{"videoId":"438fa02c-9080-48e1-916c-99832a974317","source":"assemblyai","segments":[{"t":0,"text":"Sam.","speaker":"A"},{"t":234,"text":"Staff ready. Welcome everyone to the special committee special meeting of Council on July 13, 2026. I will call this meeting to order.","speaker":"B"},{"t":253,"text":"In our previous meeting we did the territorial acknowledgement and so I will move down and there are late items to add to the agenda under item 5. 2, 5. 5 and item 6. 1.","speaker":"B"},{"t":282,"text":"So with those additions, if I could have a motion to approve the agenda please.","speaker":"B"},{"t":292,"text":"So I'll move approval, your worship, but could we also amend the agenda to move item six one rezoning application 1140 and 1140, sorry, 1148 Esquimalt Road staff report number DEV 26031 up to the first.","speaker":"A"},{"t":306,"text":"First item because I think we have members of the public who wish to speak to that and see that item being.","speaker":"A"},{"t":315,"text":"All right, so with the amendment built","speaker":"B"},{"t":319,"text":"in with the additions as well, and","speaker":"A"},{"t":321,"text":"the additions, is there a seconder for the motion? Thank you, Councillor Cavins. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? None opposed. All right, so we have moved.","speaker":"B"},{"t":334,"text":"Just want to find it six one up to before item five. Okay, so we are now at public input which is on items five and six.","speaker":"B"},{"t":347,"text":"Item five being all of the staff reports and item six being the bylaws not subject to public hearing which include the rezoning application of 1140, 1148 Esquimot Road and tax prepayment plan bylaw.","speaker":"B"},{"t":363,"text":"If you are thinking you'd like to speak, we have a fairly heavy agenda and we would appreciate if you would come up and line up so that we can do this in the best possible way that we can hear all of you and we can still be awake for the end of the agenda.","speaker":"B"},{"t":390,"text":"Are there any members of the public that wish to speak? I will call a second time, so please come forward and the first person gets to turn on the microphone.","speaker":"B"},{"t":406,"text":"Excellent.","speaker":"C"},{"t":407,"text":"And give us your name and address for the record. And welcome.","speaker":"B"},{"t":412,"text":"Hello mayor and council, My name is Colin Macklock Live on 865 Wollaston street in Esquimo. I'll just put a few words in for the Esquimo Village co housing development that we're hoping to pass tonight.","speaker":"C"},{"t":428,"text":"I just wanted to say that it's different from other developments because the people that live there own it. The ground floor is not going to be open for commercial development. That's for the people that live in the facility.","speaker":"C"},{"t":446,"text":"There's 32 apartments or suites and it's unique. Co housing is totally different than cooperative housing and you might find that out later on when there's more presentation. Anyway, I just wanted to put my two bits in.","speaker":"C"},{"t":463,"text":"This is a good thing for Esquimalt. It's one of the first in Esquimalt and it's right across from McDonald's there and it'll be a nice addition. Anyway, thank you.","speaker":"C"},{"t":477,"text":"Thank you. Are there other members of the public that wish to speak? I will call a second time. I will call a third and final time and seeing none we will move down.","speaker":"B"},{"t":498,"text":"And we are now into business and we have the rezoning application of 11401148 Squamont Road up first and we threw staff off with this so we'll allow Mr. Brown to come to the table. Welcome","speaker":"B"},{"t":522,"text":"your worship members. Kessel we also need the PowerPoints for the rezoning application.","speaker":"D"},{"t":572,"text":"Thanks. Good evening mayor and council. Right up front here. Rezoning application 1140 and 1148 Esquimo Road. These are two properties on the corner of Squamont and Fernhill as someone mentioned across from McDonald's on Esquimalt Road there.","speaker":"E"},{"t":587,"text":"Currently the official community plan has the designated a medium density residential. What they're proposing is six stories and FAR of 2. 0 which is consistent with the designation. The zoning right now is for.","speaker":"E"},{"t":601,"text":"The current Zoning is for RD1 and right now there are two quad plexes on that lot and the proposal is for a zone to accommodate the development.","speaker":"E"},{"t":612,"text":"And since there's no zone in zoning bylaw Comprehensive Development district seating number 172 is written for that. There is a tenant assistance plan in place as the tenant assistance policy applies to these these two quadplexes.","speaker":"E"},{"t":627,"text":"Currently six of the units are being rented with four of them being eligible for under the tenant assistance policy.","speaker":"E"},{"t":635,"text":"Two of the tenants have moved in after the rezoning application started so they don't qual and right now they are in the early process where they're still speaking with the current residents about their living situation and their future situation.","speaker":"E"},{"t":652,"text":"So to back to the proposal is 4:6 stories, 34 residential units and a floor A ratio of 2. 0. The height is 22 meters there","speaker":"E"},{"t":663,"text":"and","speaker":"F"},{"t":663,"text":"the parquet lot coverage as delineated in blue is 83%. Building lot coverage in orange is 60%. And the setbacks to Squamote Road 3. 5 meters, 3. 8 meters to Fernhill, 3. 8 meters to the north and 3.","speaker":"E"},{"t":682,"text":"3 note I measured 3. 5 to the face of the building where there is a balcony overhang on both the Squamilt road and the Fernhill frontage and the usable open space in green There is 7.","speaker":"E"},{"t":700,"text":"8% they're proposing for a moto car share service in addition to 20% of their bicycle parking to be designed for oversized bicycles and as such they have a lower parking requirements.","speaker":"E"},{"t":715,"text":"They do conform to the new parking bylaw, the 2025 version with the traffic event traffic demand management.","speaker":"E"},{"t":723,"text":"So there's no stipulations written within this amendment bylaw for parking and basically assumes that everything just will conform as as proposed to the parking bylaw. And I'm available for questions.","speaker":"E"},{"t":736,"text":"Thank you Mr. Tank, questions for staff.","speaker":"B"},{"t":742,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"G"},{"t":742,"text":"Could you go back slide where you just showed the building? I think it was one of the first few. Yes, that one. Perfect.","speaker":"A"},{"t":752,"text":"So just looking at the massing typically we had with most other six story buildings, we try to reduce the massing somewhat by having setbacks at either the 5th or 4th floor, usually both.","speaker":"A"},{"t":766,"text":"Sorry, 5th and 6th floor and usually both.","speaker":"A"},{"t":770,"text":"So basically you have the normal kind of frontage of going up to the fourth story and then you don't really see the fifth and sixth story as much and it reduces the overall massing.","speaker":"A"},{"t":784,"text":"Just wondering if that was discussed at all with the proponents in terms of trying to reduce that sheer vertical massing.","speaker":"A"},{"t":793,"text":"Through your worship the council, I have spoken to the applicant about the massing as it relates to the height and lie coverage and creating more undulations and you know, reducing the lot coverage.","speaker":"E"},{"t":806,"text":"And this is what we arrived at. It's a compromise of sorts and the light coverage is higher than what you see in other medium density residential.","speaker":"E"},{"t":816,"text":"All right.","speaker":"H"},{"t":817,"text":"And just, just a question of curiosity through the chair around the co housing. So everything is owner occupied, is that right?","speaker":"A"},{"t":824,"text":"Correct.","speaker":"E"},{"t":826,"text":"Like under provincial law. I think now with strata rules you're not, you can't prevent renting out units. I believe that's the law provincially now.","speaker":"A"},{"t":835,"text":"So this would be obviously a strata council if someone, if one of the owners wanted to rent their unit is that that would still work within this model.","speaker":"A"},{"t":845,"text":"The tenant would just simply adopt the same kind of co housing practices as all the residents would have.","speaker":"A"},{"t":852,"text":"Through your worship the council, for the sakes of the township, this is regulated as just a residential apartment building. The co housing model is their model. We're not restricting it to co housing.","speaker":"E"},{"t":865,"text":"So anything that they choose to do is under their rules for our sakes as in the municipality sakes, it's a residential building, it's owner occupied and treated as a strata of development as such.","speaker":"E"},{"t":880,"text":"Okay, interesting.","speaker":"A"},{"t":882,"text":"All right, thank you any councillor Armor,","speaker":"B"},{"t":890,"text":"Thank you for the presentation. I'm just looking at the material provided. Was there A traffic assessment done as","speaker":"I"},{"t":899,"text":"part of the proposal.","speaker":"J"},{"t":900,"text":"I didn't see it in the attachments","speaker":"I"},{"t":903,"text":"then there was not.","speaker":"E"},{"t":904,"text":"Okay. And I'm guessing that maybe because it's 34 units. It's not. I guess, I mean, look, you know, I'm not trying to get into comments yet.","speaker":"I"},{"t":914,"text":"I mean, I can understand for the location why it makes sense to have the density there. I guess. You know, I've flagged this before. This is yet another development on esquimalt Road, which is becoming an increasingly busier road.","speaker":"I"},{"t":928,"text":"It's a road that's used a lot. By whom? People leaving the base in the afternoon. And in the past I'd asked when we'd done traffic studies if you looked at the aggregate. Now, I guess aggregate impact.","speaker":"I"},{"t":941,"text":"I guess because you haven't done traffic study, you didn't do that. But I'm just. I'm wondering if you can comment on any concerns about adding to the traffic flow on Esquimault Road.","speaker":"I"},{"t":960,"text":"I'll defer this question to the director of engineering, Joel Cleary,","speaker":"E"},{"t":969,"text":"Through the chair. There's not a lot I think to add. It's like you mentioned, the number of units. I think some of the other buildings we see are greater in scale.","speaker":"H"},{"t":982,"text":"There will be frontage improvements that look at adding sidewalks are wider sidewalks and bike facilities on. On that frontage. So I think it. A lot of it does have to do with the number of units there,","speaker":"H"},{"t":1000,"text":"Councilor Brain.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1002,"text":"And I'm not sure if we'll have a chance to talk to the, you know, if there's a speaker, a promoter. Oh, excellent. So maybe I'll hold it then for them.","speaker":"K"},{"t":1011,"text":"Sorry, any other questions for staff at this time? Thank you very much. All right. We would welcome the proponent to come forward with your presentation.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1042,"text":"Thank you, council. Thanks for moving us up in the agenda. There are a lot of very interested people here tonight. My name's Scott Kennedy of Cornerstone Architecture.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1054,"text":"I'm here on behalf of the Squamold Co housing project to present their application for rezoning. I'd like to introduce Geza Zellerman, who's at the back of the room. That's our lead designer in the project. She's the local resident.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1070,"text":"And Chris Winjak, our landscape architect, is here as well. My colleague Will Simmons is online as the architect of record and he's listening in tonight.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1081,"text":"Council recall that the township's 2019 Designing Density Report funded by Plan H and developed with Island Health, showed that social connectedness directly drives physical and mental health.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1093,"text":"Our six story cohousing Project directly implements all five of the report's CO recommendations. First, it reinforces health by being fundamentally social by design. Second, as an intentional mid rise building, it blends community density into Esquimault's urban scale.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1109,"text":"Third, it balances individual privacy with social activity, a core concept of cohousing. Fourth, it activates the ground floor with shared spaces that form a crucial social hub.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1121,"text":"And fifth, its highly walkable location fully leverages the 20 minute neighborhood concept. In short, this application is a physical realization of the exact housing vision this council has been championing. I'll go briefly.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1135,"text":"The site is located on the southeast corner of Esquimault Road and Fernhill Road. It was chosen due to its location close to shopping, recreation facilities, parks and the waterfront.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1148,"text":"The OCP designates that is suitable for six story residential project at a 2. 0 FSR and one key aspect of the site is the presence of the large mature trees to the east.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1162,"text":"We've had these evaluated by an arborist and we have ensured that the project is set back sufficiently to preserve those that are significant and not potential danger trees.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1174,"text":"The site slopes uphill about two and a half meters to the north.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1180,"text":"The planning department noted that the project is consistent with the OCP is a six story medium density residential project with a variety of housing types with spaces to foster social interaction.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1193,"text":"We've evaluated the project against the guidelines of the four development permit areas associated with the site. Natural environment, multifamily residential energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction and water conservation.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1206,"text":"And we're confident that we can achieve these objectives of these guidelines when the project proceeds through the development permit process. So this is Esquimault Cohousing. The project was designed to serve a CO housing community.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1221,"text":"The cohousing community is the developer and the equity financier.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1225,"text":"Canadian cohousing experts Renee Matthew and Margaret Critchlow as well as Alistair Townsend who successfully developed cohousing communities in Sooke and Sydney as well as numerous others throughout the province are consultants to this group.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1240,"text":"Most members are residents of this and surrounding communities. Cohousing uses a consensus decision making process community building process and the group is intimately involved in the design process.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1252,"text":"So I'd like to introduce Joe Marchand to speak to the panel on behalf of the community, some of who are many of whom are present in the room.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1268,"text":"So what happens when he's a foot taller than me? James Good evening Mayor and council. As Scott said, I'm Jo Marchand introduce you to Esquimo village members, our villagers.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1280,"text":"Fifteen months ago our group launched this initiative and selected this property from options across greater Victoria. And yes, my grandson's criteria was McDonald's and that's why he went for it.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1292,"text":"My spouse and I were drawn enough to move here immediately. We're not just applicants, we're now your neighbors. Today, 11 committed households have invested personally to purchase this property and engage our design team with more considering joining.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1307,"text":"We're proud sponsors of the Esquimo Farmers market because food security and local agriculture are important to us. This proposal wasn't designed by a developer chasing a quick return. It was built by the people who will live there.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1322,"text":"And I'd like to add that some of those people are purchasing properties that they will rent out in the short term until they're ready to move in themselves. So that might address some of your concerns.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1336,"text":"Over the past year, we've held five design workshops with our architects from Cornerstone and ledr, working through building arrangements, kitchen design, oh my gosh, shared common spaces and outdoor recreation space areas. And we did this together.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1351,"text":"The plans before you reflect all of our direct involvement and let me tell you, consensus building, lots of work. So we chose Esquimo because of its vibrancy and openness to change.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1363,"text":"Our social by design approach delivers shared amenities at every level, spaces for seniors to age in place, and more importantly, safe place, outdoor spaces for our children to play. So this proposal reflects our collective values.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1377,"text":"So we are a strata with heart. We want sustainability, inclusivity, and we respect the first nations land that we occupy. We aren't just building a 34 unit strata, we're building a neighborhood rooted in belonging.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1391,"text":"And we ask for your support to make it real. Thank you.","speaker":"L"},{"t":1403,"text":"To dedicate about meters along Esquimault Road to provide for a bike lane and a 1 meter dedication. Also along Fernhill Road, the site is flanked by a number of significant trees to the east.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1417,"text":"To accommodate their preservation, we've set back the parkade and building about 3. 6 meters. Private lands in this area are unlikely to develop as they are panhandles leading to lots to the north.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1429,"text":"To the north is a small apartment building. The site slopes upwards about two and a half meters to the north.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1437,"text":"And so the logical location for the parkade entry is in the northwest corner, which happens to coincide with the highest point on the site. Always a struggle with a parkade. Hence a long ramp to get down below grade.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1453,"text":"We've located a car share stall, loading stall and front entry associated with that entry driveway.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1459,"text":"The project's been modeled after Little Mountain Coal housing a six story community in Vancouver that we had the privilege to realize with that group. This project is widely cited as a successful case study in community centric design.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1474,"text":"We're excited that BC's newest coal housing community will be situated in the heart of Esquimault.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1480,"text":"The program we're given for esquimo cohousing was 34 private homes for families, seniors, singles and extensive community amenities to support community interaction through shared meals, regular activities and daily encounters between neighbors as they come and go.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1494,"text":"While legally a market rate strata development cohousing contributes to the affordable housing continuum.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1499,"text":"The model's social structure and shared resources reduce long term living costs and by providing amenities like dining workshops, play spaces and meeting rooms collectively, individual homes can be smaller without sacrificing the quality of life.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1513,"text":"Design we're presenting this evening was established through a series of structured workshops with the group to define their requirements. The unit mix what common spaces and spatial relationships around their needs and desires.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1526,"text":"The result of this, together with feasibility and sustainability concerns is what we are presenting as part of the rezoning process.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1534,"text":"We will have more workshops leading up to the development permit process where we'll be update progress further enhance the design and respond to the needs of the expanded group.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1546,"text":"As new owners join the group so the entire ground floor is given over to the common house.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1552,"text":"The common house draws the co housing community together and in addition through the members can draw in neighbors to join in activities and events.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1562,"text":"The common house is focused around a large communal kitchen on the main level with a series of related seating spaces to accommodate large and small gatherings.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1572,"text":"Other features include a lounge, a children's playroom, a crafts room, management office, storage, a workshop and bike storage.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1579,"text":"Landscape features around the common house support the community, including an outdoor room with a fire pit, front porch and a play space.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1588,"text":"Level 1 to 5 each have small common areas off the corridor for residents to shape as they see fit.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1596,"text":"Modeled on our first six story cohousing project Little Mountain where these floor by floor gathering spaces provided highly effective proved highly effective at building community connections.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1606,"text":"On level two, the area will be dedicated to a communal laundry with its own airing balcony. On level six is a small gym.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1615,"text":"To successfully provide the building program to keep the project somewhat affordable, we determined that we needed to accommodate seven suites per floor.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1624,"text":"The unit mix is 11 bedroom, 12 bedroom, 1 bath, 32 bedroom, 2 bath, 12 bedroom, 2 bath and den and 33 bedroom and den suites.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1634,"text":"As an additional affordability measure, a portion of these units are designed to support two bedrooms unrelated adults cohabiting in a co living arrangement, thus splitting the cost. All Suites have a balcony.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1646,"text":"On the 6th floor, we've reduced the unit count to 5 and step back the top floor to lower the building scale at the street and allow some outdoor elevated common space to garden and enjoy the south sun and the view to the ocean.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1664,"text":"Common spaces here include a small gym, a small lounge associated with a covered outdoor area for smaller gatherings and a quiet room for co working. The detailed building design is more relevant to the development permit process.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1678,"text":"However, we'd like to introduce a few basic ideas we are discussing with our client group. Six of the seven suites have a view to the southeast or southwest.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1689,"text":"The sixth floor has been set back to reduce the building scale along Esquimalt Road and provide a sunny outdoor common space with an ocean view.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1699,"text":"We're proposing a masonry base to break up the scale of the building and provide a robust ground level. The masonry will heat up during the day and provide warmth to the outdoor spaces in the evenings.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1713,"text":"We've worked at the planning department to create contiguous covered and uncovered spaces to meet the intent of the usable open space provisions of the zoning bylaw.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1723,"text":"We've added steel canopies to add scale to the building, provide rain and sun protection and as a nod to historical working environment. Chris Winjak will review the landscape features of the design.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1738,"text":"I'm just going to point out that we're well over time for the presentation. It's very exciting.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1745,"text":"We want to hear from you but we would if we can move this forward and many of these items may be covered in questions. So welcome. Chris.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1756,"text":"Hi.","speaker":"M"},{"t":1757,"text":"Thank you. I'll be very brief for the landscape design. Here we go.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1762,"text":"Landscape architecture so the landscape design for this site focuses on creating attractive and functional spaces for the residents that are adapted to the very different site conditions along the perimeter of the property because we we have deep shade in the northeast and we have lots of sun on the south side.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1782,"text":"Worth noting that there are existing retaining walls in the northeast corner and the off site trees and so that is basically designed as a shade garden.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1792,"text":"The planting design for the whole site focuses on native centric plants with a strong emphasis on pollinator support and habitat creation as well as resilience in the face of climate change. We're proposing five trees along Fernhill.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1807,"text":"They essentially run down to the corner of Fernhill and Esquimalt on site. So that's everywhere where we have enough vertical setback and soil volume to support the trees. On the there's some sections here.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1820,"text":"It's the same plan but you can see on the roof level which I think is probably last we have the common amenities.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1829,"text":"Space is designed as a community garden, so making use of the shape of the sun that's up there.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1836,"text":"And then we also have a community garden located in the northwest corner on the ground plan where it will get afternoon sun as well.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1845,"text":"There's a flexible space that also doubles as a kids play area in the south east corner of the site. And then the entire frontage along Esquimalt, which Scott introduced as the front porch, has been designed with a.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1860,"text":"To have like a strong visual connection to the public realm.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1864,"text":"And so screening in there is done only through landscaping built into terrace walls with no fencing or anything along that frontage so that there's the ability to visually connect with people that are on the front porch and walking on the sidewalk and also chat with your neighbors","speaker":"G"},{"t":1883,"text":"and that kind of thing.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1884,"text":"So I'm happy to answer any questions for landscape, if there's any specifics.","speaker":"G"},{"t":1888,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"K"},{"t":1889,"text":"I think what we'll do is go through the whole presentation and then throw it out for whoever requires the. Whoever is. Whoever needs the question.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1900,"text":"Just. I can just conclude. Esquimobility Cohousing is a self financed, nonprofit, multi generational community designed from the ground up by the people who will live in it.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1913,"text":"It supports residents socially, financially and environmentally and brings a proven model to the heart of the Squamolts Evolving center. Thank you.","speaker":"C"},{"t":1923,"text":"Thank you. Questions for the proponents. Well, you did the wow factor. Okay. Council, there is a recommendation in front of you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1939,"text":"Councillor Morrison, I'll move the recommendation second.","speaker":"A"},{"t":1943,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1944,"text":"Do I have to read it up right?","speaker":"A"},{"t":1945,"text":"Yes, please.","speaker":"B"},{"t":1946,"text":"So the recommendation the council give first, second and third reading to and adopt zoning bylaw 1992 numbers 2050amendment bylaw 2026, number 3188.","speaker":"A"},{"t":1960,"text":"Thank you. And you have a seconder. Do you wish to speak?","speaker":"B"},{"t":1964,"text":"Yeah, I mean, it's unique to us as a municipality, but sounds like it's not unique. It's been done in other places to great success. To me it just feels like a very creative solution to our housing affordability challenges.","speaker":"A"},{"t":1979,"text":"It allows potential homeowners to essentially customize their own building, pool their finances collectively and design something that they will ultimately live in and be very engaged in the community, it sounds like as well.","speaker":"A"},{"t":1992,"text":"So I think it's fitting that they've selected the center of our community, because I do feel like from what we've heard is that residents occupying these homes will be very much a center of our community as well in terms of their civic involvement and their commitment to our community.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2011,"text":"Finally, I would Just say, I feel almost quite privileged that they did shop around the region as they said and they selected Ms. Guimalt.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2020,"text":"And I think that was fittingly so because of the fact that we are a pretty welcoming, innovative community that wants to try new solutions to our various housing challenges. As I said, I think this is a perfect fit.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2035,"text":"I still think of it as a co op but I understand from what we heard it's not a co op because we do have co op in Squamilt.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2045,"text":"But I know that the biggest challenge with co ops is that it's only good as long as you live there because you're essentially renting.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2055,"text":"But with this you become your own homeowner and you're able to do it in an affordable way by self helping and collectively helping each other as well at the same time.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2068,"text":"Councillor Brain? Yes.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2070,"text":"I love the social connectedness of this project. It is, it's so important for a variety of reasons. Putting on my, you know, I was on the Chamber of Commerce for many years.","speaker":"K"},{"t":2082,"text":"Do I, do I wish that there was some commercial space at a place that is in the heart of our commercial district? 100%. That is, you know, that was my only rubber.","speaker":"K"},{"t":2094,"text":"But the look of the building, how the people are going to be working together, it's going to be fabulous. Now if you could just find somebody","speaker":"K"},{"t":2104,"text":"who wanted to open a business and","speaker":"B"},{"t":2105,"text":"be part of the ownership then you would make my dream come true. But I think everything else about the project I can totally get behind. So for those reasons I would vote for it.","speaker":"K"},{"t":2117,"text":"But good work and I think you can get that many people to work together.","speaker":"K"},{"t":2122,"text":"I think that's my hat is off to you because I know that's not an easy task and it takes definitely a certain group of people to be","speaker":"K"},{"t":2131,"text":"able to do that.","speaker":"N"},{"t":2132,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"K"},{"t":2134,"text":"Any further discussion?","speaker":"B"},{"t":2136,"text":"Councillor Cavins, I just want to say","speaker":"A"},{"t":2138,"text":"how excited I am. Having been a founder of a co housing group before and lived in one for many years. I know how much work this is and how exciting this is.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2149,"text":"And I my experience is very much what Councillor Morrison and Councillor Brahm talked about. This is a real great model that really does create a really strong community and it's going to fit really well in Esquimalt.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2160,"text":"And I took the time to review the Designing Density Creating Social Connectedness and Multifamily Housing report that Esquimault did a long time ago and this just hits everything.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2170,"text":"And so I think that's great and I look forward to having dinner in your common house at some point.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2181,"text":"I'm extremely happy about having this proposal come forward. And as everyone has indicated, I mean I sit at a table of 24 down at CRD, so I can't imagine 34 of you. But this is community in itself.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2202,"text":"And because of the desire to work together, I can already hear that you're all going to be part of, as Councillor Brahm said, the outer community as well.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2218,"text":"And so we will welcome you, if you're not already here when you get here, to be volunteers, et cetera.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2229,"text":"And we're going to allow you, as you go forward, to latch on to our saying, which is esquimalt the place to be. I will call the question. All those in favor? Anyone opposed? None opposed. Motion is carried.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2250,"text":"Thank you very much. If you are planning to leave and not stay for the rest of the exciting agenda, please do it as quietly as you can.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2265,"text":"All right, we're going to move back now and we are at mayor and council remuneration review. Is this you, Mr. Jackway?","speaker":"B"},{"t":2284,"text":"Thank you mayor and council. So at the end of April I brought forward a report to engage a third party consultant and our selected comparators for council renumeration.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2298,"text":"So that report has been completed and is part of the attachment here. We were quite fortunate. Of the 13 comparators that were selected, we got a 100% response rate of those 13 comparators.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2314,"text":"So quite helpful for our for the third party assessment to be completed. The two areas to focus on is the medians of the mayor base salary.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2326,"text":"And then how we do that with the council is in the bylaw states a 40% minimum from that mayor's base salary. So those are the two areas to look at in the report there from the chart.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2344,"text":"The median that came up in the P50 range was $84,776. So just under 85,000 which would be 20%. Roughly 20% more than the current mayor's salary. And our councillor median was 37%.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2360,"text":"So basically 6% less than the median right now, which is 6% less, sorry, than the percentage right now which is at 43%. The budget impact.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2372,"text":"If the median is adopted for the mayor's salary and we assumed a council at 40% this year, that impact would be just over $6,000, 6,331 as this comes into effect on November 1st.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2388,"text":"So when impact any salaries now would come with the new council November 1st and for 2027 it would be an impact of just over 31,000. So 31,654.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2402,"text":"But also any CPI increase which is tied to our annual inflation rate that we do for the salary increase for both mayor and council.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2413,"text":"So recommendation is really for council for me to be able to update the bylaw, we'll need a recommendation from mayor and council on mayor salary and the council percentage. Thank you and happy to answer any questions.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2431,"text":"Thank you. Are there any questions? Councillor Morrison, thank you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2435,"text":"Just on your last comment you said about the financial impact. I don't think it'll be the dollar amount wouldn't be that much. But you said that. Actually it's in your report too.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2447,"text":"It says the additional increase the budget and then it says plus any CPI adjustments in accordance with the bylaw. So that's for 2027.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2455,"text":"But when I read the bylaw, there is actually no CPI adjustment done the first year of the new council because we've already adjusted as of November 1st.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2464,"text":"So the first CPI adjustment doesn't happen until the second year of the new council like 2028. So is that, am I reading the bylaw correctly?","speaker":"A"},{"t":2473,"text":"Can I pass on over to.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2474,"text":"Mr.","speaker":"J"},{"t":2479,"text":"Because it, the way the bylaw reads is that the, the new council receives their new remuneration effective November 1st. And then it says CPI adjustment is done.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2491,"text":"If you look at the last bylaw, it was, it was done in 2024. So that way like there was nothing done in 2023. Yeah. So like I said, the dollar amount probably for CPI would be 2% or something.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2507,"text":"But, but it, I just wanted to make sure that we understood that correctly, that there wouldn't be any financial CPI at impact for 2027, it would be for 2028. Okay.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2520,"text":"Through the chair we can take that away and confirm.","speaker":"H"},{"t":2523,"text":"Okay, thank you.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2526,"text":"Councillor Armour, Are there other questions? All right, seeing none. Go ahead.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2535,"text":"I'm going to make a motion that effective November 1st for the new council that the mayor's rate be raised to the median rate of $84,776 annually and that the councilor remuneration rate be raised to 40% of the mayor's medium rate at $33,910 annually.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2559,"text":"Thank you. And is there a seconder for that? Thank you. Do you wish to speak to it?","speaker":"B"},{"t":2564,"text":"Please. So this is really a tricky one and we every four years. Well, for myself and the seconders it's only been twice now, but every four years we have to do this.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2576,"text":"And of course it's a challenge because the obvious problem, perception of conflict of interest. Essentially we're asking council to vote on the renumeration package for, for itself. So that is challenging. I but a couple comments on this.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2591,"text":"First of all I like the objectivity of the staff report. I like you know, the fact that we're going with median rates to some extent removes our own personal bias and potential gains from it.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2605,"text":"We are just supporting not what staff nursery recommended but certainly the median rate which seems like a fair, a fair way of determining it.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2614,"text":"Secondly, for what you know, for what it's worth, three of the seven council members around this table of course will not be on council. At least three I should say will not be on council next time.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2629,"text":"So for myself and Councillor Helliwell, you know we don't have that conflict. I'm, I'm voting in favor of this because moving on to my third reason.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2639,"text":"I really believe that you have to find the balance between what is fair to taxpayers and we know property taxes are going up and it's a burden for taxpayers.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2650,"text":"On the other hand I also believe you get what you pay for and I think the quality of the candidates we get from mayors and councillor is not completely reflective of renumeration.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2663,"text":"But certainly renumeration has an impact for the mayor. It becomes almost a full time job for councillors. It's certainly a time consuming part time job. So I think in fairness I believe this will help with equality attraction.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2678,"text":"And lastly again while I'm not meaning to speak to diminish the impact on taxpayers of the property tax increases we've had over the last few years. This comes in at $31,000 annually. I believe Mr. Irvin would know this.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2693,"text":"I think 1% is roughly $300,000 of 1% property.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2697,"text":"1% in 2026 was 400,000.","speaker":"J"},{"t":2701,"text":"400,000. So this is less than 0. 1 represents less than 0. 1% of a property tax increase. So I think it is affordable. So for this, all those reasons that's why I put forward that motion.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2716,"text":"Councelor Hallowell, I won't repeat what Councelor Armour said. I think it was a good motivation. I just wanted to add a couple of things that you know. Is the method of setting mayor and council remuneration perfect? No.","speaker":"O"},{"t":2730,"text":"But I do like that we've done it quite consistently. I like that it follows UBCM's recommended process and best practices practices for doing so. Is it the perfect method? Probably not.","speaker":"O"},{"t":2743,"text":"Are there other recommendations and suggestions floating around the community? Absolutely. And it may be, it may warrant looking at some of those.","speaker":"O"},{"t":2751,"text":"But given where we are in the process that we're end of this council term I think it's really important that we do this now for next council to sort of remove some of that concern about setting your own compensation.","speaker":"O"},{"t":2767,"text":"I'm sure we'd all like the opportunity to set our own compensation, but I think this is probably the most fair and transparent way of doing this process.","speaker":"O"},{"t":2779,"text":"Any further discussion, Councillor?","speaker":"B"},{"t":2784,"text":"Sorry.","speaker":"J"},{"t":2784,"text":"This is similar to what I said when this came out the first time. I just feel a. This is very uncomfortable for all of us here. So I'm not, not saying that I have a real.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2796,"text":"Notwithstanding what Councillor Helio and Armour have just said, which I agree with, this is the UPCM recommended method. I have a really hard time with the method because it actually over time creates a ratcheting up as you.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2808,"text":"When you compare to median always and I feel much more comfortable with in the report it says one, local government is moving to something based on the city's median income, which I think actually when you look at the 2020 census, 2021 census really reflects what the mayor's salary was then.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2825,"text":"And I think that's something that I would like to push for next time because it really ties the council salaries to how well your community is doing as opposed to how someone in Fort St.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2836,"text":"John is being paid to sit at this table, which I don't think is really applicable. So I feel very torn on this. Yes, this is a replicable process.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2845,"text":"This is how we've done this for two terms, I guess three terms. But it still doesn't feel right.","speaker":"M"},{"t":2853,"text":"Councillor Morrison.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2856,"text":"Yeah, so I don't. I'm not going to question the process. I think they're all valid comments made it just when you look at the dollar figures and we went through this last time, I think we've done.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2871,"text":"I think just as far as I can remember, every time we've done this, we ended up changing the policy because the dollar amounts were quite a bit larger than what seemed acceptable.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2884,"text":"And you know, if I, I mean the councilor adjustment, that seems reasonable somewhat. But the mayor's adjustment is quite significant. It's $15,000 roughly, if I'm. So it's currently 70,455 and the. The new median would be 84. Yeah.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2899,"text":"So that's about 15,000 more or less. And I think that was in the report says 20% increase. That feels uncomfortable, especially in the year where we had such a large tax increase as well.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2913,"text":"That context, I think is relevant here. But the only thing I could suggest is what we, I believe we did last time when we had the exact same scenario, is that because the councilor adjustment was deemed more Reasonable.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2929,"text":"We simply applied that same dollar amount to the Mayor's adjustment and so that would be rather than 80. Sorry, rather than 80.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2939,"text":"Councillor, are you proposing an amendment?","speaker":"B"},{"t":2941,"text":"No, I'm trying to add to the discussion because I, I'm just saying there are other options here. Other than what? And there is precedent for us doing other options is what I'm saying.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2955,"text":"But it just, just to tell you what that would be, instead of the $15,000 increase to the mayor's pay of 84776 that would be around $3,000 something dollar close to $4,000 extra.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2968,"text":"So it end up being like 70, probably closer to 75,000 than 85,000. So roughly 10,000.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2975,"text":"So. So councillor Morrison, unless you're putting an amendment.","speaker":"B"},{"t":2978,"text":"No, I just want to say the information for doing other options if we wanted to.","speaker":"A"},{"t":2982,"text":"Any further discussion?","speaker":"B"},{"t":2983,"text":"Councilor Armour, I just want to respond to both Councillor Cavins and Councillor Morrison's comments. Councillor Cavins, I agree with you. I think I raised that myself last time.","speaker":"I"},{"t":2994,"text":"The ratcheting impact of this does concern me too because at 40% you're always going to be moving up and, and so the possibility of tying it to the incoming community, that's an interesting one and obviously this is something for the future council to consider.","speaker":"I"},{"t":3010,"text":"So I'm, you know, I'm not suggesting we change anything tonight, but I like your thought.","speaker":"I"},{"t":3015,"text":"Looking at it further, I'll respond to Councillor Morrison's non amendment and just say that I think, you know, for the mayor of a city of 18,000 to 20,000 at a full time job, I don't think $85,000 annually is unreasonable.","speaker":"I"},{"t":3030,"text":"If anything, I find it intuitively on the low end. So just my thoughts.","speaker":"I"},{"t":3035,"text":"Councillor Boardman, thank you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3038,"text":"Given where we are in this term and sort of the standardized methodology that we're using, I would, I would support this but I would like to take some time early in the next term if I'm still here, to look at other options for moving forward and not waiting until the last minute minute to do that.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3054,"text":"So in year one or year two, I would like to have a really fulsome look at this if I am privileged to be sitting here.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3061,"text":"Thank you Councillor Morrison.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3064,"text":"So the other thing in there, there's a question in the report about, and to Councillor, directly to Councillor Armour's point, defining the Mayor's role appropriately as either part time or full time.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3075,"text":"And I don't know again I think just there's need to be some very clear policy that the expectation. It's funny even to call it full time. It's more like a all time commitment.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3087,"text":"Like there's no downtime for being mayor. You're on 247 essentially. It's not like you sign off at the end of the workday or what have you. So I do think that there needs to be clear policy.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3100,"text":"Job description is maybe not the right word, but around expectation that whoever becomes the mayor, just as you've been your worship, it is a full time commitment with, you know, the expectations that follow with any kind of full time commitment, that you are at municipal hall, that you are available regularly, that you're not having another full time job, that's your main occupation while being mayor.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3123,"text":"All those sort of requirements I think need to be put into some policy and that would help again explain to the public why the salary is what it is. And to Councillor Armour's point, you're right, it is probably.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3136,"text":"You look at some of these other salaries that are six figures in communities very similar to ourselves and I look at the councilor salaries being very high in some of those municipalities.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3148,"text":"I don't know how they can justify that. I certainly couldn't justify it here.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3152,"text":"But with the mayor's pay, I think it is very much reflective of what is a full time job with incredible responsibility, responsibilities that go along with that full time commitment. So I just wanted to say that.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3166,"text":"Thank you, Councillor Bream.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3169,"text":"You know, not a ton more to add except having gone through this more times than I can count now. It is, it is hard. Is there another way to look at it?","speaker":"K"},{"t":3180,"text":"And there is possibly now is not the time to do it. It's, it's too late in the game. I do feel that the roles, both mayor and councillor have changed and evolved over the 18 years.","speaker":"K"},{"t":3193,"text":"You know, social media, the engagement requirements that our residents see from us or require from us is a lot more. It's not as simple as it used to be.","speaker":"K"},{"t":3204,"text":"And if you look at it based on, as Councillor Cavins talked about with looking at what is the, the median wage of our community, I don't think we're that far off with, with these for what they are.","speaker":"K"},{"t":3217,"text":"So for those, you know, for those reasons, you know, I will vote vote for it. But I'm happy to, you know, discuss and think of possibly other ways.","speaker":"K"},{"t":3227,"text":"But I think so far I don't think this is the worst way we could do it.","speaker":"K"},{"t":3238,"text":"I think that how we have done it in the past is we have had good process and that's important. You don't jump in without a good process and just make some determinations.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3254,"text":"We've seen what that has done at other council tables.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3259,"text":"So whether you want to make changes to that process and do it early in the next term, that's a great idea to really look at it so you don't get to the, the very last few meetings and, and you're scrambling to, to have the data to make the decisions.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3284,"text":"This community demands that you are all present, that the mayor is present at events and, and answering and, and I know that that that is what you're getting paid for and community also has a way of firing you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3303,"text":"So it's to do the very best job and remuneration is sometimes just not enough. But it's love of community as well. So I'm going to call the question. All those in favor? Any opposed? None opposed. None opposed.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3322,"text":"Motions carried. We are down to development variance permit application 646 Head Street.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3339,"text":"Thank you your worship.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3341,"text":"Before you tonight is a development variance permit application at 646 Head street to allow three driveways instead of the permitted amount of up to two driveways for a corner lot per the township subdivision development servicing bylaw.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3356,"text":"The advisory planning commission considered this application on June 16th and recommended approval. Staff do not support the requested variance due to the potential impacts on pedestrian and on street parking.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3368,"text":"Staff are here for any question and the applicant is also here with a presentation.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3375,"text":"Okay, we'll first of all go to staff for questions. So any questions for staff at this point? Councillor Cavins, I would just like to","speaker":"B"},{"t":3384,"text":"understand a little more the staff recommendation.","speaker":"M"},{"t":3387,"text":"I understand the technical bits that it relates to the MMCD design guidelines, but really want to understand why this is the way it is and if there are any details you can provide on that.","speaker":"M"},{"t":3404,"text":"Through the chair.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3405,"text":"What staff are trying to do is really limit the amount of driveways overall as every time a pedestrian has to cross a driveway it's a point of conflict with vehicles which is a dangerous, the most vulnerable that pedestrians are in same with intersections.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3427,"text":"So in general staff are trying to limit those conflicts. We look to MMCD as a guideline for the amount of crossings recommended.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3437,"text":"Historically as pointed out in the staff report, there have been other numbers approved on various developments throughout the township and staff have been making an effort to be consistent on that approach so that we're trying to be, you know, in line with what MMCD recommends per the bylaw and making it fair to the applicants.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3464,"text":"So there's a consistent approach really with the intent though of trying to reduce the number of conflicts with pedestrians and vehicles","speaker":"H"},{"t":3477,"text":"and just to Be clear, should we grant the variance tonight that doesn't create a precedent in any way for any. Anything else that staff would continue to","speaker":"M"},{"t":3485,"text":"do the same way through the chair?","speaker":"J"},{"t":3487,"text":"That's correct. But any, you know, any additional guidance or direction from council could be provided. This is the first time that this type of variance has come. Come to council.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3502,"text":"So if there is any further direction, staff would, would, would be receptive to that.","speaker":"H"},{"t":3511,"text":"Councillor Armour, and this is sort of","speaker":"B"},{"t":3515,"text":"a comment, so I'm trying to put it as a question, just noting where the development is. It's on Head street, up from the crosswalk from across Victor Boudor.","speaker":"I"},{"t":3524,"text":"And so it's sort of on the pathway to the other school on Lamson.","speaker":"I"},{"t":3529,"text":"Is the fact that there would be a number of students navigating across those driveways, does that sort of heighten your concern around the additional potential pedestrian impact","speaker":"I"},{"t":3541,"text":"through the chair? We do work with Victor Bordeaux quite frequently with Ready Step Roll and we did take that into account, thinking a lot of pedestrians did use that size and the mid block crossing. Every site is specific.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3555,"text":"In this case, you do have the intersection nearby. Head street is also a collector road, but it is actually quite a minor collector road. There isn't as many vehicles using it as, let's say, Colville.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3568,"text":"And we'll also have future bikeway works either on Head Street. That may change how Head operates as well.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3577,"text":"If there are no further questions.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3579,"text":"Councillor Morrison, just to build on that question. So in the report you referenced the township's active transportation network plan identifies pedestrian comfort. And so this is not a standalone type of consideration. Right. Is that is what your.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3593,"text":"If I understood your response to Councillor Armour is that we are.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3598,"text":"When anything's coming forward now in terms of road access or car activity, interjecting with sidewalks and pedestrians, we're always trying to avoid as many of those contact points as possible. Is that essentially because I just.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3611,"text":"In fairness to the, to the proponent here, I want to make sure that we're not singling them out, that this is going to be.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3620,"text":"If more of these are coming forward and more scenarios like this, we would always side with the pedestrian safety side through the chair.","speaker":"A"},{"t":3629,"text":"It is always a consideration where we would start at a single driveway and there are provisions in the MMCD guidelines that allow for additional accesses, but we do take into consideration where those accesses are and its effects on our roadways and the pedestrian safety.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3645,"text":"Councilor Boardman,","speaker":"B"},{"t":3648,"text":"thank you. So I'm looking at. I don't know what slide.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3652,"text":"This is the project overview slide number five and it looks to me like the driveway going on to Head street will just access one of the duplexes and then the other three suites would come off Briden Court in this configuration.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3667,"text":"So if this was changed somehow to have only one entrance on Head street, then there'd be four homes worth of vehicles going in and out of Head street rather than some of them coming onto the smaller side street.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3682,"text":"So would that, would that increase the safety issues if they were all funneled out onto Head street rather than this","speaker":"N"},{"t":3690,"text":"through the chair or by law or our, our preference, and I believe that it is supported by bylaw, is that it would have to go on the lower designation street. So it would be on Bryden street.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3700,"text":"Or if it, let's say in another example, if it was on a major or collector road, our preference would be on a collector road.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3707,"text":"Okay, so your preference would be one driveway on Brydon, if that's possible with that because it's a funny shaped lot. Right.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3714,"text":"So through the chair there are other considerations, but that would be our baseline review.","speaker":"F"},{"t":3719,"text":"Okay, thanks.","speaker":"N"},{"t":3721,"text":"Are we ready for a presentation from the proponent? We look forward to a presentation. Welcome, Zenya. Thank you. This is working.","speaker":"B"},{"t":3734,"text":"This is working.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3737,"text":"Hi everyone.","speaker":"K"},{"t":3739,"text":"Taking time today to review this application. My name is Ksenia. I'm the architect for this project and I'm going to run through some of these slides quickly. Yeah, so across the street from the school.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3755,"text":"Important point here is that Brighton Court is a dead end street so the traffic on it is limited. The property in its current state already has two driveway access points off of Brighton.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3771,"text":"So roughly approximately in the same locations where we propose two new driveways also be. Oh yeah. So there you go. This is just a quick overview of the project. I'll actually go back to that if I need to.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3789,"text":"But two duplex buildings, four street oriented homes, all three bedroom units, two story supports the goals of the official community plan. Now onto the site.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3801,"text":"It is a funny shape lot that was difficult to work with to begin with. Just how it narrows.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3810,"text":"And then in addition to that, we were requested to provide street road dedication on both sides, which while seems kind of narrow for a project of this size, is not insignificant in terms of impact of how I could lay out the site.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3830,"text":"My client, who's not here today, Dr. Adrienne Carpenter, was really hoping for a traditional townhome style where you pull in into your own driveway, you park your car, you enter your front door.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3846,"text":"Three front doors are facing Brighton, one facing Head Street.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3850,"text":"As far as townhomes are concerned, this is you Know they all have a fairly large yards and the one facing Head street has a side yard and a bit of a backyard.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3866,"text":"So just for clarity, this project could, would not need any variances in its current form. If we didn't propose, if we didn't ask for that one extra driveway off of Brighton.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3880,"text":"So everything else about this project follows the bylaw. Landscaping, biodiversity, something something. I'm not a landscape architect. I trust that Chris who was here earlier did a good job. He always does.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3895,"text":"This is what the duplex looks like or both duplexes look like in elevations. I can also come back to that. I just really want to speak to this variance first.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3910,"text":"So in above is novariance and then below is variance asking for this, for this one driveway. This is an engineering bylaw so lots are allowed one driveway. Only corner lots such as this one are allowed two.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3927,"text":"So we would be allowed Brighton and Head street one each. We're requesting one additional one to propose two more parking stalls for. Sorry one official but tandem parking. Functionally two new parking stalls for unit four.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3944,"text":"This bylaw is fairly new. My own project at 633 Nelson street on the right, it's been built two and a half years ago as you can tell was still allowed to do that. The bylaw changed since then.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3962,"text":"And then on the left is, is an Oak Bay brand new building and interestingly enough Oak Bay went the other way where they adjusted their driveway by law to allow for this familiar kind of you pull into your driveway and open your garage door and enter.","speaker":"P"},{"t":3984,"text":"So I completely understand the, the intent of removing as many driveway access points as we can and totally makes sense for larger projects and completely makes sense such that you can't just propose a full parking, you know, eight kind of parking stalls off of any street and have it all paved.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4008,"text":"But for these smaller projects it is. It would be really limiting if we could only work with one driveway. So I do think more applications are coming.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4021,"text":"I myself know of two that are coming forward of a similar layout. So it would be helpful if council could comment on the overall concept here as well. So yeah, not much left to say.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4038,"text":"This is, this is what they look like from all sides. A lot of sides because it's two buildings. And then. Yeah. Questions?","speaker":"P"},{"t":4048,"text":"I'm just going to go back to this site plan because that sort of where the variance is.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4057,"text":"Are there questions Council,","speaker":"B"},{"t":4061,"text":"do you happen to know length of that of the frontages on Bryden Rough?","speaker":"M"},{"t":4069,"text":"I think it's 100 500.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4071,"text":"It's like a regular law, just sideways basically With a bit of a taper which added complications and sorry, can I just mention as well, unfortunately two letters of support were submitted a while ago, but somehow didn't make it to the late items agenda.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4089,"text":"And I just wanted to make sure that I do mention them. So someone from 610 Brighton Court and someone from 625 Brighton Court. I have two letters of support here. I don't want to overstate the supportiveness of them.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4106,"text":"They're speaking strictly to this variance that brings more parking to the street.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4111,"text":"So nothing about the overall project, just strictly to this variance that they're saying they would like a project that bring a variation of this project that brings as much off street parking as possible.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4127,"text":"Councillor Morrison?","speaker":"B"},{"t":4129,"text":"Yeah, the same question as Councillor Cabin, but thank you for the presentation. Maybe what I'll just. So we're clear, so if the variance was not approved that.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4138,"text":"Yeah.","speaker":"J"},{"t":4140,"text":"With the variance requests light. Yeah. So that red area, if that was not approved, would an option be to physically move unit four over into the red area and then you'd have the central.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4154,"text":"But then that means the trees are now impacted.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4157,"text":"No, my setback that's. I am at maximum allowed setback, so I can't move the building forth.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4163,"text":"Okay. So really there's no alternative as you pointed out.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4168,"text":"And it wouldn't also. So I'm also maxing out my allowable driveway width. So for those two people are sharing, it's counted as one driveway. But I can't add to it anymore.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4179,"text":"Like it couldn't be three parking stalls in a row basically because I would be over that way. So either way would be a variance","speaker":"P"},{"t":4187,"text":"because you describe those as tandem driveways, right?","speaker":"A"},{"t":4190,"text":"Parking.","speaker":"F"},{"t":4190,"text":"Yeah.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4191,"text":"So it's hard to tell by the drawing, but they're basically the size of one car. Yeah. Okay. All right, so just so we're really clear again sorry, with this the way you explained it.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4203,"text":"So unit four would potentially, potentially not have a driveway then.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4208,"text":"Yeah. If this variance is not granted, then unit four would have street. Would occupy a street parking spot and that's it.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4216,"text":"Okay. And sorry, could just. In terms of design, are they all. All units exactly the same, like family size buildings or.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4225,"text":"Yeah, they're very similar. So this one. So as you can tell like where is it would be a good one.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4231,"text":"Sorry, here it's not like unit four is a smaller.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4234,"text":"No, unit four is not smaller. It's. Yeah, the three of them, they're all basically within 50 square feet of each other or something like that. They're all three bedroom units, family sized.","speaker":"P"},{"t":4244,"text":"Yep, I see.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4246,"text":"Okay.","speaker":"I"},{"t":4247,"text":"And I just want to be clear because we got correspondence regarding Head street, but that's not in question here at all. Like maybe it's clear for your staff, but we.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4258,"text":"Because I guess there was some public confusion around the variance perhaps on that one. All right, thank you, Councillor Boardman.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4268,"text":"My question was just answered.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4269,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"I"},{"t":4270,"text":"Okay, Any further questions for the proponent? All right. Seeing none, Council, Councilor brain.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4279,"text":"I'm going to move that council approve the development variance permit number D EVP00186 for 646 Head street for the additional driveway access for a proposed small scale multi unit housing development for the reasons that Bry didn't.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4301,"text":"Okay, you can stop there.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4302,"text":"Okay, good.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4303,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4303,"text":"Because I.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4304,"text":"Is there a second?","speaker":"B"},{"t":4305,"text":"I'll second.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4306,"text":"Thank you. All right. Now you can provide motivation and reasoning. So","speaker":"B"},{"t":4312,"text":"as being one of the council liaisons for the apc, the Advisory Planning Commission, they had discussions there and even they, you know, to the comment of the more off street parking we can get, the better.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4326,"text":"And the fact that Brydon Court is a small dead end street.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4330,"text":"If it had been two on Head Street, I think there might have been more of a concern than there is on Head having two on bride and court. So for those reasons I will be in favor.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4344,"text":"Thank you, Councillor Morrison.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4346,"text":"Yeah, like Councillor Brahm, I also had the benefit of being at the advisory Planning Commission and seeing their discussion on this, you know, I'm somewhat torn because I understand, I think staff and the policy that staff are quoting is very valid in terms of what?","speaker":"A"},{"t":4366,"text":"You know, wanting to make sure that sidewalks and pedestrian movement is interrupted as least as possible from vehicle in going in and out, crossing those sidewalks and pedestrian ways.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4378,"text":"Like Councillor Bram said, I think that would be more of a problem on Head Street. Brighton is more just a local, very quiet, you know, dead end street.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4390,"text":"Yeah, there's not a lot of walk through traffic in terms of pedestrians compared to Head street and the school that's there and wanting to walk down to access Esquimo Road and everything else.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4405,"text":"So I think that the problem we would create if we didn't allow the variance is that we would have all sorts of parking disputes on the road between neighbors and people wanting to essentially occupy the on street parking spots as their home parking.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4423,"text":"And that could get really awkward quite quickly. This would address. This would prevent that by allowing the unit 4 to have its own dedicated driveway parking space.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4435,"text":"Yeah, but again, I think, as I said earlier in my questions, I think staff are correct to be wanting to protect pedestrian walkways as much as possible. And that's certainly in line with our active transportation strategies as well.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4453,"text":"Thank you. Discussion. Councillor Cavins.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4459,"text":"Yeah, I agree with my colleagues on this one and I think it's. First, I won't repeat what they said because I agree with them.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4467,"text":"I think we're in this point where we're trying to figure out these smooth buildings and looking at different variations.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4473,"text":"What this approach does is cuts out a lot of if we didn't do this and they wanted the same number of parking spaces, they would have to have a driveway going into the backyard and getting rid of the backyards.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4486,"text":"And so when I look at what's being proposed here, it's two story, no garages. If you start shifting that away, you end up in three stories. Which neighbors have more issues with.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4497,"text":"This is a really great example of just trying out the parameters of what we're doing and seeing which one I asked about whether it's a precedent because I don't think this is a precedent.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4508,"text":"I think this is a particular lot that is basically the width of two standard size lots. So if this was turned the other way you would have that same number of driveways.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4518,"text":"And I just think right now as we're trying to figure out what SMU looks like in a squimalt, this is an acceptable approach.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4526,"text":"And maybe we have to think through what that means for parking because I think there's a conflict between density, height, green space and parking.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4534,"text":"And this is a pretty good solution compared to some of the other ones we've seen.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4539,"text":"Any further discussion? Councillor Boardman, thank you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4543,"text":"Yeah, I concur with my colleagues here. I appreciate the parameters of the bylaw and the rationale that are within that. But in this case I think that the benefits outweigh the risks.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4555,"text":"It takes cars off the street, it keeps some additional green space and there's no cut through on that street. So there's less risk for pedestrian traffic. And for those reasons I would be supportive of this.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4568,"text":"Councillor Armour?","speaker":"B"},{"t":4569,"text":"Yeah. Thank you. First of all, I should apologize. I realize now that I was mistaken earlier.","speaker":"I"},{"t":4574,"text":"I thought the additional driveway was on head, but it's unbratent and so it's a different dynamic and I was still uncertain but you know, arguments I've heard from my colleagues have convinced me. So thank you.","speaker":"I"},{"t":4586,"text":"Thank you. I will call the question. All those in favor and none opposed? Motion is carried. We're moving on to Subdivision 1219 Old Esquimont Road. Welcome back, Mr. Brown.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4621,"text":"Your worship, members of council, this is a little bit different than what you're normally used to. So this is a subdivision of a house that is half currently under construction.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4636,"text":"There is an existing single family dwelling with a suite. The owner is currently building has almost finished an additional dwelling unit. Once it has three dwelling units, it goes from a house with a suite to a shmue.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4655,"text":"So you're actually dealing with a shmu. The developer wants to create a building strata that will create two strata lots. One for the new building that's almost finished construction and one for the old building that contains a suite.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4674,"text":"Because the existing building with the suite is occupied, council becomes a subdivision approving authority. Now this part of the legislation was probably designed to prevent the strata subdivision of very large apartment buildings like 40, 50, 200 units.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4693,"text":"So that when those apartment units were stratified, somebody namely council was there to make sure that all issues of rental and displacement were taken care of. In this case, this is very small.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4709,"text":"It's probably not what the legislation was designed for, but it does catch this particular operation. This is not going to get rid of any rental accommodation.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4722,"text":"It will create two units for the owner and so the owner can then sell one unit or sell both units and create some more family orientated housing for the community. That is the basic of this application.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4742,"text":"Thank you. Questions?","speaker":"B"},{"t":4745,"text":"Councillor Morrison, Just to be clear, so the, the occupied unit is a 10, a rental tenant.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4750,"text":"So the existing house, the owner lives in the house.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4754,"text":"Okay.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4754,"text":"And there's a suite.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4756,"text":"And so there's a tenant in the suite.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4757,"text":"I don't know.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4758,"text":"No, no, there is, there's not. Okay, so, so.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4761,"text":"And the applicant is here.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4762,"text":"So the only person impacted here is the actual owner as an occupier Right now. No other tenants or anything?","speaker":"A"},{"t":4769,"text":"There's no other tenants.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4770,"text":"Okay, well this. Yeah, I'm ready to move the recommendation. Unless there's other questions.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4775,"text":"I have another question, then I'll come back.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4777,"text":"Sure.","speaker":"J"},{"t":4778,"text":"Councilor Boardman.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4780,"text":"So we're stratifying the buildings so they'll have like, they can have separate ownership. Will the lot be divided? Probably not in half because it's a funny shape lot. But will the lot be divided with those buildings?","speaker":"N"},{"t":4793,"text":"No, just the building and there will be common property as indicated on the attachment.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4800,"text":"Right, I'm looking here.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4802,"text":"Yeah, that's correct. It's common property. Yeah. The building?","speaker":"D"},{"t":4807,"text":"No.","speaker":"K"},{"t":4809,"text":"Oh, the lot. Okay.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4810,"text":"Yeah, yeah. So if I wanted to buy the new part that's just been built, it would, it would be like my own building with my own half a lot or thereabouts. Okay.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4827,"text":"Yeah,","speaker":"F"},{"t":4831,"text":"I'm gonna, I'm Gonna ask if you could come to the microphone because we have people in the online that can't hear unless you are at a microphone.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4840,"text":"Just for clarity. The strata plan calls it limited common property. So that is not dividing the property in half. Limited common property means it's strata property, but you have exclusive use to it.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4853,"text":"So this would create a building strata where one unit is your unit, the other unit is the other person's unit, but the.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4862,"text":"And the front is common property against all the Squamont Road and the lane side is limited common property.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4870,"text":"So.","speaker":"I"},{"t":4871,"text":"Okay, it's not a typical freehold and","speaker":"D"},{"t":4874,"text":"then there's private property for each of them.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4876,"text":"A limited common property is essentially private property.","speaker":"D"},{"t":4879,"text":"Yeah, okay, I understand that now. Thanks.","speaker":"N"},{"t":4881,"text":"Okay, while we have the proponent up, is there. Are there any questions for him? Thank you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4888,"text":"Okay.","speaker":"E"},{"t":4889,"text":"All right, I will go to Councillor Morrison.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4892,"text":"Okay, so I'll. I'll move them the. I have to read it out, right? In this case.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4899,"text":"Okay, so I'll move the staff recommendation that council acting as the approving authority pursuant to the Strata Property act, number one, approve the proposed strata subdivision of three dwelling units located at 12191217 Old Esquimont Road into two strata lots as indicated on appendix A of staff report DEV 26034.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4920,"text":"And number two, designate the mayor or acting mayor authority to sign all relevant documents on behalf of the approving authority.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4929,"text":"And I have a seconder. Thank you. And Councillor Morrison, do you wish to speak?","speaker":"B"},{"t":4935,"text":"No, I just think this, as councilor said, it's very unique situation. So.","speaker":"A"},{"t":4940,"text":"Okay. Any further discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? Any opposed? None opposed. Motions carried. Thank you very much. All right, we move down to Selkirk Avenue. Traffic analysis and engagement summaries.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4954,"text":"We could have organized that better for you guys.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4959,"text":"It's good to get the steps in through the chair. Staff are presenting this report to summarize the traffic findings, public feedback and recommendations in regards to traffic concerns in the Selkirk area.","speaker":"F"},{"t":4970,"text":"Staff are here if you have any questions.","speaker":"F"},{"t":4973,"text":"All right.","speaker":"L"},{"t":4974,"text":"Questions. Councillor Cavan. Just one.","speaker":"B"},{"t":4978,"text":"And I don't know if you have any influence over this, but as someone who was driving up there all the time and watching what was happening on Selkirk, Google Maps was always routing me down Selkirk.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4988,"text":"And for the record, I didn't follow the recommendation, but I was told to do that. And as soon as you put in the local traffic, only that stopped the next day.","speaker":"M"},{"t":4997,"text":"And I was curious if that is just it picking up the patterns or are you guys able to influence that","speaker":"M"},{"t":5003,"text":"in any way through the chair we noticed that the volume threshold had been triggered by Google Maps, which was then reporting it as traffic. So I subsequently reported it as a temporary closure to Google.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5017,"text":"So we do have some influence over that as a.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5021,"text":"Through the shared Google has the authority to approve it or not.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5026,"text":"Councilor Morrison, Sorry, just under communications engagement. It sounds like there's been a lot of engagement going on. There's some polarization, as you pointed out in your report.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5035,"text":"I'm guessing that's going to lead to now expectations on both sides or all sides of what's going to happen. You said in terms of communications engagement letters would go out instructing them about construction, but would they also.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5048,"text":"If this passes tonight, would you also communicate the decision that's that you. The recommendation that you've made to council and the decision that was made by council on this so that there's in a sense closure for everybody?","speaker":"A"},{"t":5061,"text":"You're not going to please everyone, obviously, but.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5063,"text":"But at least they know that they were listened to, that you put a lot of work into this report with the research you had available to you from public input and council made their decision based on your recommendation.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5077,"text":"And now next we'll be doing construction and this is what you can expect in terms of construction, but it just wasn't clear in the communications engagement that you would also do that first piece where you let them know the decision and then tell them about the construction impacts","speaker":"A"},{"t":5096,"text":"through the chair, if council wishes. So we could proceed with that. On typical projects that may not happen, but I think it could be a good step to close that, especially depending on the implementation schedule.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5108,"text":"If council went through.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5109,"text":"Yeah.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5110,"text":"I think if any of us were a Selkirk resident and we had, you know, been involved in the consultation, the next thing we knew is that there were just telling us about construction, but it wasn't explained what the construction decision was in terms of what they were wanting to have happen or not happen, depending what the case is.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5127,"text":"I think that part of the communication would be helpful to them. Thank you. And I'm sure we'll hear about it by via email to council. If people aren't happy with what you have to communicate either way.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5139,"text":"Councillor Heliwa and Boardman,","speaker":"B"},{"t":5145,"text":"I just wanted to.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5146,"text":"I wanted to make sure I'm picking up the right nuance in the staff report or if I'm accidentally putting words in your mouths, because we've received quite a bit of correspondence from homeowners along Selkirk and in the area particular to this issue.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5164,"text":"And it's been quite mixed in terms of whether or not they Want further interventions. And in reading your staff report, I'm seeing you got a similar, similar kind of response to some of the correspondence that you had sent.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5180,"text":"And in reading the options and the recommendation it is to advance traffic calming","speaker":"O"},{"t":5185,"text":"measures","speaker":"D"},{"t":5188,"text":"to reduce speeds, discourage cut off traffic while maintaining two way traffic access, it reads very much as we're doing a little bit more, but we're not going so far as doing really invasive traffic calming measures.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5202,"text":"And I just wanted to make sure I picked up that nuance","speaker":"O"},{"t":5208,"text":"through the chair.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5209,"text":"There was a large amount of correspondence back and forth, but staff did their best to come to an option that can maybe get us closer to that target and we can continue to collect data to see if we've met that goal or not without going to the full closure.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5225,"text":"Okay, that is a nuance that I am personally comfortable with. So thank you for trying to strike that right balance. But continue to track the information to see if there's tweaks in the future.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5235,"text":"Councillor Borgman, thank you.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5237,"text":"And just to build on that a little bit. So the specific measures that you've determined, we're going to move forward with or hopefully is a compromise.","speaker":"N"},{"t":5246,"text":"And have these specific measures been socialized with any of the residents or, or would them, if they're at home now or if they saw this report, would this be the first time they've seen that?","speaker":"N"},{"t":5260,"text":"Through the chair we proposed a single option being that focusing the over 500 letters that we sent out with multiple options could have been a lot harder potentially.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5271,"text":"But we did gain feedback from residents that we're actually proposing the yield points as an alternative. There are yield points on Lampson street between transfer and Craig Flower within close proximity.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5284,"text":"So it might be under treatment that the residents had already seen as well. But no, we did not follow up with a closure or next steps with this.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5295,"text":"So you feel pretty good that this will be acceptable to some of those","speaker":"N"},{"t":5299,"text":"residents anyway, through the chair, the temporary measures that we put in place acted as temporary yield points.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5306,"text":"The locations, if council approves this would be in a more permanent location, potentially removing some of the concerns that we heard from residents about access at the intersections.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5318,"text":"But I believe that it would be an implementation that we've already applied in the township that has reduced speeds and volumes.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5326,"text":"Okay. And lastly, do you have a plan to evaluate this, these mechanisms in a","speaker":"N"},{"t":5332,"text":"year or whatever through the chair? Over the last few years we have procured a radar traffic counter, so we have the ability to collect this data remotely without having to bring in third party contractors.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5343,"text":"This does take away or looking at a single location takes away from our overall township reviews, but we do have the ability to monitor it and we would continue to do so.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5354,"text":"Okay, great. Thank you.","speaker":"N"},{"t":5356,"text":"Any further questions? Councillor Calvins?","speaker":"B"},{"t":5360,"text":"So I was going to move the staff recommendation that council direct staff to advance traffic calming measures in local roadways north of Craig Flower Road and east of Tilakum Road to reduce speeds and discouraging cut through traffic while maintaining two way traffic access on Selkirk as described in staff report.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5375,"text":"Second,","speaker":"A"},{"t":5377,"text":"I just want to say how much I appreciate the report and the thoroughness and also the, the willingness to try something out.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5384,"text":"I think that's really great that we tried something and it sort of worked, but it was also a difficult time with the Bay Street Bridge closure.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5391,"text":"And I think I don't want this to give you second thoughts about trying things. I think it's a great way of doing it. The feedback was intense, at least for us.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5399,"text":"But I think this is the right decision and seeing how it's gone back to its pre bridge closure state, I think makes this make sense and I think this is great.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5408,"text":"So Councillor Morrison, just on when we communicate back to them what's happening and what to expect in terms of construction, but essentially the decision that's been made, as I spoke to earlier, I think it was, I think I just heard Councilor Boardman describe it as a compromise and I think that's, that's important to say that, you know, first, thanking the residents for all of their engagement and it was very valuable information.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5433,"text":"But it was not.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5434,"text":"There was no consensus, there was no clear, you know, we residents of Selkirk want option A, let's all do this and go ahead and proceed, that you had to take all of the information as all being valid and then you had to make your decision based on all of that input as to what would be the best path forward.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5455,"text":"And I think it is a compromise. And if you can somehow communicate that, perhaps our communications manager can help with word smithing. As I know engineers aren't. That's not necessarily your specialty, but you do really good correspondence.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5468,"text":"So I'm sure you'll find a way to describe it in a way that makes residents feel like they were hurt because they were hurt.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5476,"text":"And that's why we're going to have a compromise and not just one decision that doesn't please everybody.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5482,"text":"Right.","speaker":"E"},{"t":5482,"text":"So thank you.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5484,"text":"Any further discussion.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5486,"text":"I just feel compelled to add that since I've been at this table, that area has had challenges with cut through traffic and we have tried a number of things and so we continue to work through it, but it has some overall challenges that as you said, we need to convey to residents what we're doing and how we're doing it and not give up on it.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5529,"text":"I will call the question. All those in favor? Any opposed? None opposed. Motions carried. Development Variance Permit application for 721 Alderbury. Welcome.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5544,"text":"Thank you back.","speaker":"A"},{"t":5545,"text":"Thank you.","speaker":"F"},{"t":5550,"text":"You are members of council. Mrs. Defoe will go through this application. The applicant is here as well as our manager of economic development. Since this is a multi departmental department type of application.","speaker":"D"},{"t":5576,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. The","speaker":"G"},{"t":5580,"text":"variance permit to reduce the parking requirements at 721Aldbury.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5587,"text":"I don't have my button.","speaker":"I"},{"t":5595,"text":"Specifically two variances to the parking bylaw. 1.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5599,"text":"To reduce the number of vehicle parking spaces required for a new laboratory use, scientific laboratory use from 19 spaces to 11 spaces and to reduce the loading space requirement from one space to zero spaces.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5617,"text":"The location of the property is within the Esquimalt Business park but towards the perimeter of the location just next to where Prime Engineering had been located for a number of years.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5632,"text":"Indeed, prime had used some of this space as well. It does have interface with residential neighbors.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5641,"text":"You also will note of course it's an existing industrial warehouse style building and the area that is not occupied by building is fragmented and somewhat unusual shape.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5654,"text":"So the to change the use of an existing building to a use requiring more parking than the preceding use the new the parking that is required for the new use has to be provided.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5672,"text":"The layout from the applicant to show 11 spaces that could meet the parameters of the current parking bylaw is here including one accessible space, two small spaces and the rest of the 11 as standard spaces.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5690,"text":"Originally there would have been a loading space approximately in the location of where spaces numbered as 1 and 2 are located and in order to have parking spaces there, it can't be used as a loading space space.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5709,"text":"You'll notice in this site plan and the applicant I believe we'll be going more into this. There is indoor bike storage and end of trip facilities for people commuting by bike.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5725,"text":"They did provide a parking study which identified some traffic demand management methods to to reduce the practical need of parking to the 11.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5736,"text":"That included contribution to the BC Transit EcoPass program amounting to 20% space reduction and 13 long term bicycle parking spaces as well.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5748,"text":"To reduce it to that number, the applicant Furthermore in the documents attached in Appendix C are outlining additional methods beyond the TDM measures by the engineering firm to just additionally show the commitment to that.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5765,"text":"So staff do recommend that council approve development variance permit 00188 for essentially reasons that the Scientific Laboratory is a use that is anticipated and promoted almost by the official community plan policies and also because appropriate traffic demand measurements measures have been proposed.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5788,"text":"Thank you. Are there questions for staff, Councillor Cavins? Then Councillor Brain, Just curious what actually","speaker":"B"},{"t":5793,"text":"triggered the need for the development variance permit? There are lots of businesses in the area that have changed use and have bizarre parking arrangements. I'm just curious why this one got triggered.","speaker":"M"},{"t":5805,"text":"Thank you. And through you, Mayor. That is a. That is a good question. With the adoption of Parking Bylaw 2025 Number 3089, it introduced a provision for change of use that the preceding parking bylaw did not have.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5819,"text":"I'd alluded to that early in what I was speaking to.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5823,"text":"Where a building or part of a building is proposed to change a use to a use that requires more parking, the property needs to be upgraded to be able to meet or upgraded is perhaps not the right word but they need to be able to demonstrate that the parking byler requirements for the new use are satisfied.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5845,"text":"This is something that for business license applications development services staff had to have had to look at. This is perhaps just the first one that's coming for variants.","speaker":"J"},{"t":5857,"text":"Councilor Bram, not a question but for","speaker":"B"},{"t":5859,"text":"context because the APCs comments on this did not make it into this, this agenda item.","speaker":"K"},{"t":5866,"text":"So I just have their comments, their motion approve and to support the variance basically because it is supporting light industrial uses and this type of investment.","speaker":"K"},{"t":5877,"text":"It looks like they've invested a lot of time and thought into the parking strategy.","speaker":"K"},{"t":5884,"text":"Thank you Councillor Helliwa.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5887,"text":"I don't want to short circuit the process but I would be happy to make the recommendation now.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5892,"text":"I will accept that and if I get a seconder and then we can ask for questions as well Seconders. Councillor Armour,","speaker":"B"},{"t":5901,"text":"my motion is verbatim what is written?","speaker":"O"},{"t":5904,"text":"Oh come on,","speaker":"L"},{"t":5907,"text":"read it out.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5909,"text":"The council approves the development variance permit application DVP 00188 to reduce the minimum required parking space and loading space supply for the Scientific laboratory business at 721 Alderbury street for the variances outlined in staff report number DEV 26028.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5928,"text":"Thank you. Now you can motivate if you wish.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5933,"text":"I think some of our conversation and the staff presentation was motivation. I appreciated the question from Councillor Cavins because I was wondering as well, and I particularly think they did.","speaker":"O"},{"t":5944,"text":"I appreciate the process they went through to have the traffic study and to put in some TDM and I think it's very supportable and I welcome them","speaker":"O"},{"t":5955,"text":"to Esquemal, Councillor Boardman. Oh, I. Apologies, Councillor Armour. And then board.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5965,"text":"Yeah, I. I echo what Councillor Heliwell said. I also just want to highlight what was said in the staff report from the economic development perspective.","speaker":"I"},{"t":5975,"text":"And that approval would support the retention of 34 permanent scientific and technical positions in Greater Victoria, including biologists, automatonists, environmental sciences and technical technical staff.","speaker":"I"},{"t":5985,"text":"This and as also noted, their relocation complements our Esquimault's broader marine, maritime, environmental stewardship economy. So just to me, this is a wonderful economic development story too.","speaker":"I"},{"t":5997,"text":"Councillor Boardman.","speaker":"B"},{"t":5998,"text":"Thank you. Just briefly, I would like to welcome this business to Esquimalt and I applaud their commitment to alternative modes of transportation and employee wellness.","speaker":"N"},{"t":6007,"text":"Thank you, Councillor Cavan.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6009,"text":"I just want to thank the applicant for sticking out to the end. And we all saw the. We all saw their presentation and looked","speaker":"M"},{"t":6016,"text":"at it and so just.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6017,"text":"It is Council. I've had the opportunity to hear from the proponent and I think it would be wonderful if we would have her come forward and just speak to the company that is proposing this.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6032,"text":"Sorry to put you on the spot, but you didn't have to do your other presentation. I almost got off the hook.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6043,"text":"No, thank you very much for your support. I'm really proud of Biologica. It's a taxonomy laboratory.","speaker":"P"},{"t":6051,"text":"So we identify and enumerate organisms belonging to lower trophic levels that support the base of our feet food chain, so invertebrates and algae. And we're actually one of the largest","speaker":"P"},{"t":6066,"text":"in North America with 34 people.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6068,"text":"It doesn't take much because we're such a niche business, but we're really special.","speaker":"P"},{"t":6075,"text":"And I think we are unique in","speaker":"B"},{"t":6077,"text":"Canada and we really have a really big job ahead of us because taxonomists, the people who identify these organisms, really","speaker":"P"},{"t":6087,"text":"are a dying breed.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6088,"text":"And so it's my commitment to train young people and keep this science going","speaker":"P"},{"t":6093,"text":"and sovereign to Canada.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6095,"text":"So that's us. So thank you for your welcome to Esquimalt. We're really happy to be investing here.","speaker":"P"},{"t":6103,"text":"Thank you very much. And I'm going to call the question. All those in favor? Anybody opposed? None opposed. Motions carried.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6113,"text":"I do want to add as an afterthought that the idea of coupling the planning work with economic development is really helpful to council and I think you heard it in the comments around the table.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6130,"text":"So kudos to staff for coupling it so that we get that full understanding of the benefit of. Of a development proposal coming forward. Thank you very much. All right, we are now down to bylaws.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6147,"text":"Not subject to a public hearing. And this is the tax prepayment plan bylaw.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6156,"text":"Thank you, your worship. So the township already has a prepayment plan. It's our PAWS program. But what we don't have is a formal bylaw that outlines how interest is earned and how payments are treated before the tax deadline.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6170,"text":"And so this is going to formalize that process as well as allow us to provide some benefits to our taxpayers with regards to their tax payments and any refunds that they may be owed.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6185,"text":"Are there questions? Go ahead.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6188,"text":"Councillor Hallowell, I was just curious if there's anything in here that isn't sort of standard practice already or if it's really codified how you've approached it through the chair.","speaker":"O"},{"t":6196,"text":"So there are a couple of things that this will allow us to do is currently the PAUSE program collects 10 equal monthly payments with an outstanding balance. More often than not that's due on the tax deadline.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6207,"text":"Typically we've contacted individual taxpayers to remind them that there is an amount owed. They have to make an initial payment for the balance.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6214,"text":"What this will allow us to do is it will allow us to formalize, communicate with the people who are in the program that the last payment that is owed to the township of their balance will be automatically removed on the tax deadline day.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6227,"text":"The second thing it will allow us to do is if there is an overpayment based on the monthly amount that's calculated and any interest that's earned that it exceeds the amount of taxes by the end of the July each year, we will be refunding those amounts directly back to the taxpayer before we recalculate the next year.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6243,"text":"So two things that we don't currently do, but this will allow us to kind of formulate those specific things that we're planning on adding to the program.","speaker":"J"},{"t":6255,"text":"Thank you. And is there a seconder second? Thank you. And I'll ask you again to read it out because it is a council","speaker":"B"},{"t":6261,"text":"give first, second and third reading to Tax Prepayment Plan Bylaw 2026, number 3186.","speaker":"O"},{"t":6267,"text":"Thank you. And do you want to speak to it any further?","speaker":"B"},{"t":6270,"text":"Just my thanks to the efficiency of accountants, keeping the recommendation short for reading.","speaker":"O"},{"t":6275,"text":"Thank you, Councilor Brain.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6277,"text":"And I didn't know about this, so I'm very excited and I think we should make an announcement on our website because I'd like to know how to sign up.","speaker":"K"},{"t":6286,"text":"Okay. Any further discussion? Councillor Morrison?","speaker":"B"},{"t":6290,"text":"Like I don't know when our next is, I guess would be the. Probably the fall is the next newsletter that we send out to everybody. This would be. Information would be in there, Is that right? I would hope.","speaker":"A"},{"t":6300,"text":"Because to Councilor Bram's point, there's a lot of people who would, like, normally even do the deferred taxes, but that wasn't a good option for a lot of people because of the changes.","speaker":"A"},{"t":6310,"text":"First of all, we'll adopt it and then we'll go from there. But I saw Mr. Horan nodding and whenever the next might be a good","speaker":"B"},{"t":6319,"text":"idea, the next newsletter comes out. Yeah.","speaker":"A"},{"t":6321,"text":"All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? None opposed. Motions carried. We're down to public comment, period.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6330,"text":"And this is on any topic that impacts the squamult, except agenda items and matters that will or have been the subject of a public hearing. Are there any members of the public that wish to come forward?","speaker":"B"},{"t":6346,"text":"Are there any members of the public that wish to speak? I'm calling a third and final time and not seeing anyone. I want to thank you, audience for staying with us tonight. I think we were very efficient.","speaker":"B"},{"t":6363,"text":"And I want to congratulate council on having three meetings in a night. And we're done by nine. Motion to adjourn. Thank you. All those in favor and none opposed? Motions carried. Safe travels home, everybody.","speaker":"B"}],"words":14749,"fetchedAt":"2026-10-03T04:54:33.623Z"}