Council approved next steps for the proposed animal shelter zoning change at 3280 Woodruff Road, including more environmental review and exploring a conservation covenant; Councillor Gray opposed that direction. A neighbour also opposed a variance for a secondary suite on Matheson Lake Park Drive, but Council approved it. The sharpest debate was over tax exemptions for eight community organizations: Council deferred the bylaw to September so staff can split it into parts, while members weighed the groups’ community value against rising costs and pressure on taxpayers. Council also adopted the Buffer Land dedication bylaw and approved $1,200 in donations for reconciliation and Tribal Journey events.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
What was discussed
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Closed Portion: Council Resolution to Close the Meeting to the Public
governance
The agenda called for a closed meeting to discuss a land matter. The closure vote took place before the public-session transcript begins.
Carried 3 to 0
Exclude the public from the closed portion of the meeting to discuss a land matter where disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the municipality’s interests.
Official wording: that the public be excluded under section 90(1) of the Community Charter in order to consider:
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
Routine: adopt the meeting agenda with two additional correspondence documents added—one for the Woodruff Road zoning application and one for the Fire Hall Technical Team report.
Official wording: THAT the July 13, 2026, Regular Council Meeting agenda be adopted as amended, to include the following supplemental information:
Correspondence received for item 7.a. June 23, 2026, Special Community Planning Meeting - Zoning Amendment Application, 3280 Woodruff Road:
Correspondence 01 – L. Pollock.
Correspondence received for item 12.a. Progress Report From the Fire Hall Technical Team:
Correspondence 01 - M. Hornick.
William Head Institution officials described the prison’s community work, including trail and cemetery cleanups, support for local events, and its annual theatre program, which draws about 2,000 paying guests. After a recent escape and death, councillors pressed for clearer public alerts and asked how inmate screening is reviewed. Institution officials said they are improving communication with the District and police, but that public notification is handled through law-enforcement partners. The Mayor described using Facebook and the District’s opt-in emergency pod system to pass on information; one councillor said those channels may not reach everyone and asked staff to bring a clearer communications plan back to Council.
Agreement
The recent incident frightened residents and exposed communication gaps.
The institution, District and police should keep reviewing how they share information and coordinate their response.
Councillors acknowledged the institution’s community-service and rehabilitation work.
Disagreement
One councillor questioned whether Facebook and opt-in email or phone alerts are enough to notify residents; the acting warden said the institution does not issue public safety instructions and that notification is handled by law-enforcement partners.
A councillor asked whether the community should have a role in screening decisions; the acting warden said the institution would continue reviewing its screening practices.
Fourteen members of the public spoke on several agenda topics. A Fire Hall Technical Team member gave a progress update. A property owner said a revised proposal for commercial and light-industrial uses along Sook Road was in preparation and offered to fund an election question on limited expansion. A neighbouring resident objected to the Matheson Lake Park Drive variance, citing noise, the size of the requested change and concern that it differed from what the family had previously been asked to support. A speaker connected to the Woodruff Road property supported the humane society’s zoning application, while another speaker raised a technical point about who should request environmental information from the applicant’s environmental professional. Most speakers focused on permissive tax exemptions: they urged Council to preserve full exemptions and stable funding, while one argued that charities can issue tax receipts and another called for a principled approach to balancing exemptions with other grants. A speaker also urged Council to support the First Nation canoe family’s Tribal Journey request.
Agreement
Speakers praised the work of local community organizations and called for clear, stable support for their services.
Speakers raised community interest in the future of the Sook Road corridor and in protecting the Woodruff Road property’s environmental values.
Disagreement
Speakers differed over whether permissive tax exemptions should be maintained in full or weighed against the District’s fiscal limits and other funding needs.
The neighbouring resident considered the variance too large and potentially disruptive; the applicant’s representative said the proposal was being revised in response to community feedback.
Council received minutes from four advisory committees. During discussion, a councillor said the Parks and Trails master plan was being revised to reflect the Buffer Land’s new status and updated mapping, and that community and councillor comments were being incorporated. Councillors also noted the departure of a long-serving member of the environmental advisory committee.
Agreement
The four sets of committee minutes were received for information.
Councillors expressed appreciation for the long-serving environmental advisory committee member.
Carried 3 to 0RES 205-2026Item 51:11:05 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the Parks and Trails Advisory Select Committee’s June 16 draft minutes for information.
Official wording: THAT the June 16, 2026, Draft Parks and Trails Advisory Select Committee Meeting minutes be received for information.
The Mayor gave a broad update on regional and local events, including the District’s Pride flag ceremony, Canada Day celebration, youth and family services work, and meetings with neighbouring mayors. A councillor asked whether Council would receive a report on the RCMP building and rental issue; the Chief Administrative Officer said staff were seeking information from Langford and expected to report in September.
Agreement
Staff would work with Langford to prepare information on the RCMP building rental issue.
7.a June 23, 2026, Special Community Planning Meeting - Zoning Amendment Application, 3280 Woodruff Road
zoning development2 public speakers1:29:06 Watch · Read
Council directed staff to continue processing the proposed zoning change for the Victoria Humane Society’s animal shelter. Staff are to seek more environmental information on wildlife movement, habitat connections, fencing, trails and the effects of shelter operations and future site work, and to explore ways to protect the undisturbed southern part of the property, including a possible section 219 covenant. Staff will return with a draft zoning bylaw. Councillor Gray argued that seeking a covenant was pointless because the society had said in writing it would not consider one, and raised concerns about past environmental compliance. Other councillors said the application was still at an early stage and that the environmental review and covenant discussion were necessary to protect the area and inform a future decision.
Agreement
Council wanted more environmental information before considering a draft zoning bylaw.
The application would return to Council after staff’s work and referrals.
Disagreement
Councillor Gray opposed spending staff time and legal costs exploring a covenant the society had said it would not consider.
Other councillors supported exploring a covenant, citing the Official Community Plan, the site’s sensitive environment and the opportunity to address protection during a zoning change.
Carried 3 to 1RES 209-2026Item 7.a1:51:53 Watch · Read
Ask staff to send the application to the relevant referral bodies, get the applicant’s environmental professional to provide more information about wildlife, habitat connections, trails, fencing and potential impacts of the animal shelter and related site work, and explore ways to protect the undisturbed southern part of the property, including a possible restrictive covenant. Staff are to return with a draft zoning amendment bylaw for Council to consider.
Official wording: THAT Council direct staff to proceed with referrals;
AND THAT Council direct staff to seek additional information from the applicant’s Qualified Environmental Professional regarding wildlife movement, habitat connectivity, fencing, trails and the potential effects of the proposed animal shelter use, including associated site activities, structures and future site improvements, on environmentally sensitive areas of the property, including any recommended mitigation measures;
AND THAT Council direct staff, in consultation with the applicant and legal counsel, to explore potential options to address environmental considerations associated with the undisturbed southerly portion of the property, including the potential use of a section 219 Restrictive Covenant;
AND THAT staff report back to Council with a draft Zoning Amendment Bylaw for consideration.
8.a Request for Development Variance Permit, 1010 Matheson Lake Park Drive
zoning development1 public speaker1:52:44 Watch · Read
Council approved a variance allowing a detached secondary suite to sit 24.1 metres from the main home, rather than the bylaw maximum of 15 metres. The neighbouring resident who spoke said the closer location could increase noise, that the requested change appeared larger than the change the family had earlier been asked to support, and that approving it could set a precedent. Councillors in favour said the variance addressed the separation distance only and that the site layout and shared driveway supported the proposal. Councillor Gray opposed it, citing the neighbour’s concerns and the short time between receiving notice and the meeting.
Agreement
Councillors considered the neighbour’s concerns about noise and the change to the property.
The variance concerned the distance between the suite and the principal dwelling, not other setbacks.
Disagreement
The neighbouring resident and Councillor Gray opposed the variance over possible disturbance and concerns about the notice period.
The other councillors who spoke supported approval, citing the site layout and the limited scope of the variance.
Carried 3 to 1RES 210-2026Item 8.a2:00:51 Watch · Read
Allow a detached secondary suite at 1010 Matheson Lake Park Drive to be built 24.1 metres from the main house, instead of the usual maximum separation of 15 metres.
Official wording: That Council approve Development Variance Permit 26-02 for 1010 Matheson Lake Park Drive, legally described as Lot B, Section 41, Metchosin District, Plan VIP87481 to vary Section 23(3)(c) of Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, 1995 to enable a proposed detached secondary suite to be constructed with a separation distance of 24.1 metres from the principal dwelling, rather than a maximum of 15 metres.
Council approved a $200 contribution to the City of Victoria’s 2026 Truth and Reconciliation Day event. The money will come from the District’s surplus reserve because the year’s grant-aid budget had already been allocated.
Agreement
Council supported a modest contribution to the regional event.
Carried 3 to 0RES 213-2026Item 10.a2:04:02 Watch · Read
Give $200 from the Surplus Reserve to support Victoria’s 2026 Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonial event.
Official wording: THAT Council send a contribution in the amount of $200 to support the City of Victoria's 2026 Truth and Reconciliation Day Ceremonial Event with funds to come from the Surplus Reserve.
10.b Julia Leggett, Manager of Counselling Programs, Pacific Centre Family Services Association - Request for funding for the Mobile Youth Services Team
Council received a request for long-term funding for the Mobile Youth Services Team, which pairs a counsellor with a police officer to respond to youth and family concerns across the region. The Mayor described a recent unanimous Capital Regional District motion asking staff to examine regional funding options and said she favoured pursuing the issue at that level rather than asking individual municipalities to fund it. A councillor suggested a late resolution at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention. Council received the letter for information.
Agreement
Councillors recognized the team’s value and supported continued work to find a sustainable funding route.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned the growing burden on municipalities and noted the cost of even a small share of funding; the Mayor favoured regional action through the Capital Regional District.
Carried 3 to 0RES 214-2026Item 10.b2:11:13 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the correspondence about funding for the Mobile Youth Services Team for information.
Official wording: THAT the correspondence be received for information.
Council received Oak Bay’s request for continued provincial Local Government Climate Action Program funding. The Mayor said Metchosin already had a motion in place to write its own advocacy letter.
Agreement
Council supported the principles behind continued climate-action funding and had already agreed to prepare an advocacy letter.
Carried 3 to 0RES 215-2026Item 10.c2:12:51 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the correspondence requesting advocacy for continued Local Government Climate Action Program funding for information.
Official wording: THAT the correspondence be received for information.
10.d Stacey Charles, SC'IANEW First Nation Canoe Family - Partnership support for Tribal Journey 2026 Event
community services1 public speaker2:13:39 Watch · Read
Council approved a $1,000 donation to the SC'IANEW First Nation Canoe Family for the 2026 Tribal Journey, using the Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation grant. The Chief Financial Officer said the District had $96,000 remaining in the grant, including funds intended for emergency-management work with the First Nation. Councillors supported the donation and discussed other possible uses for the grant and its spending deadline.
Agreement
Councillors supported the $1,000 donation.
The Chief Financial Officer said the grant had enough funds for this donation while also supporting planned emergency-management work.
Carried 3 to 0RES 216-2026Item 10.d2:19:12 Watch · Read
Give $1,000 from the Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Grant Fund to the SC'IANEW First Nation Canoe Family for the 2026 Tribal Journey event.
Official wording: THAT Council donate $1000 to the SC'IANEW First Nation Canoe Family for the Tribal Journey 2026 event, with funds coming from Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Grant Fund.
Council adopted the bylaw creating a park dedication zone for the Buffer Land. Councillors credited the Buffer Land working group, staff and local volunteers, and described the decision as the result of several years of work following concerns about development impacts near Neil Road.
Agreement
All councillors who spoke supported adopting the bylaw.
Councillors recognized the work of the working group, staff and volunteers.
budget finance8 public speakers2:30:21 Watch · Read
The bylaw concerned 2027 permissive tax exemptions for eight organizations and 14 properties valued at nearly $34 million. Staff estimated the exemptions at $324,000 in total, including $167,000 in municipal taxes, or about $80 for an average home. The report said Metchosin’s combined grants, exemptions and subsidized rents could reach $457,000, and warned that reserves, police costs and infrastructure needs will put pressure on taxes after 2030. Councillors debated whether to restore the previous exemptions now or delay a decision for more review. Several speakers in public participation urged stable, full exemptions, while others called for a careful look at costs and the value of other kinds of community support. Council deferred the bylaw to September 21 and asked staff to prepare separate bylaws to help address potential conflicts of interest; no tax exemptions were approved at this meeting.
Agreement
Councillors recognized the contribution of local non-profit and community organizations.
Councillors agreed the District needed a broader discussion about support for community groups and the long-term financial outlook.
Council agreed to defer the decision and return to it at the September 21 meeting.
Disagreement
Some councillors favoured restoring the previous exemptions while arranging a wider review; others emphasized the cost to taxpayers, limited tax-base growth and forecast pressure on District finances.
A councillor argued that staff should pursue a covenant with the humane society as part of its exemption; the Chief Financial Officer said it qualified under a broader reading of the environmental priority, while the councillor said that rationale had not been established in Council’s strategic priorities.
Councillors differed over how to handle a possible conflict of interest and whether the bylaw should be divided before a vote.
Carried 3 to 0RES 218-2026Item 11.b2:52:03 Watch · Read
Allow the meeting to continue past 10:00 p.m.
Official wording: THAT Council meet past 10:00 p.m.
The Chief Administrative Officer said staff were close to finalizing a service agreement with the volunteer technical team, including governance and insurance arrangements, and would bring it back to Council. The team said it was examining safety issues in the apparatus bay first; if those cannot be addressed, there may be little value in pursuing structural options. Councillors who spoke praised the report’s clear, methodical approach and asked about existing mutual-aid agreements. The Mayor raised concerns that volunteers were revisiting work already done by paid professionals, meeting outside public view and displacing the Fire Hall Steering Committee. A team member objected to what he considered disparaging remarks and explained the team’s role. Council received the report.
Agreement
The technical team had not made a recommendation to Council and was advising on possible next steps.
The service agreement, including governance and insurance, still needed to be completed.
Disagreement
The Mayor questioned the value and transparency of the team’s work and said it was duplicating paid studies and displacing the Fire Hall Steering Committee.
Other councillors praised the report and the team’s methodical approach; a team member defended the team’s qualifications and work.
Carried 2 to 1RES 220-2026Item 123:59:43 Watch · Read
Routine: receive the Fire Hall Technical Team’s progress report for information.
Official wording: THAT the report be received for information.