Council rejected the zoning change that would have allowed the owners of 119 Ross Durrance Road to apply for a temporary use permit, ending the proposed July public-hearing process. The decision followed a sharply divided discussion: opponents focused on effects on neighbours, road safety, water and the Green Belt, while supporters argued that nature education and stewardship fit the Highlands’ long-term goals and that a temporary permit could test safeguards. Council also advanced new park-use fees, added free permits for school groups, and sent parks and recreation issues—including the riding ring—to further discussion. It supported a resolution seeking a fairer regional transit tax for rural municipalities that receive little or no service.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council received the Ombudsperson’s quarterly report. The chair described it as showing a “clean bill of health”; no concerns were raised in the discussion.
Agreement
Council supported receiving the report.
Carried 7 to 02026-132Item 6.21:24:20 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the Ombudsperson's quarterly report covering January through March 2026.
Official wording: That the Office of the Ombudsperson Quarterly Report of January 1 to March 31, 2026 be received.
Council received the committee’s 2025 annual report. In response to a question, a councillor described grants supporting the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society to clear a waiting list of about 70 young people and Human Nature Counseling’s youth program focused on anxiety and coping skills.
Agreement
Council supported receiving the annual report.
Carried 7 to 02026-133Item 6.31:28:22 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the committee chair's letter and the committee's 2025 annual report.
Official wording: That letter from the Chair of the Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee dated May 19, 2026 and the 2025 Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee Annual Report be received.
Council received Central Saanich’s request for dedicated provincial funding for municipalities required to meet housing targets. No substantive debate is captured.
Carried 7 to 02026-134Item 6.41:29:12 Watch · Read
Routine: receive Central Saanich's letter asking for dedicated provincial funding for municipalities that meet mandated housing targets.
Official wording: That the letter dated May 26, 2026 from the District of Central Saanich regarding a Request for Dedicated Provincial Funding to Support Municipalities That Achieve Provincially Mandated Housing Targets be received.
Councillors raised concerns that the draft plan’s response deadline was June 4, leaving little time to review it. They also said its Twinflower Park section omitted a small basketball court, suggested field expansion that one councillor considered unworkable, and failed to note nearby wetland, riparian and wildlife areas. Council members supported seeking an overview of the plan and asking for more time for feedback.
Agreement
The draft needed closer review and its short response deadline was a concern.
Council members supported seeking a clearer overview of the plan.
Carried 7 to 02026-135Item 6.51:36:24 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the invitation for the public to review and comment on the draft facilities plan through an online survey.
Official wording: That the email dated May 21, 2026 from the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society inviting the public to review and provide feedback on the Draft Facilities Master Plan through an online survey be received.
Council discussed the value of provincial climate-action funding and whether another program might replace it. Staff said they knew of no replacement funding. The District has used the money for culvert work, local-area planning and greening projects. Council agreed to write to the Province thanking it for the program and asking that support continue.
Agreement
The District uses the funding and values it.
Council supported asking the Province to continue the program.
Carried 7 to 02026-136Item 6.61:39:49 Watch · Read
Send the Province a letter thanking it for the climate action program funding and asking it to continue supporting the program.
Official wording: That a letter be sent to the Province expressing appreciation for the BC Local Government Climate Action Program funding and requesting their consideration to continue supporting the program.
7.1 Rezoning Application RZ-01-26 119 Ross Durrance Road
zoning development19 public speakers1:39:49 Watch · Read
The proposed bylaw would have added 119 Ross Durrance Road to the properties where Council may consider a temporary use permit; it would not itself change the property’s zoning or permitted uses. If approved, the next step would have been a public hearing on July 6. Public speakers and councillors debated whether the proposed nature programs could fit the site and whether temporary conditions could address concerns. Opponents pointed to reported past problems, loss of neighbour trust, traffic on the narrow road, water and septic capacity, impacts on Peas Creek and Peas Lake, and the risk of setting a precedent for commercial activity in Green Belt land. Supporters cited the value of outdoor education and land stewardship, alignment with the Official Community Plan, and the opportunity to test a narrower, time-limited proposal. Council defeated the readings, so the July hearing could not proceed and the rezoning application did not move forward.
Agreement
The outdoor education program was valued by supporters and opponents alike; the central dispute was its location and land-use impacts.
Neighbours’ concerns about the effects of earlier activity at the property and the loss of trust were part of the debate.
Disagreement
Opponents argued that the proposed scale of activity, vehicle trips and possible water and environmental impacts were not suitable for this Green Belt site or its road.
Supporters argued that the proposal had been narrowed and that a temporary, conditional process could test whether impacts could be managed.
Councillors disagreed over whether to let the proposal proceed to a public hearing or stop the process at the zoning stage.
Defeated 0 to 72026-137Item 7.12:39:13 Watch · Read
Give the proposed rezoning bylaw for 119 Ross Durrance Road its first two readings, schedule a public hearing before the July 6 Council meeting, and arrange an optional site visit for councillors.
Official wording: That “Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, Amendment No. 48, (119 Ross Durrance Road) Bylaw No. 486, 2026” be given first and second readings; AND THAT a public hearing for “Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, Amendment No. 48, (119 Ross Durrance Road) Bylaw No. 486, 2026” be scheduled for July 6, 2026 immediately preceding the regularly scheduled Council Meeting. AND FURTHER THAT a site visit to 119 Ross Durrance Road be scheduled for any members of Council who wish to attend.
The proposed bylaws set permit fees for organised park use, including gatherings, events, commercial activities and filming. A councillor proposed free permits for school groups using Highlands parks; Council approved that change. Councillors also raised questions about effects on West Shore Parks and Recreation programs, fee levels for commercial filming, cost recovery and giving park users more time to comment. Council gave the amended bylaws first and second readings, not third reading. It also agreed to refer parks and recreation matters, including the riding ring and bike park, for Committee of the Whole discussion.
Agreement
School groups should be able to use parks without paying permit fees.
The proposed fees and park-use rules warranted further discussion before final approval.
Disagreement
Some councillors considered some commercial and filming fees too low or wanted more public input before proceeding; others supported advancing the bylaws to further readings.
Carried 7 to 02026-138Item 7.22:52:17 Watch · Read
Amend the proposed parks fees bylaw so school groups can use parks for events without paying a fee.
Official wording: That the main motion be amended to include the following: That "District of Highlands Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 333 (Parks), 2011, Amendment No. 2, Bylaw No. 485, 2026” include School Group event use at no cost.
Carried 7 to 02026-139Item 7.22:56:16 Watch · Read
Give the amended parks fees bylaw—which includes no-cost park event use for school groups—and the parks permits bylaw their first two readings.
Official wording: That "District of Highlands Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 333 (Parks), 2011, Amendment No. 2, Bylaw No. 485, 2026” be given first and second reading as amended; AND THAT “Parks Management Bylaw No. 470, 2025, Amendment No. 1 (Permits), Bylaw No. 487, 2026" be given first and second reading.
Carried 7 to 02026-140Item 7.22:57:06 Watch · Read
Send the parks fees and permits bylaws, the Highlands Riding Ring, and the Twinflower Park Bike Jump Park to a Committee of the Whole for discussion.
Official wording: That the following items be referred to a Committee of the Whole: Parks Fees and Charges “District of Highlands Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 333 (Parks), 2011, Amendment No. 2, Bylaw No. 485, 2026” “Parks Management Bylaw No. 470, 2025, Amendment No. 1 (Permits), Bylaw No. 487, 2026”; Highlands Riding Ring; Twinflower Park Bike Jump Park.
8.1 Temporary Use Permit Application TUP-01-26 119 Ross Durrance Road
zoning development19 public speakers2:40:07 Watch · Read
The permit application concerned nature-based programs and related activities at 119 Ross Durrance Road. Earlier in the meeting, the applicant described changes to the proposal and commitments on traffic, fire safety and water use; other speakers disputed whether the scale and location were suitable and whether the safeguards would resolve neighbour concerns. After Council defeated the zoning bylaw change needed for the permit to proceed, it also voted to deny the temporary use permit application.
Agreement
The proposal raised questions about how the site and its neighbours would be affected.
Disagreement
Supporters said a temporary permit with conditions could allow nature programs to operate while impacts were assessed.
Opponents said the location, intensity and past experience made the proposal unsuitable and difficult to trust or manage.
Carried 4 to 32026-141Item 8.12:57:06 Watch · Read
Deny the application for a temporary use permit at 119 Ross Durrance Road.
Official wording: That Temporary Use Permit Application TUP-01-26 for 119 Ross Durrance Road be denied.
parks environment2 public speakers2:57:56 Watch · Read
A representative of the Highlands Horse Club explained that riders had believed the club’s insurance paperwork was being handled by the District, then discovered there was no land-use agreement. The club wants to formalise its status, arrange a land agreement and maintain the ring, including seeking funds to improve its footing; the speaker said the space is also used by walkers and children. Councillors discussed insurance, possible management arrangements and the ring’s value as a community recreation space. No management option was chosen at this meeting; the issue was slated for further discussion. A separate public speaker also urged Council not to remove the Twinflower Park bike area without further community input.
Agreement
The riding ring is used by more than horse riders and needs a clear arrangement for insurance and management.
Further discussion with the club and staff would help Council consider next steps.
8.3 Highlands District Community Association - Grant in Aid
Council approved an additional $1,000 in 2026 grant funding for the Highlands District Community Association, using the Administration Contingency. The transcript records one councillor saying they would vote against the proposal, but the motion carried.
Disagreement
One councillor indicated opposition to the additional grant; the motion nevertheless carried.
Carried 7 to 02026-142Item 8.33:10:18 Watch · Read
Provide the Highlands District Community Association with an additional $1,000 in grant funding for 2026, using the Administration Contingency.
Official wording: That an additional $1,000 in Grant-in-Aid funding for 2026 be approved for the Highlands District Community Association, funded from the Administration Contingency.
Council agreed to consider the notice of motion the same day, then supported sending a resolution to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. It asks the Province to change the British Columbia Transit Act so rural municipalities that receive little or no transit service can face a lower or separate tax burden. The Mayor cited Highlands paying about $500,000 for service that amounts to two buses a day. A councillor supported the proposal but suggested building support through other municipal channels as well.
Agreement
Rural municipalities should not face the same transit tax burden when they receive little or no service.
Council supported submitting the resolution.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether the Union of British Columbia Municipalities process alone would achieve results quickly and suggested pursuing other ways to build support.
Carried 7 to 02026-143Item 9.13:10:18 Watch · Read
Allow the proposed transit-financing notice of motion to be considered that same day.
Official wording: That same day consideration be given to Mayor Ken Williams Notice of Motion regarding the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Resolution - Two-Tiered Transit Financing Model.
Carried 7 to 02026-144Item 9.13:12:45 Watch · Read
Submit a resolution asking UBCM to seek a change to the provincial Transit Act. The change would create two levels of transit taxation so rural municipalities that pay for regional transit but receive little or no service would face less financial pressure.
Official wording: That the following Union of British Columbia Municipalities Resolution be submitted, along with UBCM Resolution Submission Background Information dated May 28, 2025, requesting that UBCM advocate for amendments to the British Columbia Transit Act to enable a two-tiered taxation model for regional transit commissions, recognizing that rural municipalities may be taxed despite receiving limited or no service. Whereas the British Columbia Transit Act requires regional transit commissions to tax municipalities for the annual cost of a public passenger transportation system pursuant to section 15 of that Act ; And whereas public transportation systems are generally unable to provide frequent, regular, or any service to rural communities that are taxed by the regional transit commission for the system; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Ministry of Transportation and Transit amend the British Columbia Transit Act to provide a two-tiered financing model for taxation by regional transit commissions to municipalities thereby alleviating some of the financial pressure on rural municipalities that are taxed for, but receive little to no transit service.