Council unanimously supported a 22-storey rental and commercial project at 3075 Douglas Street, despite it exceeding the area’s usual height and density guidance. The project would add 208 rental homes, but the applicant can no longer commit to the 88 affordable homes once expected through a provincial funding program; councillors also raised questions about parking, trees and the lack of private balconies. Council backed a call to protect provincial and federal rent supplements, while members differed on whether direct letters to senior governments are enough without local advocacy. It also supported commemorative Legion signage and asked staff to report on earthquake preparedness; two other motions were left for a future daytime council meeting.
Generated from the recording's captions and the agenda (minutes not yet published by the council).
What was discussed
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F.1 3075 Douglas Street: Rezoning Application No. 00899 and Development Permit with Variances Application No.00303 (Burnside)
Staff recommended approval of a 22-storey mixed-use building at Douglas, Finlayson and Large streets, with 208 purpose-built rental homes, ground-floor commercial space and a publicly accessible plaza with Indigenous-led artwork. The proposal exceeds the area policy’s general guidance of 18 storeys and a floor space ratio of 5.0, proposing 22 storeys and 5.39. The homes would be secured as rentals, with about 38 per cent having at least two bedrooms, but no below-market affordability is secured: 88 affordable homes had been contemplated if provincial funding was available. Staff supported parking variances alongside transit passes, a car-share vehicle and bicycle facilities. Council unanimously supported the staff recommendation. The rezoning would remain in force even if the development permit lapses; staff said a permit extension may be possible.
Agreement
Councillors broadly agreed that the site is an appropriate place for greater height and density because it is in Mayfair Town Centre beside the Douglas Street rapid-transit corridor.
Members praised the design, the rental homes, the public space and the Indigenous-led artwork.
Staff said the proposal’s height and density departures were supportable given the site and its housing and public-realm benefits.
Disagreement
Some councillors were concerned that the loss of expected provincial funding meant the project no longer secured 88 affordable homes; others said affordability and financing were not decisive to the land-use decision before them.
Some councillors questioned whether vehicle and bicycle parking would be sufficient and worried about spillover onto nearby streets; others supported the parking variances because of the transit access and mobility measures.
A councillor raised concerns about tree removal and air pollution exposure for future residents. Another supported the shared amenity space and questioned whether private balconies were necessary; staff said further balcony or similar design options would be explored, but were not a required outcome.
G.1 Council Member Motion: Call to Save Critical Provincial and Federal Rent Supplement Programs
The motion called for letters urging provincial and federal governments to preserve the Supported Rent Supplement Program and the Canada–British Columbia Housing Benefit. The mover said rent supplements help people move from the street or supportive housing into private rentals, and can also help people on low incomes remain housed. She cited a gap between the $500 monthly shelter allowance for people receiving provincial assistance and rents in the market, and said about 100 people in supportive housing could move on with the right financial help. The Mayor said letters would go to the relevant ministerial positions and be copied to local elected representatives. The motion passed unanimously.
Agreement
Councillors agreed that rent supplements help prevent homelessness and allow people to move through the housing system into more independent living.
Members supported raising the issue with governments and including councillors’ comments in the letters.
Disagreement
A councillor supported the motion but questioned whether letters to senior ministers would have much effect, and suggested meeting with local government caucuses and representatives as an additional advocacy route.
G.2 Council Member Motion: Commemorative Signage Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion
The motion sought commemorative signs marking the Legion’s 100th anniversary at two locations: near the Esquimalt and District branch and on City-owned land beside the legislature. The Mayor said the signs would be a modest-cost recognition, covered within the Engineering Department’s existing budget. A councillor asked whether the nearby provincial government employees’ Legion branch had been consulted; the Mayor said it had been consulted and supported the proposal. The motion passed unanimously. Councillor Coleman recused himself because he is a Legion member and had been asked for advice on the proposal.
Agreement
The council members who voted supported commemorating the Legion’s anniversary.
The Mayor confirmed that the nearby provincial government employees’ branch had been consulted and was supportive.
G.3 Council Member Motion: Support in Principle for a Community Health Clinic and Licensed Daycare at ICA's Downtown Site
This motion, concerning a community health clinic and licensed daycare at the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria’s downtown site, remained on the consent agenda and was approved there without debate. The Mayor said it would return as routine business at a future daytime council meeting for consideration.
G.4 Council Member Motion: Making Victoria the Most Earthquake-Prepared City in North America
The motion asked staff to report on ways to improve earthquake preparedness and share information about the City’s current work. The mover pointed to risks to older and heritage buildings, possible support for homeowners to strengthen their homes, and the need to identify high-risk public buildings. Other councillors described existing City work, including seismic upgrades, neighbourhood preparedness presentations and emergency access planning for the Johnson Street Bridge. The motion passed unanimously.
Agreement
Councillors agreed that earthquake preparedness is important and that the public needs clear information about risks and preparation.
Members praised the Fire Department’s neighbourhood preparedness work and noted existing City investments in seismic resilience.
Disagreement
Some councillors favoured a broader review of risks, gaps and possible future investments; another cautioned that the City is already doing substantial work and that claims of being the most prepared city would need measurable goals that may be hard to define.
G.5 Council Member Motion: Support for Victoria Residents in Leasehold Buildings
The motion on support for Victoria residents in leasehold buildings remained on the consent agenda. The Mayor said it would return to a future daytime council meeting for consideration; there was no discussion of the proposal at this meeting.
Decisions
Victoria has not published the minutes for this meeting yet. Councils post minutes only after a later meeting adopts them, usually two to six weeks afterwards. We check weekly. We last checked Fri, Oct 2, 2026. Votes and decisions are taken only from the official minutes, so this section fills in once Victoria publishes them. Anything above about motions comes from the recording and is preliminary.