The most consequential decision was to delay a vote on Highlands’ proposed limit on principal dwelling size after councillors heard that many affected property owners felt they had not received enough notice. Council backed an open house, mailed notices to affected owners and another public hearing on June 15, 2026; the bylaw’s third reading and adoption were deferred to that meeting. BC Transit’s presentation also exposed a sharp local concern: Highlands contributes about $500,000 a year to regional transit but has only limited local service, and the transit planners said they would improve public information and examine service options. Council also supported a Habitat Acquisition Trust funding application and received the West Shore RCMP’s first-quarter report.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council approved the meeting agenda as presented.
Routine: approve the agenda for this meeting as presented.
BC Transit planners described a 25-year plan for the Victoria region, including faster and more frequent service on busy corridors and a review of lower-ridership routes. In Highlands, the current service is limited: local HandyDART connects to commuter Route 47 once in the morning and once in the evening, and planners reported only one or two riders on the service. They said clearer online information is being prepared and that they will examine whether on-demand service or other changes could better meet rural communities’ needs. Councillors questioned why Highlands contributes roughly $500,000 a year despite having so little local service; a councillor also described unsuccessful attempts to use the existing service and argued for a direct connection or park-and-ride. BC Transit said regional funding is shared across 13 municipalities, and that reliability and crowding on core routes must be addressed before major expansion; it invited the District to raise concerns about the funding model with the province.
Council adopted the May 4 minutes after a councillor noted that staff had corrected the record to show her opposition to two motions. Staff confirmed the corrected minutes had been uploaded to the agenda.
Routine: adopt the minutes of the May 4, 2026 Council meeting.
A councillor reported that the Water Commission’s roughly $2-billion asset-management plan is being used as a trial for a broader Capital Regional District planning approach covering water and wastewater assets. A councillor also flagged that funding for a youth and family counselling grant is due to end on September 30, 2026; a replacement grant application is pending, leaving uncertainty about continued support for the regional mobile youth services team.
Council agreed to provide Habitat Acquisition Trust with a letter supporting its Green Municipal Fund project. A councillor asked whether the request involved funding from the District; the discussion indicated it was for a letter of support, not a funding commitment.
Send Habitat Acquisition Trust a letter supporting its Green Municipal Fund project described in its May 13 letter to the District.
Council received the West Shore Royal Canadian Mounted Police first-quarter report. The transcript records no discussion of the report’s contents.
Routine: receive the West Shore RCMP’s first-quarter 2026 report for information.
Instead of taking the scheduled vote on third reading and adoption, Council chose more public engagement. Councillors said affected owners had not had enough notice or a clear chance to understand the proposed size limit; the approved approach included an open house, mailed notice to affected property owners and a further public hearing on June 15, 2026. A councillor defended the bylaw as a way to protect Highlands’ ecosystems and give the District tools to address land-use pressures. Others raised concerns about property restrictions and whether residents had enough information. Council deferred third reading and adoption to June 15.
Add a requirement to notify affected property owners by mail about both the open house and the additional public hearing.
Hold another public hearing on June 15, 2026, and an open house beforehand about the proposed limits on principal dwelling size. Mail affected property owners notice of both events.
Put off further consideration of the bylaw’s third reading and adoption until the June 15, 2026 Council meeting.
Staff disclosed a contract for cleaning the Eagles Lake washroom, which must be made public because a council member is involved in undertaking the contract. A councillor asked about a proposed $10 increase in the weekly fee. The discussion described the new fee as $180 a week, but the transcript then gives an unclear seasonal cost estimate. No contract decision was recorded.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Routine: adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
All 8 decisions from the minutes appear under the agenda items above.