The most contested decision was whether to let four small commercial units at 2270 Harbour Road house non-marine businesses: Council gave the zoning bylaw first reading, then defeated the vote to advance it to a public hearing. Councillors who opposed the change said Harbor Road’s marine-industrial area is scarce and that changing the rules could weaken its long-term protection; supporters argued the application deserved a public hearing after community outreach. Council also heard that early Town Hall feedback favoured keeping costs down, but was sharply divided on building height and ownership. On a safety concern at Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue, Council unanimously agreed to press the province to correct misaligned tactile pads for people with vision loss.
Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.
Council added correspondence about the 2270 Harbour Road zoning application and moved two correspondence items forward for discussion: the airport bus-service letter and a letter about tactile walking pads at Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue.
Routine: approve the agenda with the listed additions, removal, and items moved to correspondence.
Official wording: That the agenda be approved with the following amendments: 1. additions to item 8a - email (3) from D. Irwin, S. McIvor and C. Black; 2. addition to item 8a -email from Westplan Consulting, dated May 25, 2025; 3. remove from item 10a, verbal report from ArtSea Community Arts Council; 4. raise item 15.3 to Correspondence as item 14a; and 5. raise item 15.7 to Correspondence as item 14b.
community services6 public speakers4:58 Watch · Read
Six members of the public spoke. A resident urged the province to promptly fix three tactile pads that she said direct people with vision loss toward traffic; a representative of Capital Bike also raised concerns about the lack of clear bicycle signals at the crossing. Three speakers addressed the Harbour Road zoning application: a marine business owner and his spouse opposed loosening the rules, while the applicant’s representative urged Council to send the application to a public hearing after outreach to neighbours and businesses. Another resident asked for disability access to the Panorama Recreation Centre to be offered for a full week rather than one day, so people could find an attendant and try different facilities at their own pace.
Agreement
The tactile-pad speakers called for safer access at the intersection.
Harbour Road speakers agreed that the area has important marine uses, though they disagreed about the proposed zoning change.
Disagreement
On the Harbour Road application, the marine business speakers favoured preserving the marine-use restrictions; the applicant’s representative said the application should proceed to a hearing so competing views could be considered.
7D.1 2025 Annual Report - Mary Winspear Centre
community services1 public speaker21:15 Watch · Read
The Mary Winspear Centre’s executive director reported an average annual net income before interest and amortization of more than $278,000 over the past three years, with funds going toward capital needs. The centre still needs major funding for an aging roof and heating and cooling systems; a roof leak during a sold-out show caused some patrons to get wet and receive refunds. A community fundraising feasibility study is underway. The centre also expects regional performing-arts funding to begin in 2027, and reported a $200,000 donation for a playground beside the soccer fields at Blue Heron Park, expected to be installed in early July.
Agreement
Councillors praised the centre’s contribution and welcomed its sound operating results.
The roof and heating and cooling systems were identified as significant capital needs.
8a Bylaw No. 2316 - Zoning Amendment No. 4 (Zoning Amendment Application No. RZ100115 - 2270 Harbour Road - to amend conditions of use for retail and office uses in the Marine Industrial (W1) Zone to allow non-marine related uses in four commercial units.)
zoning development3 public speakers38:08 Watch · Read
The proposed change would remove marine-related-use restrictions for retail and office space in four small units and allow medical offices there as well. Staff clarified that “medical office” covers uses such as clinics, dentists, veterinarians, massage therapists and medical labs. Council passed first reading, but defeated second reading, so staff will not advertise the bylaw for a public hearing. Supporters said the applicant had consulted businesses and neighbours, that the units were difficult to use for marine businesses, and that a hearing would let the public weigh in. Opponents said the marine-industrial waterfront is rare, the applicant knew the zoning when the building was designed, and loosening the rules could set a precedent that puts the area’s marine role at risk.
Agreement
Councillors recognized the importance of Sidney’s marine sector and the long-standing businesses along Harbour Road.
The four commercial units are relatively small, ranging from about 800 to 1,600 square feet.
Disagreement
One councillor supported advancing the application, arguing that the applicant had done community outreach and that a hearing was the right place to gather views; several councillors opposed advancing it, citing the area’s marine-industrial purpose, the applicant’s knowledge of the rules, and the risk of setting a precedent.
Councillors disagreed about whether a public hearing would add useful input or repeat feedback already gathered through earlier planning work and outreach.
Give the proposed zoning change for four commercial units at 2270 Harbour Road its first reading, allowing certain retail and office uses that are not marine-related.
Official wording: That Bylaw No. 2316 - Zoning Amendment No. 4 (2270 Harbour Road) be given first reading.
Defeated 0 to 72026.15.261Item 8a1:08:51 Watch · Read
Advance the proposed zoning change for a second reading and have staff advertise a public hearing, where people can comment on allowing certain non-marine retail and office uses in four units at 2270 Harbour Road.
Official wording: That Bylaw No. 2316 - Zoning Amendment No. 4 (2270 Harbour Road) be given second reading and that staff advertise for a public hearing.
Councillor O’Keeffe reported that Sidney Museum and Archives had received grants for summer student interns and an $8,500 grant for its exhibit on the history and contributions of the Chinese community in British Columbia. Most of a 13-sign waterfront history project is now installed, with a formal unveiling planned for late June in partnership with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. The ArtSea report was withdrawn because the organization expects to present its annual report to Council soon.
Agreement
A councillor praised the new waterfront signs and the work behind them.
11b Councillor S. Duncan - verbal report from the CRD Regional Water Supply Commission.
Councillor Duncan summarized the May 20 Regional Water Supply Commission meeting. Electrical upgrades at the ultraviolet treatment plant cut power use by 23%, saving about $140,000 a year. The commission set a 2035 residential water-use target of about 200 litres per person per day, a 5–9% reduction, and approved allowing compatible traditional uses by First Nations in the reservoir area. It also discussed forest fire resilience and delaying some planned hires to contain costs.
Agreement
Councillors welcomed the energy savings and the water-conservation target.
The report described collaboration with First Nations on prescribed burns and traditional uses.
12a R.1 Development Permit Application No. DP100859 (9616 Sixth Street) (To permit the form and character of a new four-unit residential development.)
Council forwarded the design of a proposed four-unit residential development at 9616 Sixth Street to the Advisory Planning Commission for review and comment. Councillors described it as a straightforward application with no variance requests.
Agreement
Council supported sending the design to the Advisory Planning Commission.
Send the proposed four-unit development at 9616 Sixth Street to the Advisory Planning Commission for review and feedback.
Official wording: That Development Permit Application No. DP100859 for the property at 9616 Sixth Street (to permit the form and character of a four-unit residential development) be forwarded to the Advisory Planning Commission for review and comment.
12a R.2 Development Permit Application No. DP100857 and Development Variance Permit Application No. DV100389 (2384 Orchard Avenue) (To relax requirements for minimum front setback and maximum lot coverage in order to allow a new four-unit residential development.)
Council backed a request for the applicant to redesign the proposed four-unit building at 2384 Orchard Avenue. The application sought to increase lot coverage from 45% to 57% and reduce the front setback from 4.5 metres to 1.7 metres. Councillors cited the scale of the requested changes and concerns about sight lines and traffic on the lane behind the homes.
Agreement
Council agreed the plans should be revised to better comply with zoning requirements before returning for consideration.
Ask the applicant to redesign the proposed four-unit building at 2384 Orchard Avenue to better meet zoning rules, then bring revised plans to a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
Official wording: That the Development Permit Application No. DP100857 (to permit the form and character of a four-unit residential building) and Development Variance Permit Application No. DV100389 (to increase the lot coverage from 45% to 57% and to reduce the front yard setback from 4.5m to 1.7m) for the property at 2384 Orchard Avenue be redesigned by the applicant to better comply with zoning requirements, and present revised plans to a future Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Staff reported feedback from two open houses attended by about 100 people, 522 survey responses and 12 written submissions. Keeping costs low mattered to 56% of survey respondents, while another 37% said it mattered somewhat. Respondents were relatively open to a different downtown location and to a mixed-use building, but height divided opinion: 44% wanted four storeys or less, while 39% said that limit was not important. Municipal ownership mattered to 46%; affordable housing in the project did not matter to 67%. Council emphasized that this was early input, not a decision on a site, design or funding plan, and received the results for future deliberations.
Agreement
Councillors described the engagement as a useful early step and said no decisions had yet been made.
Councillors agreed that the replacement is a significant, long-term project that will require further public input.
Disagreement
Survey respondents were divided on building height and had differing views on whether the Town should retain ownership.
Receive the public feedback about replacing Town Hall and consider it in future closed-session discussions if those discussions involve private property.
Official wording: That Council receive the results of the initial public engagement regarding the replacement of Town Hall and consider them as part of future in-camera deliberations, should matters involving private property be discussed.
Council approved the Sidney Business Improvement Area’s request to close Beacon Avenue east of the Rainbow Crosswalk and use sound amplification at Beacon Park for its Pride Month event on June 13. The event is expected to draw more than 500 people and include information booths, local vendors and live entertainment. Staff said event organizers would coordinate with emergency services and the Town about the closure.
Agreement
Council approved the road closure and park use unanimously.
Allow the Sidney BIA to close Beacon Avenue east of the rainbow crosswalk and use amplified sound at Beacon Park for its June 13 Pride Month event.
Official wording: That the Sidney BIA be authorized to close Beacon Avenue, east of the rainbow crosswalk, and to use sound amplification at Beacon Park for their Pride Month event at Beacon Park on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
The Mayor reported that the transit commission selected a limited airport-service option instead of a proposal that could have reduced service on Sidney routes. One or two early-morning Route 72 buses from Victoria will serve the airport before continuing to Sidney and the ferry; two or three late-night buses will serve it on the return trip. Existing Sidney service will not change, though some riders could face an extra 10–12 minutes. The earliest start could be September, while expanded service depends on future provincial funding; the commission made airport service its top priority for a future expansion.
Agreement
Councillors welcomed the option because it adds some direct airport service without cutting current Sidney routes.
Councillors noted that future service planning should consider both airport workers and Sidney residents who need airport connections.
Disagreement
A councillor questioned whether the original proposal fairly valued transit riders who rely on existing routes; the Mayor said the selected option avoids the proposed reductions.
14b Tactile Walking Surfaces at Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue
transportation2 public speakers1:49:46 Watch · Read
Council unanimously agreed to write to the provincial Minister of Transportation and Transit seeking an immediate fix to misaligned scoring lines and tactile pads on the northeast and southeast portions of the islands at Beacon Avenue and Highway 17. Staff said the intersection is provincial land and the Town cannot alter it or install signs. Councillors discussed a public speaker’s separate concern about bicycle signals, but left that issue for further discussion and possible follow-up rather than adding it to the letter.
Agreement
Councillors agreed the misaligned pads raise a safety and accessibility concern and that the Town should press the province to act.
Staff confirmed that only the province can make physical changes at the intersection.
Disagreement
Councillors did not reach a decision on whether to include bicycle-signal concerns in the letter; they agreed that more information was needed.
Have the Mayor write to the provincial transportation minister asking for the misaligned tactile pads and scoring lines on the two traffic islands at Beacon Avenue and Highway 17 to be corrected immediately.
Official wording: That the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Transit requesting an immediate remedy to the incorrect alignment of the scoring lines and tactile pads on the north east and south east portions of the traffic islands at the Beacon Avenue and Highway 17 intersection.