of

[1:30:38] bouncers and other staff, we're able to control their patrons

[1:30:40] to a much higher degree. Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you

[1:30:44] so much. I appreciate that. And your worship when it

[1:30:46] comes time for Staff, I have some questions for staff

[1:30:49] if possible. Thank you. Thank you. Um, Mr. Butterworth, a

[1:30:53] couple of questions. The entrance to the dance school is

[1:30:56] off Bastion, is that correct? When entrance is off of

[1:31:00] Bastion and one is through our parking lot sir. We're

[1:31:03] parking lot. But you said the parking lot is for

[1:31:05] staff use. Yes. First half of a Harbour Dance Studios.

[1:31:08] Okay. So the general public though is entering off Bastion.

[1:31:12] I just want to be clear here and try and

[1:31:13] understand it. We have two entrances. So Bastion Street is

[1:31:17] where about 80 percent of our clientele going through. We

[1:31:20] have a lower studio in the basement that you require

[1:31:22] to go around the building into the parking lot and

[1:31:24] then enter into that through that area. Okay. So we

[1:31:26] do have clients of all ages from six, I think

[1:31:30] at the youngest up to 20 at the oldest plus

[1:31:33] centre adult classes who are all ages who go in

[1:31:35] through the parking lot entrance. And I say this and

[1:31:39] I want to emphasize not as a patron, but, um,

[1:31:42] old enough to remember that, uh, the flat roof building

[1:31:46] beside the palisatel was the office, la office of gear,

[1:31:49] rear Morton and spruel, as I recall. And that operated

[1:31:52] as a strip club for his number of years too

[1:31:55] during your tenure. Is that correct and fair. The one

[1:31:59] that's across the road, this now club evolve. Yes. When

[1:32:03] we first purchased the studio, it was still a jungle.

[1:32:06] Thank you. Um, and look, I'm going to ask you,

[1:32:10] you said it would take a long time to discuss

[1:32:12] them, but, but what other kinds of incidents are you

[1:32:15] referring to when you say that it's been very, uh,

[1:32:17] challenging for you. Um, we've had two incidents. We have

[1:32:22] a fence that protects the backstairs into our building on

[1:32:26] two incidents now. That's been knocked down by cars. The

[1:32:28] second one was by a drunk driver. Fortunately, there was

[1:32:30] a witness to that one who reported that a person

[1:32:33] came out of the club. Had parked their truck in

[1:32:36] our parking lot backed up, hit our fence and then

[1:32:38] drove away in a very erratic manner. Uh, that was

[1:32:40] reported to police, thankfully. The person was charged with leaving

[1:32:43] the scene of an accident, but was not able to

[1:32:44] be charged with impair driving. I have a video camera

[1:32:48] on the back parking lot. I regularly see patrons come

[1:32:50] out of the sweet spot going to our parking lot,

[1:32:53] go to our dumpster pee on the dumpster and go

[1:32:55] back with the bouncers watching them. Um, we had our

[1:32:58] neighbour who owns the park and block. Had an escort

[1:33:02] agency tried to set up in their business about two

[1:33:04] months after this club had opened. I don't suggest that

[1:33:07] had anything to do specifically with the people from the

[1:33:09] club. However, one kind of business draws in other kind

[1:33:12] of business. We were very, very thankful that she turned

[1:33:15] that down much to her own financial detriment. Um, the

[1:33:19] emotional impact to our clients. I related one story, but

[1:33:21] those impact reports, the surveys you got back, I would

[1:33:24] welcome you to read them. There are many more in

[1:33:26] there. Um, our problem is that we're looking at having

[1:33:29] to fence our parking lot as a minimum and that's

[1:33:31] 50, 000 dollars and really nobody's making a lot of

[1:33:33] money teaching children how to dance. So that's an incredible

[1:33:35] financial burden for us to bear. The garbage and waste

[1:33:40] our property has always been a problem. It's gone up

[1:33:41] a little bit. Um, but it's not in the thing,

[1:33:44] anything that's not unutil. Thank you very much. I'm not

[1:33:50] seeing any other questions. Crown Soprino again. Yes, please. Thank

[1:33:54] you. You worship a couple of questions for staff. My

[1:33:57] understanding is that Council Brino, if may I let the

[1:34:01] delegation sit down then? Oh, yes. Yes. Sorry you worship.

[1:34:04] Thank you Mr. Butterworth. Appreciate your time. Counselprino. Sorry you

[1:34:09] worship a question. A question to staff. If I might,

[1:34:13] I'm just wondering my understanding is, is that, um, the

[1:34:18] proponent is asking for the hours of course to switch

[1:34:20] from 7 PMs to start time to 11 AM start

[1:34:24] time. Is, is that, are they asking, um, or I'm

[1:34:29] saying it incorrectly, would they be allowing exotic dancers from

[1:34:33] as early as 11 a. m. on as far as

[1:34:35] we know or is that just for the evening hours.

[1:34:40] Mr. Holm, thank you through your, uh, worship to Councillor

[1:34:44] Prino. That's not their stated intent, although the use, the

[1:34:50] adult entertainment use is permitted anywhere, uh, nightclub is permitted,

[1:34:56] which this is operating as. So this is, uh, a

[1:35:01] permitted use on the property. What we're being councils being

[1:35:05] asked to consider is a, um, expansion of the liquor

[1:35:09] service hours. And that's a requirement of the province for

[1:35:14] council to consider, uh, input from the community and provide

[1:35:18] comment on the, um, expansion of ours to the liquor

[1:35:21] primary license. So I know, um, the challenge with the,

[1:35:26] uh, some of the concerns in the community. You know,

[1:35:29] it's understandable, um, related to the adult entertainment use, but

[1:35:33] it is a, uh, it's a metic. It is a

[1:35:37] permitted use. And what's being asked, uh, expansion of the

[1:35:40] liquor service hours, uh, not, not explicitly the expansion of

[1:35:45] the adult injurtainment use. It's really a separate issue. But

[1:35:49] I can understand the concern. And so the, the application

[1:35:52] was reviewed. In accordance with the, um, city's liquor license

[1:35:58] review policy. Council is established as well as the liquor

[1:36:02] control and licensing act, the requirements of the province. And

[1:36:06] in council's liquor license review policy, there's a requirement to

[1:36:11] provide notice within 100 metres. Um, provide a 30 day

[1:36:16] comment period. Although, um, notices the report, the staff report

[1:36:24] speaks to 180 comments, 182 comment sheets being provided. It

[1:36:30] does include all of the comment sheets provided. Um, it

[1:36:34] just breaks down that, um, seven of those were from

[1:36:38] within the 100 metre notification area. Whereas 175 were from

[1:36:43] outside the notification area just to clarify that item as

[1:36:46] well. So. Okay. And just, just one more quick question.

[1:36:50] My understanding with the way these applications work is that.

[1:36:53] If we, if we agree and move it forward, then

[1:36:56] it goes on to the government. The government may or

[1:36:59] may not agree to it. Even if we vote against

[1:37:02] it, it may still go to the government and they

[1:37:06] still be passed. Is that correct? Uh, good question. I

[1:37:10] think, I think, um, the liquor control and liquor cannabis

[1:37:15] regulation branch takes council's input strongly. They do hold the

[1:37:19] final decision. But, uh, they do look, um, strongly to

[1:37:25] local government comment as well. Okay. Okay. Thank you very

[1:37:29] much. Thank you, your worship. Thank you, Councillor Thorpe. Thank

[1:37:33] you, worship, through you to staff. If I may, I

[1:37:36] just want to be clear, because I sense that we're,

[1:37:39] we're confusing a couple of different issues here. And one

[1:37:42] of the issues we seem to be talking about is

[1:37:44] the type of club or operation that this is. And

[1:37:47] that's not, that's not under debate. It's a night club.

[1:37:51] It's, it's allowed to be there. It's allowed to have

[1:37:54] adult entertainment. That's not at issue. All we're talking about

[1:37:58] is extension of the hours to serve liquor. From 11

[1:38:03] instead of from 7 p. m. 11 a. m. instead

[1:38:07] of from 7 p. m. So I think we need

[1:38:09] to focus on that and as councillor Perino has indicated,

[1:38:12] even if we indicate support, it still has to go

[1:38:15] to the, uh, liquor and cannabis regulation branch to make

[1:38:20] a determination. To me, most restaurants or clubs, uh, and

[1:38:27] I could stand to be corrected here. But I think

[1:38:29] most do have liquor sales, uh, earlier in the day.

[1:38:33] So I'm, I'm not sure that I see anything compelling

[1:38:37] here to deny this application and to confuse that with

[1:38:42] the type of club it is. Uh, where they're allowed

[1:38:46] to have the entertainment they do. I think is, uh,

[1:38:50] is, um, is not irrelevant, but I don't think it's

[1:38:53] germane to our decision. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Armstrong.

[1:38:57] Thank you. I agree with the comments of Councillor Thorpe.

[1:39:00] We have to recognise it doesn't matter what's in there.

[1:39:03] It's, do we agree with having a liquor license from

[1:39:05] 11 o'clock or do we leave it at seven. Uh,

[1:39:08] I work this area for many, many years back in

[1:39:10] the 90s when there were seven strip clubs in the

[1:39:13] area. No issues. Um, I followed this on Facebook with

[1:39:17] the majority of people in favor of, of the extension

[1:39:20] of the license. And most of them said they're more

[1:39:22] concerned about CNADX and people passed out on the street

[1:39:25] and what they're doing than somebody leaving a place where

[1:39:28] you can't see inside. So I think as Councillor Thorpe

[1:39:31] says you have to remove what's being used there, whether

[1:39:34] it was a restaurant or whether it's a bar, do

[1:39:37] you extend the liquor license? You can't go to what

[1:39:39] the use is. Thank you. Thank you. Council Rear. Thank

[1:39:44] you. Through you just a procedural question. Like there's, I

[1:39:49] believe someone involved with the application in the audience. Usually

[1:39:52] like putting their hand up. And I'm just wondering like

[1:39:53] there was an opportunity to sign up as a delegation.

[1:39:57] So at this point like Ms. Scurry. Yes. You worship

[1:40:03] there was an opportunity to sign up as a delegation.

[1:40:07] Um, so the procedure bylaw doesn't allow speakers from the

[1:40:09] audience. Okay. Yeah. I appreciate that, um, that clarification. Like

[1:40:14] I wish that I could have heard more in response,

[1:40:18] particularly to the first delegation. Um. And so like I

[1:40:27] can't just take comments from the audience and to consideration,

[1:40:32] but I appreciate being here. Like I would say that

[1:40:37] councils received a fair bit of, um. Concern from the

[1:40:41] community about this establishment and whether those concerns are warranted

[1:40:45] or not. Um, I do appreciate hearing from the first

[1:40:49] delegation. And I understand why people have concerns. And I

[1:40:55] think that like the read that I'm getting from the

[1:40:58] community is that the whole lot of like social license

[1:41:01] for this extension. I haven't seen or read very much

[1:41:05] support at all. Um. And I find it a really,

[1:41:10] a really tough one. So I'm appreciating hearing people's comments

[1:41:13] tonight. Thank you. Councillor Gesselbrock. Uh, I'd like to move

[1:41:21] that council deny the application to the liquor cannabis regulation

[1:41:25] branch. Um, well, the motion is that I can't recommend

[1:41:31] that the liquor and license cannabis regulation approve the application

[1:41:35] to amend existing liquor primary license. So I move that

[1:41:38] council recommend that the liquor and cannabis regulation branch deny

[1:41:42] the application to amend an existing liquor primary license to

[1:41:47] foreign entertainment use at 240 Skinner Street. Second. Secretary Councillor

[1:41:53] Brown discussion on this. Yeah. Um, I appreciate the discussion.

[1:41:58] I think, uh, what we need to focus on here

[1:42:00] is that there's a strip club that has been allowed

[1:42:03] because we haven't updated our, uh. Zoning bylaw, um, which

[1:42:11] includes strip clubs to be allowed as part of the

[1:42:15] entertainment district. And it is unfortunately led to a strip

[1:42:19] club be located right beside a children's dance studio. And

[1:42:23] I think we can all appreciate the consternation of the

[1:42:27] many families that utilise this DANSTSDio with their young children

[1:42:30] going through there being co - located by a strip

[1:42:34] club. Uh, there's been a tremendous amount of opposition towards

[1:42:38] this. And I think realising that it is a permitted

[1:42:44] use. There's been a certain level of acceptance that this

[1:42:48] is going to be a strip club operating from seven

[1:42:50] to two o'clock in the morning. Um, around this. Uh,

[1:42:56] however now the request is to allow it to be

[1:43:01] able to serve liquor and operate, um, starting at 11

[1:43:04] o'clock in the morning. And although there may be sports

[1:43:09] entertainment that will be there, uh, this is a strip

[1:43:13] club. And we will be extending the hours where liquor

[1:43:17] is going to be allowed there. And I think that

[1:43:19] it's very unreasonable to do this for multiple reasons. Um,

[1:43:26] you know, some very colourfully outlined by the, uh, delegation

[1:43:30] that spoke. Um, so I think that, um, it is

[1:43:35] responsible to deny this application. Um, and that I do

[1:43:38] think council in the future, um, given that I think

[1:43:41] this is a bit of a social dinosaur. There's only

[1:43:45] two strip clubs left on Vancouver Island. The other in

[1:43:48] Campbell River to look at amending our zoning bylaw. Um,

[1:43:53] so that strip clubs are not allowed in part of

[1:43:56] the entertainment district in the future. So we don't run

[1:43:59] into this ridiculous situation of having a strip club being

[1:44:03] co - located right beside a children's dan studio. Thank

[1:44:06] you. Thank you, Councillor. I'm strong and Councillor Manley. Thank

[1:44:11] you. I won't vote and support. I think the big

[1:44:13] issue that again has said, we can't look at it

[1:44:16] as a strip club because that can change tomorrow. It's

[1:44:18] not a strip club. It's an entertainment. Like we have

[1:44:21] to be really careful with that. And I think because

[1:44:24] this council has approved other ones, whatever. I think we

[1:44:28] wouldn't even last in a court challenge because you can't

[1:44:31] use look at the purpose that it's a strip club.

[1:44:33] This is, can they extend their liquor license? That's all

[1:44:35] it's about. Secondly, strip clubs have been around this community

[1:44:39] for years. Some were gone. They're back. Whatever. I don't

[1:44:42] know what the big issue is because they never see

[1:44:45] the women that are operating in there. We see more

[1:44:48] coming out of some PUBs at night that are with

[1:44:50] drunk people. It doesn't matter whether it be a strip

[1:44:52] club or a regular pub or a restaurant. I've seen

[1:44:54] them come out of that as well. I've seen more

[1:44:56] people pass out on the streets and different acts of

[1:44:59] sexual stuff by some of our homeless people and others

[1:45:02] that are strung out. Then what I'm seeing coming out

[1:45:04] of a strip club, the police have zero issues with

[1:45:06] it. They're quite happy with the performance saying that they've

[1:45:08] got a good neighbourhood agreement, which from their perspective is

[1:45:11] excellence. So when your police are in favor and your

[1:45:14] biology and your staff are, I feel it's incumbent to

[1:45:16] be opposed to this particular motion. I'm in favor of

[1:45:20] extending the license. Thank you, Councillor Manley. I'm in support

[1:45:26] of, um, denying the extended license. I think there's not

[1:45:30] a social license for this. I don't think it's into

[1:45:34] public interest to be having serving liquor in a script

[1:45:38] club, uh, during daytime hours in our downtown. We've been

[1:45:41] working hard on trying to revitalize our downtown space. And

[1:45:47] it's a party zone at night. Let's just keep it

[1:45:49] a party zone at night. Thanks. Thank you. Um, and

[1:45:55] just to confirm, uh, Mr. Holm, uh, the staff report

[1:46:00] provides that out of seven common sheets received from the

[1:46:02] notification area. In other words, other businesses essentially within the

[1:46:06] area. Um, five supported the application and two opposed, correct?

[1:46:14] Yes. Your worship. Thank you. That's correct. And the 175

[1:46:18] submissions were received from outside the notification here. And they

[1:46:20] were all opposed to it. I believe that's true. HDS,

[1:46:28] they were opposed. Yes. That's correct. Thank you. Um, and

[1:46:31] they're all included in attachment B to the report. Your

[1:46:34] worship councillor Brown has his honoraged. Councillor Brown. Thanks for

[1:46:42] worship. Very much like the motion on the floor. Um,

[1:46:45] uh, unlike some of the other comments, though I that

[1:46:49] have been made, I would say it's incorrect to say

[1:46:51] that the type of use camp you looked at, uh,

[1:46:53] part of the, that's very clear the provincial policy on

[1:46:57] what councils can look like. I look at and one

[1:46:59] of them is the impact to the community. Arguably the

[1:47:03] extension of liquor hours for an exotic dancing establishment. Is

[1:47:08] a very different type of proposal than an extension of

[1:47:12] liquor license hours for a restaurant or a pub. Um,

[1:47:16] so I do think it's, uh, well, I can appreciate

[1:47:20] the argument. I actually don't think it's valid because we're,

[1:47:23] we're talking about provincial policy here and the things that

[1:47:25] council can consider. One of them being impacted to the

[1:47:27] community. For those reasons, um, and I think, uh, very

[1:47:30] highlighted by Councillor Guestlebrock, I won't repeat, um, I support

[1:47:34] the motion on the floor and, uh, I think at

[1:47:36] some point in the future, it would be very much,

[1:47:38] uh, wise to change the zoning and do these on

[1:47:41] site suspecific use if a proposal comes forward. Thank you.

[1:47:45] Thank you, Councillor Prino. Uh, thank you, your worship. This

[1:47:50] is difficult. I think, um, councillor Armstrong and councillors both

[1:47:54] made some excellent comments in that. This isn't allowed use

[1:47:58] of the building. And, and I have, I have no

[1:48:00] problem with that. That's, uh, it has been allowed. It's

[1:48:04] fine. I don't have a problem, but I do have

[1:48:06] a problem with it going from 7 p. m. to

[1:48:09] 11 a. m. And I think it's important to note

[1:48:12] that, uh, some of the people who may have sent

[1:48:14] in comments may have been families of, uh, some of

[1:48:17] the children attending the dance school. I certainly know of

[1:48:21] one who's been in touch with me. And they're very

[1:48:23] concerned about their children attending the school. And they love

[1:48:26] the school. So that's not an issue for them. And

[1:48:29] I think it's important that, you know, from school's perspective,

[1:48:34] they're concerned about this, but also from the actual establishment,

[1:48:38] um, that is hosting the strip, they have a right

[1:48:41] as well. So I'm not proposing that I would be

[1:48:44] against, um, necessarily closing them up. You know, or changing

[1:48:50] the zoning necessarily, but I do think that having them

[1:48:53] opened with alcohol at 7 p. m. is certainly early

[1:48:56] enough. And it, um, it, it attracts a different kind

[1:48:59] of clientele in the evening. And I think that that's

[1:49:01] appropriate. So I'll be voting in favor of the motion

[1:49:04] by director Guess I Brother. Thank you very much. I'm

[1:49:11] not suggesting for a moment I'd influenced by the date

[1:49:14] of October 17th for less than four months to an

[1:49:16] election. And you have 175 people who've written in and

[1:49:19] said they are opposed to the extension. And you've had

[1:49:23] coach and arguments from councillors Thorpe and Armstrong about the

[1:49:27] use and it's permitted use. And yes, our bylaws and

[1:49:31] zoning may be somewhat behind. But, uh, candidly, um, please

[1:49:37] note the recommended motion is the council recommend the liquor

[1:49:41] and cannabis regulation branch deny the application. I want to

[1:49:45] emphasize something. This council has approved virtually every cannabis store

[1:49:49] that's come before it. With great respect, the use of

[1:49:52] cannabis, it is becoming apparent to me is far more

[1:49:54] damaging and dangerous to this community than whether or not

[1:49:58] we have another one or more licoricements. And whether or

[1:50:01] not those include adult entertainment. So as much as I

[1:50:05] am sympathetic to the challenges faced, it seems to me

[1:50:08] that the behaviours that are occurring that are disturbing and

[1:50:12] legitimately so to Mr. Butterworth and the dance school are

[1:50:15] things that need to be enforced. And we have good

[1:50:19] neighbour agreements and other things that can work to enforce

[1:50:22] that. So, uh, as much as I appreciate all being

[1:50:25] the minority tonight, uh, I'll be voting with councillors Armstrong

[1:50:28] and thorope on this. The motion is to recommend that

[1:50:32] the reliquarinal cannabis regulation branched deny the application. All those

[1:50:39] in favor of the motion, councillors Eastmare, Kessel Rock Manly

[1:50:43] Brown and preno, and those opposed. Councillor's Armstrong, Paloun Seremons,

[1:50:48] Mayor Crowe, Councillor Thorpe, the Motion carries. Thank you very

[1:50:51] much. Biggest debate tonight. We're on to 13D Rezoning Application

[1:50:57] Number RA523 - 235 Departure Bay Road. Again, I know

[1:51:03] the proponent fairly well, unfortunately, and we'll be declaring a

[1:51:07] conflict accordingly and will remove myself. Over to you, Councillor

[1:51:10] Hemmons.

[1:51:23] Mr. E, do we have a staff introduction on this

[1:51:25] one? Okay. We just go directly to the delegation chair.

[1:51:32] So Mr. Scott Mack. Come on down.

[1:51:51] Where is the clicker for. Thank you. Mr. Makif, five

[1:51:57] minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair and members of council. My

[1:52:00] name is Scott Mack. I'm the managing partner for Towns

[1:52:02] Light Planning. And I'm here this evening on behalf of

[1:52:05] my client regarding item 13D on your agenda. Which is

[1:52:08] a rezoning application RA523. Townside Planning submitted an application to

[1:52:15] the city on the NINIMLO on behalf of our client.

[1:52:17] To rezone the subject property from R1 to a mix

[1:52:20] of R5 and R8 medium density residential zoning. The property

[1:52:26] is 1. 14 acres in size and designated for residential

[1:52:30] development in city plan, which supports building forms and the

[1:52:34] densities found in both the R5 and the R8 zones.

[1:52:37] The property is also located two blocks from Brooks Landing

[1:52:40] and Salair Elementary School, providing excellent access to shopping employment

[1:52:45] and education all within close walking distance. And the property

[1:52:48] is located on departure bay road. Which is an urban

[1:52:50] collector roadway and has a major transit route running directly

[1:52:53] past the property with several other routes also available at

[1:52:57] Brooks Landing. I'm going to skip ahead of this slide

[1:53:02] because I'm going to talk about it in the next

[1:53:03] one. Here you can see the proposed forlot layout of

[1:53:08] the property with the proposed R8 facing departure bay road

[1:53:12] to the east, which is proposed to accommodate a small

[1:53:14] multifamily building. Based on the topography of the site. This

[1:53:19] building would be four stories facing departure bay road, but

[1:53:22] only three stories facing the rear lane. Roughly 35 to

[1:53:26] 50 percent of the required parking for the R8 site

[1:53:29] is supposed to be located underneath the building. With a

[1:53:31] remaining parking located at the rear of the building and

[1:53:33] access via the lane. The Western portion of the site

[1:53:37] would be zoned to R5 in order to accommodate three

[1:53:40] lots, providing for a density transition as you move away

[1:53:43] from the busier departure bay road towards Lindburg Crescent. The

[1:53:48] proposed R5 zoning would match the existing zoning that already

[1:53:51] exists on the west side of Lindburg Crescent and on

[1:53:54] the development directly to the north. You can also see

[1:53:57] on the site plan the proposed extension of the lane

[1:54:00] from Sandringham Avenue, running north - south through the site,

[1:54:03] which will provide access for all of the lots. The

[1:54:06] lane will eliminate an existing dangerous driveway access onto departure

[1:54:09] bay road and also significantly reduces the impact from new

[1:54:12] development on the existing local roads. We have also proposed

[1:54:15] a pedestrian connection running east - west along the southern

[1:54:19] boundary of the site between departure - bee road in

[1:54:21] Lindburg Crescent. And of course, there will be front improvements

[1:54:24] on both Departure Ba Road and Lin Burn at the

[1:54:26] time of Development. In terms of community engagement, we did

[1:54:31] hold a neighbourhood open house last spring and a total

[1:54:34] of 16 residents attended the meeting. What we did here,

[1:54:38] some of the typical concerns that you might expect to

[1:54:40] hear at this type of meeting regarding development in general.

[1:54:44] There were also several attendees who expressed support for and

[1:54:46] interest in the project. Regarding amenities, we acknowledged that the

[1:54:50] city recently adopted a new amenity cost charged bylaw that

[1:54:54] will come into effect in January of 2029. We had

[1:54:57] originally proposed a CAC of approximately 125, 000 dollars based

[1:55:01] on the cities now rescinded policy, but have since updated

[1:55:04] the proposal to match the rates in the new ACC

[1:55:07] bylaw, which we anticipate will result in the contribution of

[1:55:10] approximately 131, 000 dollars. These funds would be directed towards

[1:55:13] the city's affordable housing reserve fund and the parks reserve

[1:55:16] fund. Finally, we of course watched with great interest as

[1:55:22] council deliberated the rezoning application further down the hill, uh,

[1:55:25] in recent weeks at 2565 departure road. We noted that

[1:55:30] council expressed some concern with the proponent's application. In terms

[1:55:34] of this idea of potentially showing something at rezoning stage

[1:55:38] and then coming in later and looking for more or

[1:55:41] additional density than what was shown at the time of

[1:55:43] rezoning. And we saw obviously what was done in order

[1:55:46] to address that concern with that application in discussions with

[1:55:50] staff. We've essentially proposed a very similar restriction with our

[1:55:54] application where the maximum density would be capped at 1.

[1:55:59] 0 FAR, which reflects the density that is shown in

[1:56:03] our proposal and is significantly less than the 1. 85

[1:56:06] FAR, which might otherwise be permitted without any restriction based

[1:56:10] on the R8 zoning. In closing, just wanted to emphasize

[1:56:16] a couple of key points, uh, one, our application aligns

[1:56:20] with the density and policy objectives of city plan, especially

[1:56:24] now even more so with the additional commitment to the

[1:56:26] maximum FAAR. The site is centrally located on a major

[1:56:31] roadway with excellent access to multiple transit routes, shopping, and

[1:56:34] employment, all within easy walking distance. It provides new amenities,

[1:56:38] both in the form of new pedestrian connection between de

[1:56:40] BARCHAY Road and Lindburg Crescent. And through frontage improvements at

[1:56:43] the time of development, as well as through a significant

[1:56:45] cash amenity contribution. And ultimately our proposal generated very little

[1:56:50] concern or feedback through the public consultation process. As a

[1:56:53] result, we respectfully request the council grant first, second, and

[1:56:56] third reading this evening. If you have any questions, I

[1:56:58] would be happy to address them. Thank you, Mr. Mack.

[1:57:02] A couple of questions for you. Councillor Armstrong. Thank you.

[1:57:06] Um, I don't know, I couldn't see it. Where is

[1:57:08] AXE is going to be? Is it going to be

[1:57:09] off Lindburn or is it going to be off a

[1:57:11] departure bay. Through the chair to Councillor Armstrong, the access

[1:57:16] would actually, at this point in time, would come off

[1:57:19] of Sandringham Avenue. Uh, because all of the development, the

[1:57:22] three R5 lots, as well as the R8 lot, uh,

[1:57:25] would all be provided to access from the lane that's

[1:57:28] going to run through the centre of the site. So

[1:57:30] that development there, like to the north of it, that's

[1:57:33] owned by the same developer. So he has access to

[1:57:36] those roads? It's a public lane that exists through that

[1:57:39] site now. That that abut set my client's property. So

[1:57:42] we would be extending that public lane, uh, through my

[1:57:45] client's property. And then ultimately, if the property to the

[1:57:47] South wherever developed that public lane could be further extended,

[1:57:51] uh, as you move to the South. Thank you. Thank

[1:57:56] you. There's no further questions from counsel. I appreciate your

[1:57:59] presence. Thank you very much. Question for staff. Councillor Manley.

[1:58:04] Go ahead. Uh, yeah, just a question for you to

[1:58:06] staff. So the, the, um, 1. 0 FAR is that.

[1:58:12] I didn't see that as a covenanted thing. Is that

[1:58:17] I was that guaranteed in the, um, in the proposal.

[1:58:23] Thank you for the question. Through the chair to Councillor

[1:58:26] Manley. Yeah. That would be site specific for the, um,

[1:58:31] uh, the property. Okay. Through the zoning. Okay. I didn't

[1:58:36] see that. I didn't see it in the report. It

[1:58:38] was, um, on the conditions of rezoning. It, yeah, through,

[1:58:44] uh, through, uh, chair to Councillor Manley. So it would

[1:58:46] be in the bylaw noted as cite specific maximum floraya

[1:58:50] ratio. Okay. Thank you. Councillor Armstrong. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:58:58] Um, I don't see anybody here from engineering. I'm just

[1:59:01] wondering about, we have so many concerns already about departure

[1:59:05] bay road. We've added more in at the other end

[1:59:07] where we've added more. I just wanted to know what

[1:59:09] the impact would be. Especially because the light on Sandringham.

[1:59:14] Yeah, I'm just really struggling with this. I think it's

[1:59:15] too many units for the size of the lot. Thank

[1:59:20] you. Councillor Thorpe. Thank you very much, Chair. Yes. I

[1:59:29] will likely support this, but I am struggling with it

[1:59:32] somewhat. I feel the reality is that the dominoes have

[1:59:36] started to fall in the, uh, departure bay neighbourhood. I

[1:59:40] did not support the application a couple of weeks back

[1:59:43] that we discussed. I thought the density was too great.

[1:59:46] And quite frankly, I sometimes wonder why we bother have

[1:59:49] zoning, uh, barraged with efforts or attempts to rezone from

[1:59:57] R1 to R8 or something similar. Uh, so I'm still

[2:00:01] giving this thought. Um, I concede that I have heard

[2:00:05] very little community pushback on this one as opposed to

[2:00:08] the earlier development. Which is good. Uh, I do have

[2:00:12] a question about the, uh, amenity contribution. Uh, through you,

[2:00:16] Chair.

[2:00:27] And my question is. Are my preference would be that

[2:00:30] 100 percent of the amenity contribution be directed towards park

[2:00:35] or trail improvements in that immediate neighbourhood. We have the,

[2:00:40] uh, the small park where kinhut is located. We have

[2:00:42] the departure bay sports fields, which are reasonably heavily used.

[2:00:46] I'm sure there's lots of improvements that could be made

[2:00:49] in those areas. So that's a comment for what it's

[2:00:52] worth. And I don't know how this, uh, the suggested

[2:00:57] allocation of the funds was determined. Thank you, Chair. Council,

[2:01:03] I see no further questions or comments. I will indicate

[2:01:06] that I am in support of this proposal one of

[2:01:08] the resident wrote to us, uh, asking that we rejected.

[2:01:14] And part of the rationale was that the primary school

[2:01:16] in a shopping centre just up the street from the

[2:01:18] property in question. And that in and of itself is

[2:01:20] my rationale for density in that area. Um, 40 extra

[2:01:24] cars. That's exactly where we want the cars. We want

[2:01:27] people to be able to go to school and go

[2:01:28] to the grocery store without having to get in those

[2:01:30] cars. So, um, I'm the chair. And this is a

[2:01:34] bylaw. I can't read it. Kelgo to counsel Manley first.

[2:01:39] And then if I was just going to express support

[2:01:42] for this as well in city plan, this is identified

[2:01:45] as, as corridor, um, for increased density. It's close to

[2:01:50] amenities schools, shopping centres. Um, and this is, you know,

[2:01:56] it's on a transit route. Um, this is where it

[2:01:58] makes sense to density. And it's not, um, designated as

[2:02:03] a suburban neighbourhood in our city plan. So I'm, I'm

[2:02:07] in support of it. Thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair,

[2:02:11] just of note, when you're ready, um, I think Council

[2:02:13] Brown has his hand up, but, um, Councillor Easmir is

[2:02:16] the next acting chair. So she can read the bylaw

[2:02:18] when it comes out. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Over

[2:02:21] to you, Council Brown. I just want to say supportive.

[2:02:25] I also want to say chair that nothing stopping you

[2:02:27] from reading the bylaw as well. Thank you. Thank you.

[2:02:31] I prefer councillor easmir. I'll move that zoning amendment by

[2:02:38] law 2026 number 4, 500. 253 to rezone 2335 departure

[2:02:44] bay road from single dwelling residential R123 and four unit

[2:02:48] residential R5 and medium density residential R8 with a site

[2:02:53] - specific maximum floor area ratio of 1. 0 for

[2:02:56] the R8 portion of the property passed first reading. Thank

[2:02:59] you, Secretary by Councillor Armstrong. All those in favor. Any

[2:03:04] opposed. I see none opposed. I move that zoning amendment

[2:03:08] bylaw 2026 number 4, 500. 253 past second reading. Thank

[2:03:12] you seconded by Councillor Armstrong. I'm sorry, sir, you're not.

[2:03:18] If you haven't signed up for a delegation, what you

[2:03:21] can do is put your name on the list for

[2:03:23] questions that the end. Um, I'm sorry, sir. We're going

[2:03:29] into second and third reading here. There is a question

[2:03:32] and answer or question sheet you can sign up for.

[2:03:42] Okay. Um, sorry, sir. I'm going to ask you to

[2:03:45] stop. This is a place of business and we don't

[2:03:48] take audience comment like that. So we are on second

[2:03:52] reading. It's been seconded by Councillor Armstrong. All those in

[2:03:55] favor. Sorry. Any opposed. I see none opposed. I move

[2:04:00] that zoning amendment bylaw 2026 number 4, 500 point 253

[2:04:04] past three reading. Second and by Councillor Thorpe, all those

[2:04:08] in favor. Any opposed. I see none of post. And

[2:04:13] I moved at council direct staff to secure the conditions

[2:04:15] related to zoning amendment bylaw 2026 number 4, 500. 253

[2:04:20] as outlined in the conditions of rezoning section of the

[2:04:22] staff report titled Rezoning Application number, our A523 2335 departure

[2:04:28] bay road dated. June 22nd, 2026 prior to final adoption.

[2:04:34] Seconded by Councillor Armstrong, all those in favor. Any opposed?

[2:04:38] I seen unopposed. Thank you.

[2:05:04] And the next is E rezoning application of our RA536

[2:05:08] - 2180HL in Boulevard. There is a recommended motion. Councillor

[2:05:17] Hemins. Your worship I moved at zoning amendment by law

[2:05:20] 2026. Number 4500. 255 to rezone 2180 Highland Boulevard to

[2:05:26] allow cannabis retail store as a site - specific use

[2:05:29] in the existing neighbourhood centre, CC2 zone, PASS First Reading.

[2:05:35] Seconded Councillor Armstrong, all those in favor. And opposed. Mo.

[2:05:43] I move at the barn. Uh, past second reading. Second

[2:05:48] - did Councillor Armstrong. All those in favor. Sorry. Yeah.

[2:05:54] Councillor Smith, please. Thank you. I think the difference between

[2:06:00] a rezoning for cannabis retail store is that the consumption

[2:06:03] on site, unlike somewhere that has a liquor license. Um,

[2:06:08] so to me, it does not have the same type

[2:06:10] of potential negative impacts on the immediate surrounding neighbourhood. Um,

[2:06:15] so I will be voting in support of this. Thank

[2:06:19] you for what it's worth in response. There's one down

[2:06:21] the hill. At the new development. And the one further

[2:06:25] along the highway. It's enough for me. All those in

[2:06:28] favor. Everybody accept me. I'm opposed. Thank you. Councillor Hennons.

[2:06:40] Uh, I move that council direct staff to hold a

[2:06:42] public hearing for zoning amendment by law 2026. Number four

[2:06:46] five zero zero point two five. Secret councillor Thorpe. All

[2:06:51] those in favor of a public hearing. That's all of

[2:06:54] us. Un opposed. Councillor Hemons. Thank you. And finally, I

[2:06:59] moved that council direct staff to secure the conditions related

[2:07:02] to zoning amendment by law 2026. Number four five zero

[2:07:05] zero point two five as outlined in the conditions of

[2:07:08] rezoning section of the staff report titled rezoning application number

[2:07:11] RA536 - 2180 Highland Boulevard dated 2026, June 22nd prior

[2:07:18] to final adoption. Seconded councillor. Armstrong, all those in favor

[2:07:23] and any opposed, none motion carries. We have no bylaws,

[2:07:27] no correspondence, no no other business question period for agenda

[2:07:31] items only. Ms. Curry, please. Thank you very much. Mr.

[2:07:38] Anasley 12C. That's traffic demand management reserve

[2:07:48] fund bylaw? Yeah. Sorry. I'm sorry if, uh, was said

[2:07:52] during the presentation, but, uh, where is the, um, money

[2:07:56] that is going to be put in this fun come

[2:07:58] from is it, um, a new tax. Is it, uh,

[2:08:01] general revenue? Is it from DCC's. How are you going

[2:08:04] to fund this new, um, reserve. Thank you very much.

[2:08:10] Mr. Home. Uh, yes. Thank you, your worship through to

[2:08:17] the question. On this. So the, um, the fund will

[2:08:21] be provided. Funds will be provided by developers who are

[2:08:26] either required or choose to provide monetary contribution to this

[2:08:34] traffic demand management. Reserve fund through development. So offset parking,

[2:08:42] you can pay into the, um, uh, this fund. And

[2:08:46] so it won't be funded by tax dollars. It'll be

[2:08:50] through development. Okay. But not separate from DCCs and ACC.

[2:08:54] It's sort of its own. It is separate from ACC's

[2:08:58] and DCCs. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[2:09:04] No further items. Move Adjourn. Councillor Eastmare. Secretary Councillor Hemens.

[2:09:09] All those in favor. Any opposed on motion carries. Thank

[2:09:12] you staff everyone tonight. Thank you for attending.

"Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw 2026 No. 7453" - Regular Council Meeting

Agenda

Transcript