Council approved the Tour de Victoria for August 15 on District roads, subject to an agreement with the organizer, and approved the District’s 2025 annual report and financial information. The most contested decision was a new 700-square-metre limit on principal dwelling size in zones that currently have no limit: supporters said it could help protect groundwater and curb oversized structures used for business, while opponents questioned its fairness, effectiveness and fit with rural property rights. Council gave the zoning bylaw third and final reading; staff said owners could still seek a discretionary variance, but there would be no automatic exemption for an existing larger home. Council also agreed to send ReImagine West Shore a letter supporting its 2027 Community Gaming Grant application.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council amended the agenda to add Mark Cardinal to the petitions and delegations section. He then spoke about the dwelling-size bylaw, although the chair said that section was for other topics, not the bylaw or public hearing.
Approve the agenda with Mark Cardinal added to speak during petitions and delegations.
Official wording: THAT the June 15, 2026 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be approved as amended to add Mark Cardinal to speak under Petitions and Delegations.
A councillor reported on a June 2 meeting of the Victoria Family Court Youth Justice Committee, which brought together Greater Victoria service agencies to discuss gaps and updates. A councillor also reported that the South Island Reconciliation Advisory Committee had issued a request for proposals to replace its long-time consultant and asked people to help spread the word. The mayor’s written report was available online; no questions were raised about it.
Council agreed to provide ReImagine West Shore with a letter supporting its application for a 2027 Community Gaming Grant. A councillor moved the request, and no one spoke against it.
Send ReImagine West Shore a letter supporting its application for a 2027 Community Gaming Grant.
Official wording: THAT a letter of support be provided to ReImagine West Shore in relation to its 2027 Community Gaming Grant Application as outlined in their e-mail of June 9, 2026 to the District of Highlands.
7.1 Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, Amendment No. 47, (Limits to Principal Dwelling Unit Size) Bylaw No. 484, 2026
zoning development1 public speaker6:32 Watch · Read
The bylaw would set a 700-square-metre maximum for a principal dwelling in zones with no current size limit and clarify wording in other sections. Staff said an open house drew about 30 people, and the largest homes they knew of with occupancy permits were well below the proposed limit. A member of the public objected to moving the bylaw forward, citing public pushback. Council debated whether the cap would help prevent oversized structures being used for commercial activity and protect groundwater, or instead impose a broad restriction that did little to address real impacts. Staff said there would be no grandfathering clause; an owner seeking to rebuild larger than the limit could apply for a discretionary variance. Council gave the bylaw third and final reading.
Agreement
Council members recognized that the bylaw raised concerns about property rights, rural character and how the rule might affect residents.
Staff explained that a variance application could be made for a larger home, but approval would be decided case by case.
Disagreement
Supporters argued that a general size limit could help protect water and give the District a tool to address oversized structures that might conceal commercial or industrial activity.
Opponents argued that the 700-square-metre cap was an imprecise, one-size-fits-all restriction on rural properties, with little measurable benefit and inadequate time for discussion.
Some councillors favoured proceeding and addressing unexpected problems later; others questioned the bylaw’s fit with the Highlands and called for more time or a different approach.
Carried 6 to 02026-151Item 7.11:11:02 Watch · Read
Advance the proposed limits on the size of principal homes to the next formal reading.
Official wording: THAT “Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, Amendment No. 47, (Limits to Principal Dwelling Unit Size) Bylaw No. 484, 2026” be given third reading.
Carried 6 to 02026-152Item 7.11:12:58 Watch · Read
Give final approval to the proposed limits on the size of principal homes.
Official wording: THAT “Highlands Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998, Amendment No. 47, (Limits to Principal Dwelling Unit Size) Bylaw No. 484, 2026” be given final reading.
Council approved the 2026 Tour de Victoria on District roads on August 15, subject to the event organizer signing the Public Property Occupancy Agreement. The transcript does not record discussion of the route or traffic plan.
Agreement
Council approved the event subject to the agreement.
Carried 6 to 02026-153Item 8.11:12:58 Watch · Read
Allow the Tour de Victoria to use District roads on August 15, provided the organizer signs the public-property occupancy agreement, and authorize the Corporate Officer to sign that agreement for the District.
Official wording: THAT Council approve the 2026 Tour de Victoria event on Saturday, August 15, 2026, on District of Highlands roads, subject to the Event Organizer entering into the Public Property Occupancy Agreement, attached to the report from the Administrative Assistant dated June 8, 2026;
AND THAT the Corporate Officer be authorized to execute such an agreement on behalf of the District of Highlands.
The Corporate Officer said the draft report covers the District’s accomplishments and plans going into 2026. A councillor praised its clear presentation and the amount of information it contained. Council approved it.
Agreement
Council supported approving the report.
Carried 6 to 02026-154Item 8.21:15:23 Watch · Read
Approve the District’s 2025 annual report.
Official wording: THAT the 2025 Annual Report be approved.
Routine: receive the accessibility advisory committee and emergency planning committee minutes.
Official wording: AND THAT the following minutes be received:
• February 25, 2026 Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee
• June 3, 2026 Emergency Planning Committee Meeting