Council heard draft plans for climate action and housing, with both scheduled for public review before returning to Council. The climate plan forecasts emissions in 2050 would be 21% below 2007 levels if its actions are implemented, but still short of net zero; it proposes new per-person targets that differ from the regional pathway. The housing discussion focused on the gap between the homes Langford is building and the homes people need, especially affordable family-sized homes, and on how limited municipal land and uncertain senior-government funding constrain the City’s options. Council also advanced fire, zoning, parks, reserve-fund and housing-agreement bylaws, and supported a request for the province to restore funding to the ARC Foundation.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council approved the agenda as presented.
Routine: approve the agenda for this meeting.
Staff and consultants presented a draft plan developed over about 10 months. The analysis found that community emissions rose 54% from 2007 to 2024, while emissions per person fell 35%; more than 80% of current emissions come from buildings, transportation and waste. If the proposed actions are implemented, emissions are projected to be 21% below 2007 levels in 2050, but that would not reach net zero. The draft proposes targets of an 80% per-person emissions reduction by 2050, with a 65% interim reduction by 2035; municipal corporate targets are 40% by 2035 and net zero by 2050. The plan also identifies wildfire, extreme heat, poor air quality, landslides and flooding as high risks, and sets out 61 actions across five strategies. Staff expected to post the draft for public review within about two weeks, then bring it back to Council after considering feedback.
The draft strategy sets out a 20-year direction for housing and responds to a projected need for about 17,000 additional homes by 2045. The province’s five-year target is 2,993 homes, with a strong emphasis on rental and below-market housing. The consultants highlighted a shortage of affordable homes with three or more bedrooms, and the need to place new homes near transit, services and amenities. Four proposed priority actions include pre-zoning for key housing types, incentives for family-sized homes, a staff liaison to help housing applicants navigate City processes, and clearer use of grants, fee waivers and reserve funds for affordable housing. Council heard that the City has limited land and cannot control who owns or manages rental buildings; partnerships with non-profit providers and predictable City support were identified as available tools. The draft was expected to go out for public comment in late August and return to Council, with revisions, on September 21.
Council adopted the consent agenda recommendations, including the July 20 Council minutes and receipt of the two draft committee meeting minutes.
Routine: adopt the July 20 Council minutes and receive the draft minutes from the July 28 Community Advisory Committee and August 10 Sustainable Development Advisory Committee meetings.
Council considered the Community Advisory Committee’s recommendation to advance the new Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw and a related miscellaneous amending bylaw to readings. Members referred to the committee’s earlier discussion about updating older rules and consolidating fire-related provisions. The discussion also noted that work is underway to make the City’s bylaws easier for the public to find. Fire staff advised that residents with fire-safety concerns should contact the fire department first; open burning still requires a permit during set burn periods, and garbage burning is not allowed.
Council is to consider giving three readings to a proposed fire prevention and regulation bylaw and a related bylaw making miscellaneous changes.
Council directed staff to notify the public that Council will consider a temporary use permit allowing Honeycomb Cannabis Inc. to continue operating a non-medical cannabis retail store at Unit 107, 2317 Millstream Road. A councillor said the City has used this temporary-permit process for cannabis stores and that the business had received no complaints.
Staff will notify the public that Council will consider a permit allowing Honeycomb Cannabis to keep operating its non-medical cannabis retail store at Unit 107-2317 Millstream Road.
Council issued a temporary use permit allowing the adjacent Galaxy Motors RV dealership to receive, prepare and store recreational vehicles on the site at 4373 West Shore Parkway without meeting the 10% minimum lot coverage requirement. Members described this as support for an existing business in an industrial area and noted there had been no particular complaints.
The permit would let Galaxy Motors use the site at 4373 West Shore Parkway to receive, prepare and store recreational vehicles for sale at its dealership next door, without building a structure to meet the usual minimum lot coverage. The site must have no razor wire, a 10-pound dry chemical fire extinguisher, a posted address and an access lane for fire suppression.
Council issued a temporary use permit for Code Ninjas Westshore to continue running an after-school computer-coding program for children on the lower floor of the front unit at 890 Goldstream Avenue. Two members of the public spoke in support, describing the program as a valuable local opportunity for children to learn coding, problem-solving and other practical skills. Council members also cited the site’s location near schools and City Hall.
The permit would allow Code Ninjas Westshore to continue its after-school computer coding program for children in the lower floor of the front unit at 890 Goldstream Avenue, following the attached site plan. It would be issued only to Jesse Bowness for three years and could not be transferred to another business or owner.
Council supported writing to the provincial Minister of Education and Child Care and the local member of the Legislative Assembly to ask the province to restore funding to the ARC Foundation and affirm the importance of its SOGI 123 resources. A councillor said the funding cut of about $350,000 had forced the foundation to reduce staffing by three people, and argued that teachers need reliable resources to support safe and inclusive schools. Another councillor described the resources as important to students’ sense of safety and belonging. One public speaker also supported sending the letter.
The City would write to the provincial Education and Childcare Minister and MLA Ravi Parmar asking the ministry to restore funding for the ARC Foundation and affirm the value of SOGI 123. The letter would support continued access to classroom resources that promote safety and inclusion for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and students from diverse families.
Council gave first, second and third readings to the new Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw. Members said the bylaw was a substantial update, informed by work in other municipalities and intended to clarify and consolidate rules alongside the Fire Safety Act.
Council would give the proposed fire prevention and regulation bylaw its first three readings.
Council gave first, second and third readings to the related Fire Prevention and Regulation Miscellaneous Amending Bylaw. Members said the committee discussion had already covered the changes.
Council would give the related fire regulation amendments bylaw its first three readings.
Council adopted the zoning amendment for 854 Latoria Road. A councillor noted that the property currently has a house and that a portion of the lot is being subdivided; a future development proposal would need to return for rezoning.
Council would adopt the zoning change for 854 Latoria Road.
Council gave first, second and third readings to the zoning amendment for 709, 711, 715, 719 and 721 Massie Drive. The current proposal is for a six-storey residential building. Staff clarified that a 12-storey or mixed-use proposal would require another zoning amendment and Council process, even though the Official Community Plan allows for buildings up to 12 storeys in the broader area. Members also noted nearby parkland, planned landscaping and amenity space, and the site’s access to the 95 bus route and E&N Trail.
Council would give the proposed zoning change for the listed Massie Drive properties its first three readings.
Council adopted the zoning amendment for 3084, 3088, 3094 and 3096 Jacklin Road. Members said the application had been discussed earlier and noted a further effort to secure as much bicycle parking as possible.
Council would adopt the zoning change for the listed Jacklin Road properties.
Council adopted the Park Dedication Bylaw. Members welcomed the dedication of City parks, including Veterans Memorial Park, and said the bylaw protects the listed parks in perpetuity unless residents approve a change through a formal assent process or referendum.
Council would formally dedicate the land covered by the park dedication bylaw as park land.
Council rescinded the bylaw’s previous third reading and gave a new third reading to the revised Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw. Staff said the change was to make the rules clearer and ensure the charge is applied consistently.
Council would withdraw its earlier third reading of the parks development charge bylaw and give a third reading to its revised version.
Council gave first reading to an omnibus amendment to the Official Community Plan. It incorporates the recently approved parks, transportation, economic development and agriculture strategies so the City’s long-term planning documents align. Staff said another housekeeping amendment is expected after draft plans, including the climate plan, are finalized.
Council would give the proposed Official Community Plan amendment its first reading.
Council adopted an amendment to the City’s reserve-fund bylaw establishing a dedicated reserve for asset management of the Langford Aquatic Centre. Members said the change makes clear that any profits associated with the YMCA partnership can be kept in Langford for municipal purposes.
Council would adopt an amendment to the bylaw that establishes the City's reserve funds.
Council gave first, second and third readings to the housing agreement bylaw for 2615 Sooke Road. A councillor welcomed the agreement as a way for the City’s housing plans and policies to support affordable housing in practice.
Council would give the proposed housing agreement for 2615 Sooke Road its first three readings.
Council voted to close the meeting to the public to consider the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements where disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the municipality’s interests. The closed session began at 8:36 p.m.
Council would move into a closed meeting to discuss a land matter where public disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the City's interests.
The official motions list records that Council adjourned at 8:59 p.m.; the transcript provided ends as Council went into the closed session and does not include the adjournment.
Routine: end the meeting.
All 19 decisions from the minutes appear under the agenda items above.