{"videoId":"https://video.isilive.ca/victoria/Compact%20Encoder%201349_COTW_2026-09-24-12-03.mp4","source":"isilive_vtt","segments":[{"t":19,"text":"Before we begin, we always like to start our work"},{"t":21,"text":"together by taking a moment to acknowledge and ground ourselves"},{"t":25,"text":"before we make difficult decisions. In the knowledge that the"},{"t":28,"text":"two nations on whose territories our city sits in its"},{"t":31,"text":"entirety have spent hundreds of years, many generations taking the"},{"t":36,"text":"time to be incredible stewards of these lands and the"},{"t":40,"text":"waters that surround them. It's so important for us to"},{"t":43,"text":"recognise not just to the work of the nations in"},{"t":46,"text":"the past, but the reality of their generosity in the"},{"t":49,"text":"future and in the present as they continue to work"},{"t":52,"text":"with us as we try and find those pieces of"},{"t":55,"text":"work and family and conversation and programs and projects and"},{"t":60,"text":"ideas that we believe will benefit everyone who has the"},{"t":63,"text":"opportunity to live here in this territory. We want to"},{"t":68,"text":"welcome back to the Song He's Council Jackie Albany, who"},{"t":71,"text":"was reelected at their by - election a couple of"},{"t":73,"text":"weeks ago. Jackie's had many years of service to community,"},{"t":77,"text":"took a bit of a break, but then has returned"},{"t":79,"text":"to two council. And we welcome her back. We know"},{"t":84,"text":"that with her and the experience of all of the"},{"t":86,"text":"other members of council and the members of the nation,"},{"t":89,"text":"that there is much yet for us to do together."},{"t":91,"text":"And we welcome the opportunity to do that work and"},{"t":94,"text":"to explore things that we haven't imagined yet, and to"},{"t":97,"text":"continue to work on the things that are in process."},{"t":100,"text":"It's important for us to think a little bit about"},{"t":102,"text":"the impact of all of our decisions, not just on"},{"t":105,"text":"the nations, but on all of the people. We have"},{"t":108,"text":"the privilege to live here. And it's doing that, we"},{"t":111,"text":"always want to say thank you, and thank you to"},{"t":112,"text":"the nations. A bit of the language of their own"},{"t":115,"text":"history, and that is, of course, to say hi to"},{"t":117,"text":"Caseyama or Hydricus hymnequilia, which is to express our thanks,"},{"t":121,"text":"our gratitude, and to honour those folks who hopefully each"},{"t":124,"text":"day take a moment or two to do something or"},{"t":127,"text":"say something or share something that makes someone else's life"},{"t":130,"text":"just a little bit better. I trick us, you have"},{"t":133,"text":"Nicole. I have no additional remarks to make, because the"},{"t":138,"text":"chair today, and I'm not aware of any late items"},{"t":140,"text":"that need to be added to the agenda. So that"},{"t":143,"text":"would take us on to the published agenda, and I"},{"t":145,"text":"would look first for a motion to adopt that agenda."},{"t":147,"text":"Thank you, Councillor Coleman, seconded by Councillor Kim. And a"},{"t":151,"text":"discussions of the published agenda, Councillor Coleman. Just as you"},{"t":156,"text":"go into the consent. Oh yes, consent, yes, but that's"},{"t":157,"text":"next. So on the published agenda, any discussion, not seeing"},{"t":161,"text":"any older's in favor or anyone opposed. Not unanimous. So"},{"t":165,"text":"it does take us to the consent agenda, and I'll"},{"t":167,"text":"just read it out for the record and for the"},{"t":168,"text":"public's information was being proposed. In fact, are all of"},{"t":172,"text":"the five council member motions. I'll just note what they"},{"t":174,"text":"are here. Item G1 is the council member motion with"},{"t":178,"text":"regard to a call to save critical provincial and federal"},{"t":180,"text":"rent supplement programs. Item G2 is a council member motion"},{"t":184,"text":"with regard to the commemorative signage recognising the 100th anniversary"},{"t":188,"text":"of the Real Canadian Legion. Item G3 is a council"},{"t":191,"text":"member motion with regard to support and principal for our"},{"t":193,"text":"community health clinic and licensed daycare at ICA's downtown site."},{"t":198,"text":"Item G4 is a council member motion with regard to"},{"t":201,"text":"making Victoria the most earthquake prepared city in North America."},{"t":204,"text":"And item G5 is a council member motion with regard"},{"t":207,"text":"to support for Victoria residents in lease hold buildings. When"},{"t":211,"text":"I would like to remove any of these items from"},{"t":212,"text":"the consented end of Councillor Coleman. Karen, I please remove"},{"t":217,"text":"G1 for comments. G2, because I need to recuse myself"},{"t":222,"text":"and G4 for questions and comments. Very good. Thank you."},{"t":226,"text":"Anything else. Not seeing anything else. So what that does"},{"t":230,"text":"then is it leaves on the consent agenda. Item G3,"},{"t":235,"text":"the council member motion in support in principle for a"},{"t":237,"text":"community health clinic and licensed daycare at ICA's downtown site."},{"t":242,"text":"And item G5, the council member motion with regard to"},{"t":245,"text":"support for Victoria residents in lease hold buildings. So just"},{"t":248,"text":"those two items G3 and G5 on the consent agenda"},{"t":251,"text":"with someone like to move those please. Thanks Councillor Thompson"},{"t":254,"text":"is moving Councillor Coleman a seconding. All those in favor."},{"t":258,"text":"Anyone opposed. That is unanimous. And for the information of"},{"t":263,"text":"some of our residents in the audience. Item G3 has"},{"t":267,"text":"been adopted as part of consent and will therefore return"},{"t":271,"text":"as a matter of routine business to our next daytime"},{"t":274,"text":"council meeting, whether it's space available. I suspected that will"},{"t":277,"text":"be in two weeks. Moving on then to land at"},{"t":280,"text":"use matters. We have item F1. This is a Resorting"},{"t":284,"text":"application and development permit with variances application for 3075 Douglas"},{"t":288,"text":"Street. So we'll let our staff come up and get"},{"t":291,"text":"settled. And once they are, we will turn it over"},{"t":294,"text":"to them."},{"t":330,"text":"And once you're ready, of course, we'd love you to"},{"t":331,"text":"remind us who you are, also for the public record."},{"t":344,"text":"Thank you, Mayor. My name is Janar Opta, senior planner"},{"t":349,"text":"urban design with planning and development. I'm joined today by"},{"t":353,"text":"my colleagues. Charlotte Plain, manager of neighbourhood development planning. Of"},{"t":358,"text":"course, Andrea Hudson, assistant director, community or Citywide planning. And"},{"t":365,"text":"the number of other colleagues who supported and led the"},{"t":369,"text":"review of this SLANDU's item. And. Ms. Dr. Could you"},{"t":375,"text":"come in a little bit closer to your mic. You're"},{"t":377,"text":"a little bit quiet. You maybe pulled the mic closer"},{"t":378,"text":"to you. That'd be great. Is this better? It's a"},{"t":381,"text":"little better. Thank you."},{"t":391,"text":"And on behalf of staff, I'm pleased to present the"},{"t":395,"text":"rezoning application and the associated development permit with variances application"},{"t":399,"text":"for 3075 Douglas Street for your consideration. The proposal is"},{"t":405,"text":"for 22 - story mixed use building in Mayfair Town"},{"t":408,"text":"Centre. It would provide 208 purpose - built rental homes"},{"t":412,"text":"together with commercial uses at the ground for. The proposal"},{"t":415,"text":"also includes a publicly accessible plaza at Douglas and Finland"},{"t":419,"text":"Streets. Share the Man of these spaces for residents and"},{"t":423,"text":"indigenous - led artwork integrated into the building and public"},{"t":426,"text":"realm. The proposal also commits to a sustainable mobility package"},{"t":432,"text":"and a substantial offering of family - friendly homes beyond"},{"t":435,"text":"what our regulations require. Staff recommends support for the two"},{"t":439,"text":"applications associated with this project. The Rezoning would increase the"},{"t":442,"text":"permitted density from 1. 6 to 5. 39 floor space"},{"t":447,"text":"ratio and establish site - specific regulations for the development."},{"t":451,"text":"The development permit addresses the building in open space design."},{"t":455,"text":"It also includes variances for housing mix height, setbacks, landscape"},{"t":459,"text":"area, rooftop structures, and parking. And briefly on the Legislative"},{"t":466,"text":"Authority, council may consider the rezoning housing commitments, development permit,"},{"t":470,"text":"and requested variances. Because the rezoning consistent with the official"},{"t":474,"text":"community plan and will permit a predominantly residential development, a"},{"t":479,"text":"public hearing is not permitted. However, notice is still required"},{"t":482,"text":"before council considers introductory readings of dislining bylaw amendment. The"},{"t":490,"text":"site is at the Southeast corner of Douglas and Finleyston"},{"t":493,"text":"Streets. It also fronts large street to the South. The"},{"t":496,"text":"properties within Mayfair Town Centre on the Douglas Street Rapid"},{"t":500,"text":"Transit Corridor and is near a future mobility hub. It"},{"t":504,"text":"currently contains a one - story commercial building and surface"},{"t":507,"text":"parking. The surrounding area includes large format commercial retail, unemployment"},{"t":515,"text":"uses. Mayfair mole is directly across Finley Street. Immediately to"},{"t":519,"text":"the east of the site is a multi - story"},{"t":521,"text":"commercial building with surface parking. There's also a 3. 05"},{"t":525,"text":"metres city right away along the East Property line. A"},{"t":531,"text":"corresponding right away exists on the neighbouring property as well."},{"t":536,"text":"The official community plan identifies Mayfair Town Centre as a"},{"t":540,"text":"major mixed use development and mobility node. The area is"},{"t":544,"text":"expected to provide housing, employment, commercial uses, public spaces, and"},{"t":548,"text":"strong connections to transit in active transportation. The proposal is"},{"t":553,"text":"generally consistent with that overall direction. The Rezoning and Development"},{"t":560,"text":"Policy provides more detailed guidance for the area. Within the"},{"t":564,"text":"core of Mayfair Town Centre, the policy generally anticipates buildings"},{"t":567,"text":"of up to 18 stories and densities of up to"},{"t":570,"text":"five four space ratio. The proposal is for 22 stories"},{"t":574,"text":"and for 5. 39 forest space ratio. So it exceeds"},{"t":578,"text":"both benchmarks. The policy also directs taller buildings towards Douglas"},{"t":582,"text":"Street and calls for active uses along Douglas and Finleys"},{"t":586,"text":"and Streets. Staff recommends support for the additional heightened density"},{"t":592,"text":"proposed. The site is in the core of May of"},{"t":595,"text":"Air Town Centre and is directly on the rapid transit"},{"t":597,"text":"corridor at a key intersection. It's offering of a range"},{"t":601,"text":"of rental homes at great commercial retail spaces, public relevant"},{"t":604,"text":"mobility improvements. Put it in strong alignment with the official"},{"t":608,"text":"community plan and the rezoning and development policy objectives. City"},{"t":616,"text":"land use policies seek a minimum non - residential density"},{"t":619,"text":"of one floor space ratio in the Central part of"},{"t":621,"text":"Mayfair Town Centre. The proposal does provide street activating and"},{"t":626,"text":"usable commercial floor area along its three frontages on Douglas"},{"t":631,"text":"Finleyson and Large Streets, but does not meet the density"},{"t":634,"text":"target. The applicant has advised that pergeotechnical conditions limit the"},{"t":639,"text":"feasibility of a larger commercial podium that could help provide"},{"t":642,"text":"more non - residential density. The rezoning and development policy"},{"t":647,"text":"sports flexibility on the non - residential density target in"},{"t":650,"text":"favor of policy - aligned housing outcomes. Given the configuration"},{"t":653,"text":"of the AtGADE Commercial Space and its public relement interfaces,"},{"t":657,"text":"and this policy, staff recommends support for this land use"},{"t":660,"text":"policy departure. Now turning to housing, the proposal includes a"},{"t":667,"text":"range of homes, studios, one bedroom homes, two bedroom homes,"},{"t":670,"text":"and three bedroom homes. Staff recommends securing all 208 homes"},{"t":674,"text":"as rental housing for 360 years or for the life"},{"t":677,"text":"of the building, whichever is greater. Approximately 30 percent of"},{"t":682,"text":"the homes would have two bedrooms compared to the required"},{"t":685,"text":"20 percent. Overall, however, approximately"},{"t":695,"text":"38 percent of the homes would have two or more"},{"t":697,"text":"bedrooms, staff recommend legally securing this family - family -"},{"t":701,"text":"family housing commitment. The project was initially advanced in anticipation"},{"t":708,"text":"of funding through the province's community housing fund. Following the"},{"t":712,"text":"suspension of that funding intake in February 2026, the applicants"},{"t":717,"text":"could not commit to specific levels of affordability. The application"},{"t":721,"text":"is therefore being assessed as a purpose - built market"},{"t":723,"text":"rental housing project. And at this time, no specific below"},{"t":727,"text":"market affordability commitment would be secured. I will now turn"},{"t":733,"text":"to the public realm. At Douglas M. Family Centre Streets,"},{"t":736,"text":"the proposed development agreement would secure a publicly accessible plaza,"},{"t":742,"text":"including a public art component. Commercial uses would frame the"},{"t":746,"text":"plaza and animate this prominent corner. Along Douglas Street, an"},{"t":753,"text":"enhanced sidewalk space would include street trees, soil cells, and"},{"t":756,"text":"integrated rainwater management measures along with street activating commercial uses."},{"t":763,"text":"Long family's in Street, the standard frontage works would include"},{"t":767,"text":"a separated bicycle lane and the floating transit stop enabled"},{"t":770,"text":"by a liprode dedication. This frontage is envisioned to have"},{"t":773,"text":"street trees, soil cells, and rainwater arrangement measures. It would"},{"t":779,"text":"also be activated by the residential lobby and that great"},{"t":782,"text":"commercial areas. The recommended development agreements would also secure the"},{"t":786,"text":"bicycle lane transition towards the neighbouring property to the east."},{"t":793,"text":"Vehicular access loading and servicing would be located on Large"},{"t":796,"text":"Street. This keeps those functions away from the primary Douglas"},{"t":800,"text":"and Finleys enfrontages. There are less this frontage would also"},{"t":805,"text":"have street activating commercial uses, street trees, as well as"},{"t":808,"text":"a fool - width pedestrian crossing a large street at"},{"t":811,"text":"Douglas Street at the corner. And regarding mobility, the proposal"},{"t":818,"text":"includes residential parking spaces, mostly on the one below grade"},{"t":823,"text":"parcade level. It also includes parking spaces on level one"},{"t":827,"text":"shared between residential visitors and commercial uses. The proposed parking"},{"t":832,"text":"spaces are fewer than what is required by our current"},{"t":835,"text":"parking regulations and would therefore require variances. Staff support the"},{"t":840,"text":"proposed variances based on the rapid transit accessibility of the"},{"t":843,"text":"site and the applicants commitment to a sustainable mobility package,"},{"t":847,"text":"including transit passes for residents and proposed car share and"},{"t":851,"text":"bicycle facilities. Accessible and van accessible parking would still be"},{"t":856,"text":"required at the bylaw rates and would not be varied."},{"t":863,"text":"The sustainable mobility package includes a contribution of 1, 500"},{"t":866,"text":"dollars per home towards ecopass or a similar transit program."},{"t":870,"text":"It also includes an electric CAR vehicle, car share vehicle"},{"t":874,"text":"enabled by at least 55, 000 dollars towards purchase and"},{"t":877,"text":"operation and dedicated parking space with charging usage credits for"},{"t":880,"text":"residents. The proposal means the requirements for long - term"},{"t":886,"text":"and short - term bicycle spaces. It would also include"},{"t":891,"text":"oversized spaces, e - bike charging, bike washer maintenance area,"},{"t":895,"text":"and the dedicated bike elevator. A variance would allow a"},{"t":899,"text":"larger number of double stack racks, subject to certain design"},{"t":902,"text":"criteria. Turning to build form, the proposal has a podium"},{"t":910,"text":"tower massing approach. Active commercial uses defined the base and"},{"t":914,"text":"above that, the tower is set back from the primary"},{"t":917,"text":"street frontages and is expressed as a relatively standard form."},{"t":921,"text":"Its strategic articulation, compact floor plates and facade compositions, um,"},{"t":926,"text":"help respond to the site's prominent corner location in alignment"},{"t":929,"text":"with the design guidelines. The podium expression, including the level"},{"t":933,"text":"two outdoor amenity area enclosure, is inspired by co -"},{"t":937,"text":"saleage building traditions. Indigenous - sled artwork is incorporated into"},{"t":941,"text":"the tower facades and into the corner plaza. The rooftop"},{"t":945,"text":"mechanical screening and elevator overrun are also integrated into the"},{"t":948,"text":"overall building composition. The primary exterior materials are metal panel"},{"t":955,"text":"and painted architectural concrete. Staff consider these materials to be"},{"t":959,"text":"generally durable and in alignment with the applicable design guidelines."},{"t":965,"text":"The proposal includes a large outdoor amended area on level"},{"t":968,"text":"two with space for seating, play, gathering, food - growing"},{"t":972,"text":"and planting. There's also an indoor amenity room, and then"},{"t":976,"text":"joining terrace at the top floor on level 22. Most"},{"t":979,"text":"homes would not have individual balconies or patios. Therefore, the"},{"t":985,"text":"functionality and year - round comfort of the shared spaces"},{"t":988,"text":"is particularly important. In alignment with the advisory design panel"},{"t":993,"text":"input, staff recommend adding an indoor amenity space beside the"},{"t":997,"text":"level two outdoor meded area with access to universal washroom."},{"t":1001,"text":"Exploration of design refinements I recommended for the outdoor amenity"},{"t":1004,"text":"area. Staff also recommend an exploration of strategies for enhanced"},{"t":1008,"text":"access to amenity, daily, and fresh air, uh, from dwelling"},{"t":1011,"text":"units, particularly for larger homes. These explorations will be pragmatic"},{"t":1017,"text":"strategic and focused and would not be anticipated to result"},{"t":1019,"text":"in major departures from the key design moves proposed. The"},{"t":1025,"text":"East Rider Way contains underground city infrastructure and also forms"},{"t":1028,"text":"part of a required exit route. The corresponding right away"},{"t":1032,"text":"on the neighbouring property may provide an opportunity for, um,"},{"t":1036,"text":"uh, for future integration or interface, if and when that"},{"t":1040,"text":"property is redeveloped. Uh, this site's specific condition offers design"},{"t":1044,"text":"opportunities for access, planting, and outdoor amenity. Um, so the"},{"t":1051,"text":"proposal in this space, um, would include a walkable removable"},{"t":1055,"text":"surface, removable planting, lighting, controlled access, and treatment of the"},{"t":1058,"text":"adjacent building elevation. Staff recommend, focused in the pragmatic exploration"},{"t":1064,"text":"of any further refinemus, the space is an extension of"},{"t":1067,"text":"the proposals shared outdoor spaces while being mindful of city"},{"t":1072,"text":"infrastructure needs. And while also not precluding opportunities to integrate"},{"t":1076,"text":"or interface the space with future development next door. This"},{"t":1080,"text":"open size condition on this site is mirrored on the"},{"t":1083,"text":"neighbouring site. And the overall recommended urban design approach is"},{"t":1088,"text":"for future development on both sides to meaningfully response to"},{"t":1091,"text":"this mid - block condition six metres wide in aggregate."},{"t":1098,"text":"And turning to urban forest, the proposal would remove several"},{"t":1101,"text":"protected trees on the property and a number of existing"},{"t":1103,"text":"municipal frontage trees. Instead, uh, new irrigated boulevard trees are"},{"t":1108,"text":"proposed on all three street frontages. The chief protection bylaw"},{"t":1111,"text":"requires 12 by - log compliant trees on the property."},{"t":1114,"text":"The current plan does not meet that requirement. Staff therefore"},{"t":1117,"text":"recommend a strategic and focused exploration of tree planting opportunities"},{"t":1121,"text":"on site, which can be approached in the coordination with"},{"t":1124,"text":"shared amenity area refinements recommended. The principal variances relate to"},{"t":1133,"text":"three bedroom homes, height, the large street rear yard setback,"},{"t":1136,"text":"landscape area, rooftop structures, vehicle parking, and the double stacked"},{"t":1140,"text":"bike cracks. Staff consider the variances portable based on the"},{"t":1146,"text":"proposed housing mix site configuration integrated rooftop design, rapid transit,"},{"t":1151,"text":"uh, accessible location. And the sustainable mobility package. In conclusion,"},{"t":1158,"text":"staff recommends support for the Rezoning and Development with variances"},{"t":1161,"text":"for this project. The proposal would provide 208 purpose -"},{"t":1165,"text":"built rental homes, active commercial frontages, a publicly accessible plaza,"},{"t":1169,"text":"indigenous - led artwork, and substantial public relembrant mobility improvements."},{"t":1173,"text":"The proposal exceeds the heightened density, generally anticipated by policy"},{"t":1179,"text":"and provides less non - residential floor area than targeted."},{"t":1185,"text":"Staff consider these departures to be supportable based on site's"},{"t":1188,"text":"location. It's policyland housing offerings and anticipated overall design outcomes."},{"t":1194,"text":"The remaining design refinements can be addressed in a focused"},{"t":1196,"text":"manner through the recommended conditions towards upcoming process milestones, of"},{"t":1204,"text":"course, subjective council decision and support. That concludes the staff"},{"t":1210,"text":"presentation. We're happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Thank"},{"t":1213,"text":"you very much. Let's start with questions. Councillor Hammond. Thanks,"},{"t":1221,"text":"Mayor, and thanks for the presentation. Was this originally supposed"},{"t":1224,"text":"to include 88 Affordable units. Ms. Truckdom. I'm through the"},{"t":1231,"text":"mayor. Yes. So, uh, the application was received last year,"},{"t":1239,"text":"and this was prior to the changes. Or at least"},{"t":1243,"text":"we understand suspension of the community housing fund. So while"},{"t":1249,"text":"that was still contingent on the availability of funding, uh,"},{"t":1255,"text":"the intent of the applicant. I believe it still is"},{"t":1258,"text":"the intent of the applicant if funding becomes available. But"},{"t":1263,"text":"currently, it is not possible to commit to it due"},{"t":1267,"text":"to funding uncertainties. So at the moment, we, well, and"},{"t":1273,"text":"a prayer, we are voting on something that is as"},{"t":1277,"text":"is with no affordable housing at the moment. Correct. Uh,"},{"t":1282,"text":"through the mayor, so given the circumstances, but still, given"},{"t":1288,"text":"the commitment to rental tenure. No, no, that's all good."},{"t":1292,"text":"That's all good. Yeah. Thanks very much. So the reason"},{"t":1294,"text":"I'm asking this is that the parking study calculated 120"},{"t":1301,"text":"market rental units and 88 affordable units. But because the"},{"t":1304,"text":"current application no longer secures those 88 units as affordable"},{"t":1308,"text":"housing, in fact, it's not on there at all other"},{"t":1310,"text":"than a hope. Has staff assessed the parking demand using"},{"t":1314,"text":"the current market rental assumptions. Mr. Through Mayor, perhaps, um,"},{"t":1323,"text":"our colleagues at Engineering and Tresportation could speak further to"},{"t":1327,"text":"this question. Mr. Doyle, is that you or is Mr."},{"t":1331,"text":"Kenney online. Through the mayor, I can confirm that the"},{"t":1340,"text":"transportation to van management suite took into account the final"},{"t":1344,"text":"configuration of the housing, which did not include the affordable."},{"t":1349,"text":"So the market rental, uh, reflects the housing or the"},{"t":1353,"text":"transportation to bad management measures that the city found consistent"},{"t":1356,"text":"with other applications. So just to be clear, the current"},{"t":1362,"text":"recommendation did take into account the fact that there is"},{"t":1365,"text":"no affordable housing in this current model. Ty, it's correct."},{"t":1373,"text":"Maybe on that, then I can just ask, was there"},{"t":1376,"text":"any change in any of the, um, transportation amenities or"},{"t":1382,"text":"transportation requirements? Was there any change from when it was"},{"t":1387,"text":"expected to be 88 and what it is? And now"},{"t":1389,"text":"that the housing."},{"t":1400,"text":"Our colleagues at Transportation and Engineering, uh, might be able"},{"t":1404,"text":"to speak to this in greater detail. I think they're"},{"t":1406,"text":"looking. Mr. Doyle, do you happen to know that? Through"},{"t":1411,"text":"the mayor, we reviewed the TDM package and considered the"},{"t":1415,"text":"offsite works, including the Large Street works and the bike"},{"t":1417,"text":"lane on Finleyson. And we believed it was, uh, it"},{"t":1420,"text":"was, it was, it was a good refler package. Okay."},{"t":1425,"text":"And through the mayor, just to be clear, was there"},{"t":1428,"text":"any, when this was coming forward, it affordable and therefore,"},{"t":1432,"text":"um, there might've been less demand for the parking. Was"},{"t":1436,"text":"there any plan of the TDM that was different than"},{"t":1440,"text":"what it is now? Ms. Rectum. Through the mayor, I'm"},{"t":1445,"text":"sorry. I'll just inquire with my colleagues. I wasn't involved"},{"t":1448,"text":"through the steps of the negotiation, just aware that we"},{"t":1450,"text":"supported the final configuration. Sure. Oh, I'll get back to"},{"t":1453,"text":"you. Anything else? Okay. Any other questions. Councillor Coleman. Well,"},{"t":1462,"text":"just a follow - up on that in a slightly"},{"t":1464,"text":"different, one of the TDM measurements that was brought to"},{"t":1468,"text":"playering this is the 1500 dollars per unit. How does"},{"t":1476,"text":"that actually work out? It's 312, 000 dollars. When the"},{"t":1479,"text":"money runs out, there is an impact. It's expected that"},{"t":1484,"text":"the residents will then purchase bus passes. Have we adjusted"},{"t":1488,"text":"that? And it may be an ancillary question for Mr."},{"t":1492,"text":"Doyle to ask to his staff. I don't know. Mr."},{"t":1495,"text":"Dwell? Uh, through the mayor of the intention of the"},{"t":1497,"text":"EcoPOS fund is to provide new residents, uh, chance to"},{"t":1501,"text":"establish habits and of using transit. So yes, it's true."},{"t":1507,"text":"The fund does run out after some time. But the"},{"t":1509,"text":"hope is that the residents have ingrained some, some, some"},{"t":1512,"text":"better use of the transit. But thank you for that."},{"t":1516,"text":"This subsidiary question would be the eco pass. Is for"},{"t":1520,"text":"new residents. At some point the turnover in the residential"},{"t":1524,"text":"capacity. And at some point new residents coming in will"},{"t":1527,"text":"be told that there's, they're on their own for bus"},{"t":1532,"text":"passes. Is that, is my assumption correct. Mr. Joyle? Through"},{"t":1536,"text":"the mirror, if I'm not exactly sure if it's, say"},{"t":1540,"text":"someone comes in and leaves within a few months while"},{"t":1542,"text":"that, uh, 1500 dollar per unit is still there My"},{"t":1545,"text":"presumption is it does continue on to, to the next"},{"t":1548,"text":"tenant. Okay. Thank you. I've just received confirmation of that"},{"t":1553,"text":"from a colleague. Thank you. Okay. Do you have that"},{"t":1554,"text":"information now. On the previous question of the Affordable Housing?"},{"t":1560,"text":"It was a relatively small impact that the parking requirements"},{"t":1565,"text":"from removal of the Affordable elements. So we did really"},{"t":1568,"text":"see across the board a very strong package of transportation"},{"t":1571,"text":"demand management measures. So considered it, uh, fine. Okay. Thank"},{"t":1576,"text":"you. Thank you. Councillor Lotenciller Gardner. Good morning. And through"},{"t":1582,"text":"you, Mayor. I'm just, I'm curious about how much the"},{"t":1587,"text":"pausing or the repacing of the community housing fund affected"},{"t":1590,"text":"this project."},{"t":1603,"text":"Like in addition to affordability commitments, uh, I think also,"},{"t":1607,"text":"uh, based on staff understanding working with the applicant, uh,"},{"t":1613,"text":"there was a certain timeline in mind. So I think"},{"t":1616,"text":"that also got affected by deposing of this. And we"},{"t":1621,"text":"understand also from the applicant team that, uh. This may"},{"t":1625,"text":"result in the exploration of other opportunities, other development scenarios,"},{"t":1630,"text":"uh, for the, for the site exploration of other funding,"},{"t":1635,"text":"uh, avenues, uh, from provincial or federal governments, uh, could"},{"t":1639,"text":"be partnerships with development partners in some form, uh, to"},{"t":1645,"text":"advance this forward. So at a high level, those I"},{"t":1649,"text":"can say, but perhaps, um, my colleagues, Ms. Wayne and"},{"t":1654,"text":"also, um, Mr. Sauer, the manager of housing, uh, might"},{"t":1658,"text":"have additional comments. Is Wayne. Thank you, Susa Mayor, Charlotte"},{"t":1663,"text":"Wayne, Manager of Napolevelment Planning. I think just to add"},{"t":1666,"text":"to Mr Octum's point there, I think the key matters"},{"t":1670,"text":"for councils'consideration is the supportability of the rezoning and the"},{"t":1673,"text":"development permit with variants whilst we, of course, um, hope"},{"t":1677,"text":"that development prospers go forward. Staff doesn't consider, um, funding"},{"t":1684,"text":"as part of our consideration for the rezoning review of"},{"t":1688,"text":"the application itself. Okay. I guess just to go down"},{"t":1692,"text":"a little bit deeper, um, because this project was planning"},{"t":1697,"text":"to use the community housing fund. So when that was"},{"t":1701,"text":"removed around February or so things changed a lot. So"},{"t":1705,"text":"did that effect. The height and density, how did it"},{"t":1708,"text":"affect the proposal that were considering today? And I understand"},{"t":1714,"text":"that we're not going to, we're not projecting like if"},{"t":1720,"text":"there is more funding that comes in for affordable housing,"},{"t":1722,"text":"things are going to change. We're looking at what we're"},{"t":1723,"text":"looking at today as just a purpose built rental. But"},{"t":1727,"text":"I'm, I'm curious if that affected the height and density"},{"t":1730,"text":"around the current project. Just to be clear, Councillor Loughton"},{"t":1735,"text":"has correctly identified the fact that this is not a"},{"t":1738,"text":"material consideration. But it is of interest to counsel, I"},{"t":1742,"text":"think. So if you'd like to venture an opinion, you're"},{"t":1744,"text":"welcome to, but you're not required to. Through the mayor,"},{"t":1749,"text":"the former development, uh, remains substantially, uh, same. Very, very"},{"t":1754,"text":"close to what was initially proposed after the inquiry stage."},{"t":1758,"text":"So yeah. Okay. Thank you. That helps. Thanks, Mayor. That's"},{"t":1763,"text":"it for me. Councillor Gardner. Thank you. And thank you"},{"t":1766,"text":"for the presentation. Um, just some questions going back in"},{"t":1770,"text":"time and forward. Uh, what was the height limitation under"},{"t":1773,"text":"the burnside gorge LAP local area plan. Ms. Rectum. Uh,"},{"t":1779,"text":"through the mayor, prior to Burnside Gorge Lorea plan, uh,"},{"t":1785,"text":"personally, neighbourhood plan rather, uh, being repealed and replaced, uh,"},{"t":1790,"text":"by the rezoning and development policy in October 2025. It"},{"t":1795,"text":"would have been 12 stories. Thank you. Um. What is"},{"t":1803,"text":"the height limit in stories or metres under the OCP."},{"t":1807,"text":"Mr. Thrim Mayor, our official community plan, uh, does not"},{"t":1812,"text":"specify numerically, uh, density or, or height in a number"},{"t":1818,"text":"of stories or metres, uh, but, uh, finer grain guidance"},{"t":1822,"text":"comes from the review zoning and development policy, uh, in"},{"t":1826,"text":"there, the density, the envision density, uh, for this part"},{"t":1830,"text":"of Mayfair Town Centre is five floor space ratio and"},{"t":1834,"text":"the height is 18 stories. Uh, but without a numerical"},{"t":1839,"text":"number of metres. Sorry. What was that? I missed last"},{"t":1842,"text":"sentence. 18 stories with 18. Thank you. I could hear."},{"t":1845,"text":"Okay. Uh. No, it's a very high risk structure. And,"},{"t":1852,"text":"um, not many years ago. Apartment complexes of 10 to"},{"t":1856,"text":"15 stories were considered a challenge for the fire department"},{"t":1860,"text":"with some training actually being the building that I live"},{"t":1862,"text":"in. So this is much higher. So does the fire"},{"t":1866,"text":"department have equipment that could deal with major fires with"},{"t":1868,"text":"such a high tower. Chief Hutkinson. Thank you for the"},{"t":1873,"text":"question through the mayor. Um, verified in high rise is"},{"t":1878,"text":"a very specific and unique challenge. Um, it is less"},{"t":1882,"text":"to do with equipment and more specific to do with"},{"t":1884,"text":"your strategies and tactics and how you deploy resources to"},{"t":1887,"text":"the upper floors in order to manage those structures. Uh,"},{"t":1890,"text":"the Victoria fire department went to head with a very"},{"t":1892,"text":"comprehensive high rise operations, uh, training manual that we just"},{"t":1897,"text":"updated last year. We worked with industry experts from back"},{"t":1901,"text":"east. And we were actually featured at the high rise"},{"t":1903,"text":"firefighting symposium in New York last year. So very proud"},{"t":1906,"text":"of the work we've done. We don't have any concerns"},{"t":1908,"text":"at this time. Great. Thank you. Cause I think that"},{"t":1911,"text":"is a question that I sometimes hear. Uh, the transition"},{"t":1914,"text":"along Douglas from 0 to 20 stories and then 3"},{"t":1919,"text":"stories is actually quite harsh. And what were the, were"},{"t":1923,"text":"there more considerations maybe for giving 4 to 6 stories"},{"t":1926,"text":"kind of stepped in. Excuse me. And so I guess"},{"t":1930,"text":"my real question is a step back are already, uh,"},{"t":1934,"text":"suggested within the OCP 2050. And how does this particular,"},{"t":1939,"text":"um, project vary or does it, is it the same"},{"t":1944,"text":"as in the guidelines in OCP 2050 for high rises."},{"t":1949,"text":"Structum. Through the mayor, so."},{"t":1959,"text":"Based on the general urban design guidelines, uh, which applies"},{"t":1962,"text":"to this project, the step backs are very much aligned."},{"t":1966,"text":"In fact, more than the recommended step backs in most"},{"t":1970,"text":"cases. So staff, consider in that respect, um, this project"},{"t":1976,"text":"to be very much aligned with the design guidelines. On"},{"t":1978,"text":"all sides, are they? So I thought the one picture,"},{"t":1983,"text":"again, just looking at your photograph, the one picture seemed"},{"t":1985,"text":"very vertical. Without, uh, which one was it? I'm thinking"},{"t":1990,"text":"of the photograph. Yeah, there was one that looked very,"},{"t":1996,"text":"that wasn't that one. What's the other face. That one."},{"t":2006,"text":"That one. Where'd it go? Uh, through the"},{"t":2016,"text":"mayor, uh, and, uh, to Councillor Gardner's question, I wanted"},{"t":2020,"text":"to switch to a floor plan if that's okay. Uh,"},{"t":2024,"text":"that shows the, um, that, that, uh, portion of the"},{"t":2033,"text":"site. In that case, on Douglas Street, yes, the tall"},{"t":2040,"text":"form does come down to the floor, uh, to, to"},{"t":2044,"text":"grade. But in that case, again, that condition is moderated"},{"t":2049,"text":"by canopies and other, other features of that nature. But,"},{"t":2052,"text":"uh, on the other side, uh, there should be, um,"},{"t":2056,"text":"a tall form set back from the edge of the"},{"t":2058,"text":"podium. But there isn't any, on Douglas itself, which is"},{"t":2061,"text":"the most visible. It is not there on the Douglas"},{"t":2067,"text":"side. So there is no setback. So what would have"},{"t":2070,"text":"been the setback on the OCP? What is it. Through"},{"t":2076,"text":"the mayor, our official community plan does not provide this"},{"t":2080,"text":"granular guidance, uh, on, on TOL form, relationship of a"},{"t":2086,"text":"tall form to a podium or a lowerized component, uh,"},{"t":2092,"text":"it is generally encouraged in our design guidelines. As in"},{"t":2097,"text":"as an indicative kind of dimension, but without asking, without"},{"t":2103,"text":"establishing that there is a requirement, uh, oftentimes about three"},{"t":2107,"text":"metres or between two to three metres, uh, might be"},{"t":2112,"text":"considered, uh, a setback is being provided. And were they"},{"t":2117,"text":"considered here. That's correctum through the mayor. Yes, based on"},{"t":2126,"text":"staff working with the applicant, uh, starting with the pre"},{"t":2131,"text":"- application inquiry stage, uh, yes, those were explored by,"},{"t":2135,"text":"by the applicant, uh, various locations for the tall form."},{"t":2144,"text":"And this was the final result that they arrived at."},{"t":2147,"text":"So a number of setback conditions were explored during that"},{"t":2149,"text":"process. Um, at the same time, the location of the"},{"t":2154,"text":"tall form is in many ways conditioned by a parcade"},{"t":2158,"text":"level. Uh, so there was that constraint. And also, um,"},{"t":2164,"text":"additional consideration of, uh, the location of the TOL form"},{"t":2168,"text":"in relation to the neighbouring property, any potential impacts on"},{"t":2172,"text":"the development viability of the neighbouring property, um, and of"},{"t":2175,"text":"course, its relationship to the street, imparting a sense of"},{"t":2179,"text":"scale, um, and reasonable transitions to, um, to the streetscape."},{"t":2184,"text":"So with all of these, uh, considered, uh, the applicant,"},{"t":2189,"text":"uh, work with staff, uh, on a number of tests,"},{"t":2194,"text":"explorations, if you will, and derive that, uh, at this"},{"t":2198,"text":"approach, uh, that's striped to balance all of those considerations."},{"t":2202,"text":"This way and you wanted to weigh in. Thank you"},{"t":2204,"text":"through the mayor. Um, just a point of clarification as"},{"t":2207,"text":"Mr. Octum said the, the OCP doesn't provide the guidelines"},{"t":2212,"text":"in terms of step backs for tour buildings. This comes"},{"t":2214,"text":"from the design guidelines, but also the zoning itself does"},{"t":2219,"text":"include requirements for setbacks as well above a certain story."},{"t":2224,"text":"And I did just, uh, have a look at the,"},{"t":2227,"text":"um, technical review of the zoning by law and the"},{"t":2231,"text":"comparison to the proposal. And the proposal is consistent with"},{"t":2235,"text":"the upper story setbacks are required under the zone. It"},{"t":2238,"text":"is consistent. It is consistent. Yeah. Okay. With that, so."},{"t":2244,"text":"Okay. Thank you. Cause, um. Douglas is still the real"},{"t":2248,"text":"face of the building for a longer than the public."},{"t":2252,"text":"So that's why I wanted to know if the discussion,"},{"t":2254,"text":"especially since what we did on the duck building and"},{"t":2256,"text":"others. So thank you for those, that's all my questions"},{"t":2258,"text":"for now. Thank you. Any other questions. I have one"},{"t":2262,"text":"question. Do you have a question or are you going"},{"t":2264,"text":"to move the motion? Well, I can divide. It. Uh,"},{"t":2267,"text":"well. Okay, go ahead, ask your question. I have one"},{"t":2271,"text":"more question before. I think I just have one more"},{"t":2273,"text":"question, which is around the design. And that is the"},{"t":2278,"text":"bit. Of, I've just lost it here about, Oh yeah,"},{"t":2281,"text":"explore more broadly available resident access to private outdoor amenity."},{"t":2286,"text":"Through balconies or patios, particularly for larger homes. I wonder"},{"t":2290,"text":"query that. Can we go back to the. Image that"},{"t":2292,"text":"shows the rooftop amenity. And I'll just note that I"},{"t":2297,"text":"think Mayor and I were the only ones who were"},{"t":2298,"text":"at the opening of the Spencer block, council, weren't we?"},{"t":2302,"text":"Yes, I think so. And, um, boy did that amenity"},{"t":2305,"text":"knock my socks off. That was a proposal that didn't"},{"t":2308,"text":"come to our council, went to the previous council. So"},{"t":2310,"text":"I didn't know much about it. And it has this"},{"t":2314,"text":"massive interior courtyard with fake grass and ping pong. And"},{"t":2321,"text":"patio, sorry, um, planters for plants, et cetera. The only"},{"t":2326,"text":"other building I know of that besides dispenser block in"},{"t":2328,"text":"the city is the apartment on the corner of Vancouver"},{"t":2332,"text":"and Pandora above savon that also has a really just"},{"t":2334,"text":"incredible elevated interior courtyard that's just so stunning. And this"},{"t":2338,"text":"one kind of reminds me of that. And so I"},{"t":2340,"text":"guess my question is how do we, I mean, this,"},{"t":2344,"text":"how do we balance the affordability of the housing with"},{"t":2347,"text":"the need for the amenities? This to me looks like"},{"t":2349,"text":"an incredible amenity that's going to be way better than"},{"t":2353,"text":"a two square metre patio that might drive up costs."},{"t":2357,"text":"And I don't know, I'm speculating here. That's why I"},{"t":2359,"text":"want to ask staff. But if you're living in a"},{"t":2361,"text":"small apartment, are you more likely to go down a"},{"t":2363,"text":"couple of flights of stairs, the elevator and go to"},{"t":2365,"text":"this like gigantic shared amenity? Or are you more likely"},{"t":2369,"text":"to spend time on your little patio? And what I"},{"t":2371,"text":"noticed that this Spencer block is that some of the"},{"t":2375,"text":"quote unquote at grade units, because I think it's actually"},{"t":2377,"text":"on the second floor, but they appear to be at"},{"t":2379,"text":"grade, have little patios. And the ones on the third,"},{"t":2382,"text":"fourth, fifth floor have sometimes those kind of grading that"},{"t":2385,"text":"kind of lame. They kind of look like a patio"},{"t":2387,"text":"or a balcony, but they're not. So I, I, I'm"},{"t":2391,"text":"mindful of the fact that we're trying to keep housing"},{"t":2392,"text":"affordable. So how, how do you balance those two things,"},{"t":2397,"text":"especially given that there's this massive and apparently quite, quite"},{"t":2400,"text":"generous and incredible shared amenity. Mr. Rectum. Through the Mayor,"},{"t":2408,"text":"our design guidelines applicable to the site, encourage both. Uh,"},{"t":2412,"text":"so, um, of course, uh, that is the basis of"},{"t":2417,"text":"staff conversations with the applicant on the topic. But of"},{"t":2421,"text":"course, it's a conversation rather than, um, and ask a"},{"t":2429,"text":"requirement. Exactly. Uh, from staff. So, um, of course staff"},{"t":2435,"text":"are aware of the, of the qualities of the, of"},{"t":2438,"text":"the level to outdoorminity area, uh, it's size. Uh, but"},{"t":2446,"text":"still, uh, on the base of our design guidelines, uh,"},{"t":2451,"text":"it is of course wonderful and ideal when both options"},{"t":2455,"text":"are available. So, um, but I mentioned it's a conversation"},{"t":2460,"text":"with the applicant. We hear limitations. That might be arising"},{"t":2466,"text":"from a number of factors. Uh, so, uh, it is"},{"t":2470,"text":"for that reason, uh, recommendation to explore this further is"},{"t":2476,"text":"pragmatic and strategic does not need to result in balconies."},{"t":2481,"text":"It could be larger fenestration with guardrails. Like Juliet balconies"},{"t":2488,"text":"for that reason, uh, and conversation with the applicant deliberately"},{"t":2492,"text":"formulated as an explore type of an item recommendation. If"},{"t":2499,"text":"it is possible, um, in conversation with the applicant within"},{"t":2503,"text":"the, um, uh, within the context of this project. Okay."},{"t":2507,"text":"Thanks. And maybe just one last question, which is the"},{"t":2509,"text":"zoning bylaw amendment would obviously outlive the DP. The DP"},{"t":2515,"text":"is applicable for two years only. So even if the"},{"t":2518,"text":"DP were to lapse that zoning change is still on"},{"t":2521,"text":"the books. Is that correct? Directo. Through the mayor. Uh,"},{"t":2526,"text":"yes, correct. And, uh, if necessary, uh, staff, uh, might"},{"t":2533,"text":"be able to, uh, work on extension of the development"},{"t":2537,"text":"permit for two more years under a delegated development permit"},{"t":2540,"text":"application. If so, if this is needed for the, for"},{"t":2543,"text":"the project to happen, uh, but beyond that, correct it"},{"t":2550,"text":"would, the DP would labs. Okay. Thanks. I didn't know"},{"t":2552,"text":"about DP extensions. Thank you. And one question somewhat related"},{"t":2555,"text":"to that last question. And that's more specifically in your"},{"t":2560,"text":"rezoning application recommendation, which is to C sub three. Exactly"},{"t":2565,"text":"on that point. It does say explore more broadly available"},{"t":2568,"text":"resident access to private outdoor amenity, etc. My question specifically"},{"t":2573,"text":"is, is it explore and if the exploration does not"},{"t":2578,"text":"allow there to be such a change without materially changing"},{"t":2582,"text":"the design? Or is it require. Because there were two"},{"t":2586,"text":"very different verbs in my understanding. Through the mayor. It"},{"t":2594,"text":"was deliberately, um, proposed to be an explorer, uh, explore"},{"t":2600,"text":"the operative. We're advaded and require. Again, all too. And"},{"t":2607,"text":"these, these conditions are in there in consultation with the"},{"t":2609,"text":"applicant as well with the shared understanding that, um, let's"},{"t":2616,"text":"try, but, uh, it does not need to be an"},{"t":2618,"text":"absolute requirement. A CNE QAnon condition for the project. So"},{"t":2625,"text":"as long as there's been sufficient exploration to the satisfaction"},{"t":2628,"text":"of the director of planning that that meets that requirement,"},{"t":2630,"text":"is that correct? Yes. I'm seeing nodding. Yes, Ms. Wind,"},{"t":2634,"text":"very good. All right. That was my only question. Uh,"},{"t":2636,"text":"anyone else have any questions. If not, would someone like"},{"t":2640,"text":"to move these staff recommendation? Councillor Thompson is moving. Councillor"},{"t":2645,"text":"Kim is second and councillor Thompson. Any comments? Uh, yeah,"},{"t":2649,"text":"I'll be brief Mayor. Thanks very much. And through you,"},{"t":2651,"text":"thanks very much to staff for the, uh, report and"},{"t":2656,"text":"the discussion. Um, I think that, uh, it's a great"},{"t":2661,"text":"project. It's a striking, beautiful building. It's much needed housing"},{"t":2668,"text":"in an area that could use it. It's going to"},{"t":2671,"text":"result in more eyes on the street. I'm not particularly"},{"t":2674,"text":"worried about the lack of balconies. I think as everybody"},{"t":2679,"text":"who drives around town can see a lot of balconies,"},{"t":2682,"text":"our storage for disused exercise equipment. Some people live with"},{"t":2688,"text":"them. Some people live without them. Uh, it's a choice."},{"t":2692,"text":"Um, I had the pleasure of, uh, living in my"},{"t":2697,"text":"university days on an enclosed balcony. But yeah, not everybody"},{"t":2703,"text":"has to have balcony and city councils need to stop"},{"t":2706,"text":"telling people how they have to live. So. Um, I"},{"t":2710,"text":"think, uh, but going back to it, the staff report"},{"t":2714,"text":"is very clear. The reasons for the recommendation. And I'm"},{"t":2720,"text":"happy to see this going forward. Thank you. Thank you."},{"t":2722,"text":"Councillor Kim is the secondaire. Nothing to add councillor current."},{"t":2727,"text":"I don't know. Yeah. I, I'm supportive of this one."},{"t":2731,"text":"I'm, I'm still a little bit confused by it. I"},{"t":2734,"text":"mean, I know it comes from macola, which is usually,"},{"t":2737,"text":"uh, a non market affordable housing provider, the level of"},{"t":2741,"text":"affordability here for me is a little bit, uh, of"},{"t":2744,"text":"a question and echoing what my colleague said, the pause"},{"t":2748,"text":"on CHF and some of the financing coming from PC"},{"t":2751,"text":"housing. Well, all of it really. I think could be"},{"t":2754,"text":"a real challenge here. And that's why I was asking"},{"t":2755,"text":"the question about how long the DP is last. If"},{"t":2758,"text":"the DP is renewable, it gives them a four year"},{"t":2761,"text":"window to try to get something started. But it's just"},{"t":2764,"text":"incredibly challenging right now. And the construction environment is really"},{"t":2768,"text":"challenging. Both for market and for non - market. So"},{"t":2771,"text":"I think I wouldn't be surprised if the action here"},{"t":2775,"text":"in the next couple of years. But as noted, the"},{"t":2779,"text":"zoning changes would outlive any DPs. But that's said, I"},{"t":2784,"text":"think whether this ends up as deeply subsidized or near"},{"t":2788,"text":"market or whatever it is, I do think that this"},{"t":2790,"text":"is the right place for that kind of density. It's"},{"t":2792,"text":"right on Douglas for those of us around the table"},{"t":2795,"text":"who are transit commissioners. We just announced, when was it?"},{"t":2798,"text":"Yesterday, the day before Tuesday. The big moves that are"},{"t":2802,"text":"coming, which includes long - term planning for, uh, light"},{"t":2806,"text":"rail linemen along Highway 1 up Douglas and out to"},{"t":2808,"text":"the West shore. There's also planning for the Inn line."},{"t":2811,"text":"It's hard to say when exactly that'll happen. But I'm"},{"t":2813,"text":"trying to think long term, not three or five years,"},{"t":2816,"text":"but 15, 20, 40, 50 years. Eventually the rapid transit"},{"t":2820,"text":"along Douglas. And this is going to be the place"},{"t":2822,"text":"for density. People will be able to hop on light"},{"t":2825,"text":"rail or if not, then BRT. Get up to uptown,"},{"t":2828,"text":"get to downtown, get to, it's a short walk to"},{"t":2831,"text":"TOPAZ park, uh, where you can play pickleball on our"},{"t":2834,"text":"11 brand new courts. Three of what you're dropping. The"},{"t":2839,"text":"rest you can book. I digress. This is the place"},{"t":2844,"text":"for density. If we're not building density along Douglas, then"},{"t":2847,"text":"really where we talking about building density. Also the RiftOp"},{"t":2850,"text":"amenity looks stunning having just visited the Spencer block. I"},{"t":2854,"text":"just, I can't say enough good things about it. It"},{"t":2857,"text":"was just, I didn't know it was there partly, right?"},{"t":2859,"text":"Because we didn't approve that development. So I went up"},{"t":2861,"text":"there. I was like, wow, this isn't an oasis right"},{"t":2863,"text":"in the middle of the city. Yes, the noise and"},{"t":2866,"text":"some emissions along Douglas, but I think people would be"},{"t":2869,"text":"able to go up onto this rooftop amenity someday and"},{"t":2871,"text":"feel some respite from living in the city. So I"},{"t":2875,"text":"think the design is frankly better than nine - tenths"},{"t":2878,"text":"of what comes to our desk. And so even though"},{"t":2881,"text":"I have some questions about how quickly this is going"},{"t":2883,"text":"to happen and the level of affordability and the financing,"},{"t":2886,"text":"I don't think it's entirely material to our decision today,"},{"t":2889,"text":"which is really about land use. And I think the"},{"t":2890,"text":"land use can support this level of density there in"},{"t":2892,"text":"the designs. So thanks to staff for working with the"},{"t":2895,"text":"proponents and I'm happy to see it move forward. Thank"},{"t":2897,"text":"you. I'm going to go back to Councillor Kim as"},{"t":2899,"text":"the secondary who has something to add at this point."},{"t":2901,"text":"I'll return to the speakers list. Thanks, Mayor. Um, through"},{"t":2905,"text":"the chair, I won't echo all of the wonderful things"},{"t":2910,"text":"that folks are saying about this. I'll just flag something"},{"t":2912,"text":"that has kind of just been tickling in the back"},{"t":2916,"text":"of my brain in a way, I don't particularly love,"},{"t":2919,"text":"which is, um, what we're seeing with the trees happening"},{"t":2922,"text":"on that site coupled with the fact that this is,"},{"t":2926,"text":"uh, very dense rental along a transit heavy corridor just"},{"t":2930,"text":"raises some air pollution concerns for me, which I understand"},{"t":2934,"text":"are kind of more like, this is the reality of"},{"t":2937,"text":"the situation. What can we do about it in this"},{"t":2939,"text":"scope? But I do raise that as a concern, particularly"},{"t":2942,"text":"because I, um, because of this rental being specifically for"},{"t":2946,"text":"indigenous residents, um, yeah, just a real public health concern"},{"t":2951,"text":"on that. But the relevance to the land use matter"},{"t":2955,"text":"here is outside of the scope. And I recognise that."},{"t":2958,"text":"Thanks Mayor. Thank you very much. Councillor Loten and then"},{"t":2961,"text":"comes for COME Thanks to you Mayor. I just, I"},{"t":2963,"text":"agree with the comments about it being the appropriate amount"},{"t":2968,"text":"of density for a transit corridor. I think that is"},{"t":2971,"text":"the vision for the future for the transit corridor. Um,"},{"t":2976,"text":"it's an outstanding building. It's going to be a landmark"},{"t":2979,"text":"attraction. I think it's incredibly special with the indigenous artwork"},{"t":2984,"text":"incorporated into the architecture. I don't think I've seen anything"},{"t":2987,"text":"quite like that in Victoria besides the teles building. And"},{"t":2991,"text":"so that is very special. And although this is not"},{"t":2996,"text":"germane to the conversation today, it was very upsetting. I"},{"t":3003,"text":"would call it a travesty that the community housing funding"},{"t":3007,"text":"was repaced. And so it was cut out of this"},{"t":3011,"text":"project. This is a time when we need to be"},{"t":3015,"text":"supporting and making affordable housing projects possible. It's not a"},{"t":3020,"text":"time to go backwards on that. Um, it's a travesty."},{"t":3024,"text":"And I think it must have come as a shock"},{"t":3026,"text":"and an incredible disappointment to the proponents. And I share"},{"t":3029,"text":"that feeling. It's an outstandingly huge missed opportunity in this"},{"t":3037,"text":"project. And it's unfortunate. And I hope the way in"},{"t":3042,"text":"the future that that comes back. But again, not germane"},{"t":3045,"text":"to our decision today, but I just wanted that on"},{"t":3047,"text":"the public record. Thanks to staff for all your work."},{"t":3050,"text":"Appreciate it. Thank you, Councillor Coleman. Thank you. Um, let's"},{"t":3054,"text":"start with the aside. Repacing is a phrase that's used"},{"t":3058,"text":"by, uh, other orders of government to say, we'll think"},{"t":3064,"text":"about it later, um, to the development community, that means"},{"t":3068,"text":"it's gone for the moment. I need to move forward."},{"t":3072,"text":"So it's a convenient term to say I'm not going"},{"t":3077,"text":"to deal with it now. And I think we need"},{"t":3078,"text":"to be more honest about that. To the application specific,"},{"t":3082,"text":"um, it's fascinating to me that 22 stories anywhere would"},{"t":3086,"text":"normally get people going absolutely crazy. Um, 22 stories in"},{"t":3091,"text":"an area that allows 12 would certainly gain some, uh,"},{"t":3095,"text":"traction. In this case, both the ADP and the burnside"},{"t":3100,"text":"gorge land use committee have come out in favor of"},{"t":3103,"text":"this saying, it's absolutely appropriate. Yes, it's next to transit"},{"t":3108,"text":"corridor. Um, I'm not particularly fussed about the balcony side"},{"t":3113,"text":"of it. I think the amenities actually make up for"},{"t":3115,"text":"that. What I think is startling not just because the"},{"t":3119,"text":"burnside gorge land use committee wrote two letters in support"},{"t":3124,"text":"about a two months apart, I think. But I think"},{"t":3129,"text":"it signals the importance of this area adjacent to a"},{"t":3133,"text":"major commercial hub and the transit lines to say that"},{"t":3136,"text":"this is the appropriate move forward for this. The concern"},{"t":3139,"text":"I have is on the parking side. It's not enlarged"},{"t":3142,"text":"enough concern to move me away from this. But in"},{"t":3146,"text":"the parking report, they talk about the appropriateness of the"},{"t":3150,"text":"parking that is being supplied and in conjunction with the"},{"t":3156,"text":"on - street opportunity. And that becomes the externality that's"},{"t":3162,"text":"outside the thing. At some point it's used in the"},{"t":3166,"text":"residents, the street side parking, which is owned by all"},{"t":3169,"text":"of us. Will be used by others. And the residents"},{"t":3173,"text":"who say, well, no, that's my parking area. We'll then"},{"t":3176,"text":"come back and apply for residential parking only on the"},{"t":3179,"text":"side streets. And that's just a conundrum that we're creating"},{"t":3183,"text":"in the future. It's not enough to stop this moving"},{"t":3186,"text":"forward because I think this is actually a very good"},{"t":3189,"text":"application. And I am so pleased to see the neighbourhood."},{"t":3195,"text":"Adopt something that's actually twice as large, almost twice as"},{"t":3198,"text":"large as would be expected in the area. But they're"},{"t":3200,"text":"saying this is the appropriate place for this density. I'm"},{"t":3203,"text":"quite supportive, although I think we're creating a parking issue"},{"t":3206,"text":"down the road. Councillor Gardner. Thank you Mayor. The design"},{"t":3212,"text":"is great. Um, but I'm also concerned about insufficient parking"},{"t":3218,"text":"not only for cars, but for bikes. I think there's"},{"t":3222,"text":"going to be problems in both going down the road,"},{"t":3224,"text":"that it's insufficient. And we're going to get spillover in"},{"t":3227,"text":"other areas. And, uh, so that is of concern. Uh,"},{"t":3231,"text":"but given the location, the increased density is very supportable."},{"t":3236,"text":"And, um, I note that the, again, that the burnside"},{"t":3240,"text":"gorge calic supported. And I recall the creation of the"},{"t":3245,"text":"burnsite gorge look area plans and how they had to"},{"t":3247,"text":"do in the segments. And there was low participation rate"},{"t":3250,"text":"of residents in that area because there were very few"},{"t":3253,"text":"residents. And, um, and so that was, I think a"},{"t":3260,"text":"consideration of the burnside gorge, uh, CALU group. And, uh,"},{"t":3264,"text":"I know we're not supposed to consider the intent or"},{"t":3267,"text":"perspective tenants in any proposal. However, I have a few"},{"t":3273,"text":"of them call the housings right around me. And they're"},{"t":3276,"text":"managed so well. So I'm very hopeful that the challenges"},{"t":3279,"text":"that will come once this building is occupied will be"},{"t":3283,"text":"met by the MOCOLA group itself. Thank you. Thank you"},{"t":3287,"text":"very much. Councillor Hammond. Thanks Mayor. I'm often reluctant to"},{"t":3292,"text":"sport buildings that go beyond what our planning policies contemplate,"},{"t":3296,"text":"but context matters. This site is in the core of"},{"t":3298,"text":"the Mayfair Town Centre on the Douglas Street and rapid"},{"t":3301,"text":"transit corridor surrounded largely by commercial operations. It's not a,"},{"t":3306,"text":"it's not a 22 - story tower being dropped into"},{"t":3308,"text":"a low - density residential neighbourhood. It also provides 208"},{"t":3313,"text":"secured rental homes and active commercial space at street level"},{"t":3316,"text":"for those reasons. I can support the additional height and"},{"t":3319,"text":"density here. Thank you very much. Anybody else. Nope. I"},{"t":3326,"text":"think you're seeing this likely bank supported by the majority,"},{"t":3329,"text":"if not all council. I would just echo some of"},{"t":3332,"text":"the positive comments just by noting that I do think"},{"t":3334,"text":"that this is exactly the right application in the right"},{"t":3336,"text":"place. And the interesting thing about this for me is"},{"t":3339,"text":"that with all of the assets that have been identified"},{"t":3341,"text":"by staff and council members, uh, it really is a"},{"t":3345,"text":"building that's being designed for the future. And we don't"},{"t":3348,"text":"very often see that quite so transparently, but I think"},{"t":3352,"text":"when this is built, one hopes it will be built."},{"t":3355,"text":"It's not up to council. Or the city to ensure"},{"t":3358,"text":"the building. It is simply to permit it and encourage"},{"t":3361,"text":"it and to apply our other policies to ensuring that"},{"t":3364,"text":"it's as possible and easy as one can imagine. But"},{"t":3367,"text":"in the meantime, this is a fairly inspirational design. And"},{"t":3371,"text":"I think what it has providing for the community, uh,"},{"t":3374,"text":"around the rentals, around the diversity, around the open space,"},{"t":3377,"text":"you know, with others have said, it's quite remarkable. So"},{"t":3380,"text":"I'm quite happy to support this. And I hope that"},{"t":3382,"text":"it's an example for others in examining what's possible. And"},{"t":3386,"text":"what is clearly going to be in the future a"},{"t":3388,"text":"very dense corridor. So happy to support him. Not seeing"},{"t":3392,"text":"any other comments. So all those in favor of the"},{"t":3395,"text":"staff recommendation, anybody opposed. That is unanimous. Thank you very"},{"t":3400,"text":"much, Staff, for that excellent presentation. And thank you to"},{"t":3402,"text":"the applicant for being a little more visionary than sometimes"},{"t":3406,"text":"we see. A moves us on to a number of"},{"t":3411,"text":"items of new business. All of them were originally on"},{"t":3414,"text":"the consent agenda, but councillor Coleman has pulled a few"},{"t":3416,"text":"for comments and questions. So we'll start with G1. That"},{"t":3420,"text":"is the council member motion. A call to save critical"},{"t":3423,"text":"provincial and federal rent supplement programs. This was proposed by"},{"t":3427,"text":"Councillor Loton and seconded by myself. Councillor Coleman, you had"},{"t":3432,"text":"said that you had some comments. Would you like Councillor"},{"t":3434,"text":"Lauten to move and comment first? Sure. Very good. Councillor"},{"t":3438,"text":"Loden? Go ahead. Why don't you present this move to"},{"t":3440,"text":"2 over to you? Sure. Thanks. And through you mayor."},{"t":3445,"text":"Red and supplements are the most cost effective. And easiest"},{"t":3450,"text":"way to move people into housing from the street and"},{"t":3456,"text":"also to prevent homelessness. And there's two really important streams"},{"t":3462,"text":"for rent supplements that are at risk. So the supported"},{"t":3465,"text":"rent supplement program runs through the province. It works in"},{"t":3470,"text":"combination with the Canada British Columbia housing benefit. So it"},{"t":3475,"text":"takes rent supplements from that. And uses. Add supports to"},{"t":3480,"text":"that to help people find pathways off the street. So"},{"t":3484,"text":"what does that look like in reality? It's people moving"},{"t":3487,"text":"into market rentals with rent supplements with supports attached to"},{"t":3492,"text":"it. So it's an alternative for cases of lower acuity"},{"t":3499,"text":"that don't actually need supportive housing that can stay in"},{"t":3504,"text":"market rents with some level of support. And also the"},{"t":3508,"text":"Canada British Columbia Housing Benefit supports people just purely that"},{"t":3515,"text":"can't move into market renting because of financial reasons. So"},{"t":3521,"text":"the shelter allowance, pardon me, the shelter allowance rate for"},{"t":3527,"text":"people on income assistance or disability in British Columbia is"},{"t":3531,"text":"500 dollars a month is 1, 700 dollars. So there"},{"t":3536,"text":"is a huge gap there. So that's what these rent"},{"t":3539,"text":"supplements do. They make a lot of sense. They, and"},{"t":3543,"text":"they help us again prevent homelessness and help to move"},{"t":3547,"text":"people off the street. Additionally, um, the city has, it's"},{"t":3554,"text":"going to be announced later this fall, but we have"},{"t":3557,"text":"a positive transfer pilot program that's coming. And these rent"},{"t":3562,"text":"supplements are really going to be important to that. Um,"},{"t":3566,"text":"if we don't have the rent supplements from the provincial"},{"t":3571,"text":"and federal governments, then we won't be able to have"},{"t":3576,"text":"the funding to move people along. So there is about"},{"t":3579,"text":"a hundred people in support of housing right now that"},{"t":3583,"text":"are stuck there just over financial reasons. They don't require"},{"t":3586,"text":"the support anymore. And this, this project, the city led"},{"t":3593,"text":"positive transfer program would work with light supports to help"},{"t":3597,"text":"people maintain that housing, but the rent supplements are really"},{"t":3601,"text":"key to making that, that program flourish and work, which"},{"t":3606,"text":"could ultimately wind up in approximately a hundred new spaces"},{"t":3610,"text":"for people who are currently experiencing homelessness because the idea"},{"t":3614,"text":"is that people move from supportive housing into independent living"},{"t":3618,"text":"from shelter into supportive housing. And then from the street"},{"t":3621,"text":"into shelter. So it is a very important way to"},{"t":3626,"text":"help move people off the street in Victoria. And this"},{"t":3630,"text":"doesn't, it clearly, it's going to be life changing for"},{"t":3633,"text":"people experiencing homelessness. But this also supports first responders, police,"},{"t":3639,"text":"bylaw, frontline, mental health and outreach workers and residents and"},{"t":3644,"text":"businesses that are affected by unsheltered homelessness. So this is"},{"t":3648,"text":"a huge benefit for our entire community. And these rent"},{"t":3651,"text":"supplements are key to it. Thanks. Thank you very much."},{"t":3655,"text":"Um, I will just add, as the secondary, not something"},{"t":3658,"text":"substantive to that because I concur with everything that's been"},{"t":3661,"text":"said, uh, but you will note, of course, that this"},{"t":3664,"text":"particular motion and a number of the other advocacy motions"},{"t":3666,"text":"that will be considering today, uh, do specifically, uh, note"},{"t":3670,"text":"particular, uh, individual as their premier and or various ministers"},{"t":3676,"text":"given the current, uh, current suspension of the provincial government"},{"t":3680,"text":"as a legislative body. I will take it upon, um,"},{"t":3684,"text":"advice that these letters be sent to the positions rather"},{"t":3689,"text":"than the individuals, uh, and will also follow up after"},{"t":3692,"text":"the provincial election, uh, with whomever leave instructions. So remember"},{"t":3696,"text":"what happens to be in the chair to then, uh,"},{"t":3700,"text":"secondly, reiterate the same letters to whoever becomes the identified"},{"t":3704,"text":"holders of those particular positions so that the, um, ideas"},{"t":3708,"text":"and recommendations of council are heard both in the general"},{"t":3711,"text":"and in the specific term. Councillor Coleman. Thank you. Um,"},{"t":3717,"text":"and I think the direction is absolutely correct. I'm not"},{"t":3720,"text":"sure about the vehicle we're using. Earlier this year, I"},{"t":3723,"text":"worked with some representatives from local co - ops. And"},{"t":3728,"text":"they were trying to see an extension of the FC"},{"t":3731,"text":"HI, which is the federal community housing initiative, which was"},{"t":3735,"text":"set to expire in 27. Um, and we worked with"},{"t":3740,"text":"local federal reps and actually asked if we could present"},{"t":3746,"text":"to their government caucus meeting provincial caucus meeting in the"},{"t":3752,"text":"similar way that you, your worship, presented to that caucus"},{"t":3755,"text":"group on municipal initiatives for South Vancouver Island in June,"},{"t":3760,"text":"I think. So ask that. In fact, that program, and"},{"t":3765,"text":"it applies to rents ups for co - ops and"},{"t":3769,"text":"not for profits has been extended by five years starting"},{"t":3772,"text":"in 2028. Uh, just recently. I know that the national"},{"t":3778,"text":"association of cooperative housing is looking to try and make"},{"t":3783,"text":"out a 10 year extension. And I don't think you're"},{"t":3786,"text":"going to ever go to a government and say, make"},{"t":3788,"text":"this permanent because governments change. But I do think that,"},{"t":3792,"text":"uh, this is fine as it goes, but it's a"},{"t":3795,"text":"letter to the upper end of the system. And I"},{"t":3798,"text":"think going back to local MPs or MLAs as they"},{"t":3803,"text":"change to say, can we actually make presentations at your"},{"t":3807,"text":"local COS level makes more sense than perhaps a series,"},{"t":3811,"text":"I'm sure that whoever is the premier and the prime"},{"t":3816,"text":"minister as he is now get thousands of letters. And"},{"t":3820,"text":"it just goes into a stack. And I think the"},{"t":3821,"text":"local direction may be a better use for this. I"},{"t":3824,"text":"support this, but I just think the other pillar that"},{"t":3828,"text":"has to go with it is the local advocacy piece."},{"t":3832,"text":"Thank you for that. And I would just note that,"},{"t":3834,"text":"uh, journalism. If this is adopted or motions like this"},{"t":3838,"text":"are adopted, it is the custom of the mayor's office"},{"t":3842,"text":"to copy them to the local MPU or MLAs as"},{"t":3844,"text":"seems appropriate. So I'll just make sure that happens. If"},{"t":3846,"text":"this is a supportive councillor Thompson and then Councillor Kim."},{"t":3850,"text":"All right. Thanks Mayor. I'll be brief on this too."},{"t":3852,"text":"Uh, strongly support this. I've been meeting with downtown service"},{"t":3856,"text":"providers for monthly for four years. And this regularly gets"},{"t":3861,"text":"discussed how useful these are, um, to help improve the"},{"t":3867,"text":"flow through the Affordable Housing and supportive housing systems, uh,"},{"t":3872,"text":"and get people on their way. Uh, and it's far,"},{"t":3876,"text":"far cheaper than building affordable housing, which costs. On average,"},{"t":3880,"text":"500, 000 dollars per suite. And we're not talking about"},{"t":3883,"text":"granite countertops. We're talking about the cheapest possible builds that"},{"t":3887,"text":"are legal. Um, thanks for pointing out the idea about"},{"t":3892,"text":"the, um, who this needs to be addressed to. I"},{"t":3895,"text":"was going to make a motion to that effect. But"},{"t":3897,"text":"I guess you're just going to write the letter properly"},{"t":3900,"text":"with the understanding of the intent. Okay. Thank you. You're"},{"t":3903,"text":"welcome. Councillor Kim. Thank you. Through the chair. A question"},{"t":3911,"text":"to you actually. This letter that will be written. Will"},{"t":3917,"text":"you be incorporating some of the points and commentary that"},{"t":3920,"text":"council is making around the table. Great. Then I will"},{"t":3923,"text":"add my two cents. Um, this also supports, uh, as"},{"t":3928,"text":"director Rantucci taught me in a conversation, the regionalization of"},{"t":3932,"text":"homelessness as well and allowing, um, folks who are experiencing"},{"t":3938,"text":"homelessness in Victoria to then enter the private rental market"},{"t":3942,"text":"throughout the region. Um, moreover, a sort of ancillary effect"},{"t":3949,"text":"is we hear often about homeowners who cannot afford life"},{"t":3955,"text":"in general in Canada, as it were. Um, due to"},{"t":3959,"text":"fixed incomes, uh, rising cost of maintenance of their properties,"},{"t":3964,"text":"so on and so forth. And I really do see"},{"t":3965,"text":"this as a potential avenue for, um, increasing household revenue"},{"t":3973,"text":"and supporting these, um, these folks to hold onto their"},{"t":3977,"text":"homes. And while also providing a roof over the heads"},{"t":3981,"text":"of folks who need it the most. So I hope"},{"t":3983,"text":"that you can manage to wiggle that into the letter"},{"t":3985,"text":"somehow. Thank you. Do my best. Anyone else. Yes. Go"},{"t":3991,"text":"ahead and count security. I'll just say very briefly that"},{"t":3993,"text":"over at the, I strongly support this by the way"},{"t":3996,"text":"over at the CRHC, we have been building deep subsidy"},{"t":4000,"text":"housing like MADO on the green, which is coming."},{"t":4010,"text":"which is open now in James Bay. However, there's just"},{"t":4014,"text":"absolutely massive demand for those deep subsidy homes. And one"},{"t":4018,"text":"of the challenges, I'm not going to say the problem,"},{"t":4020,"text":"but one of the challenges is that most of the"},{"t":4021,"text":"deep subsidy units are quite small. And they're essentially little"},{"t":4025,"text":"studios, which doesn't isn't suitable for everyone and certainly not"},{"t":4028,"text":"for people who are in a family situation. So rent"},{"t":4031,"text":"supplements are in a sense of kind of deep subsidie"},{"t":4034,"text":"version of housing in market housing. But it does provide"},{"t":4037,"text":"more opportunities and different living arrangements such as one bedroom,"},{"t":4041,"text":"two bedroom, et cetera. So that shouldn't be lost. I've"},{"t":4043,"text":"actually, when I've done tours of some of our CRD"},{"t":4045,"text":"buildings and see the DEAV subsidy units, they are really"},{"t":4047,"text":"quite small. So that, that is something that we should"},{"t":4050,"text":"keep in mind. Thanks. Thank you very much. Anyone else"},{"t":4053,"text":"on this one? Once again, another comment. So it's been"},{"t":4057,"text":"moved in 2nd. All those in favor. Does anyone want"},{"t":4061,"text":"to pose. Is unanimous. Thank you very much for that."},{"t":4065,"text":"That takes us on to item G2, a council member"},{"t":4068,"text":"motion with regard to commemorative signed recognising the 11th anniversary"},{"t":4071,"text":"of the RS rebell Canadian legion. I understand that Councillor"},{"t":4075,"text":"Coleman is in fact a member of the legion. We"},{"t":4077,"text":"therefore properly has asked for this to be pulled. So"},{"t":4080,"text":"he may recuse himself. I am not only a member"},{"t":4082,"text":"of the legion. They came to me and asked advice"},{"t":4084,"text":"on this. Very good. So two excellent reasons. So we"},{"t":4087,"text":"will note that Councillor Coleman is recusing himself to avoid"},{"t":4091,"text":"the appearance of bias or conflict. Let's see departs. She"},{"t":4096,"text":"has done. I'm happy to move this. Councillor Kim is"},{"t":4100,"text":"seconding. I just very briefly, I think it's pretty self"},{"t":4102,"text":"- explanatory. Uh, this is a very modest attempt to"},{"t":4106,"text":"recognise the Legion's history. It is wildly successful in the"},{"t":4110,"text":"sense that it has admics something that we did a"},{"t":4112,"text":"few years ago, actually, um, I believe it was in"},{"t":4115,"text":"the last council where we put similar commemorative medallions almost"},{"t":4120,"text":"on a variety of poles along Shelburne Street to complement"},{"t":4124,"text":"what's also done and along Shelbert in Santage. So this"},{"t":4128,"text":"is specific to the 11th anniversary and two particular locations,"},{"t":4131,"text":"one immediately around the perpatchy legion in one adjacent to"},{"t":4134,"text":"the legislature on grounds that are owned by the city."},{"t":4137,"text":"It's a very modest price, which Mr. Doyle has assured"},{"t":4139,"text":"us is within the capacity of the existing budget of"},{"t":4144,"text":"the engineering, um, department. And so. On the same one"},{"t":4149,"text":"has any questions. Go ahead, Councillor Carter. Thank you. I"},{"t":4151,"text":"think it's a, it's a great project. I just have"},{"t":4154,"text":"a question, especially given the location being chosen around the"},{"t":4158,"text":"centre taff. So was Legion branch 127 associated or kind"},{"t":4165,"text":"of spoken with? Yes, they are. That's the, um, 127"},{"t":4168,"text":"is the provincial government employees legion. Uh, they have been"},{"t":4171,"text":"consulted and they're very excited about it too. Okay. I"},{"t":4174,"text":"just didn't know why they weren't included at all because"},{"t":4176,"text":"they're just a few feet away from where they're going"},{"t":4178,"text":"to be installed. They were part of the conversation, but"},{"t":4180,"text":"they didn't express any desire to be named in the"},{"t":4183,"text":"particular motion, but they have been part of it and"},{"t":4185,"text":"they have approved it. Great. Thank you very much. Absolutely."},{"t":4187,"text":"Yeah. They're quite excited actually. Uh, okay. Any other questions"},{"t":4190,"text":"on this one. Oh, okay. All those in favor. Anybody"},{"t":4195,"text":"opposed. That is unanimous. Councillor Coleman, you're welcome to return."},{"t":4202,"text":"Thank you very much. That takes us on to G3."},{"t":4204,"text":"This was the council member of motion in support in"},{"t":4207,"text":"principle for a community health clinic and licensed state COR"},{"t":4210,"text":"at ICA's downtown site. That was left on the consent"},{"t":4212,"text":"agenda. And so that will return to a daytime council"},{"t":4215,"text":"meeting in the near future. Likely no later than October"},{"t":4219,"text":"the 8th. And that does take us on then to"},{"t":4222,"text":"item G4. A further council member of motion with regard"},{"t":4225,"text":"to making Victoria the most earthquake prepared city in North"},{"t":4228,"text":"America. Council Dell, you've moved this. Would you like to"},{"t":4232,"text":"move this again? You prepared this. Sure. Um, just before"},{"t":4236,"text":"you go on, Councillor Cardona, you were seconding, wouldn't be"},{"t":4238,"text":"second. Okay. Councillor Coleman pulled this for a question. But"},{"t":4242,"text":"why don't we give councillors Dell and Caradona a moment"},{"t":4244,"text":"to speak if they should show choose. Sure. I'll just"},{"t":4247,"text":"give this a brief introduction. I tended to be left"},{"t":4249,"text":"on the consent agenda. Um, this has been coming to"},{"t":4252,"text":"me from a couple of residents over the last couple"},{"t":4255,"text":"of months. Particularly trigger by two absolutely major natural disasters"},{"t":4260,"text":"that happened around the world recently. One was an earthquake"},{"t":4264,"text":"in Venezuela in June, 2026. That, uh, a death tool"},{"t":4267,"text":"of approximately over 6, 000 people and it's devastated. Some"},{"t":4272,"text":"of the cities there. Of course, a recent possible earthquake"},{"t":4276,"text":"into Paul and subsequent flooding and just. Re - raising"},{"t":4280,"text":"the issue of natural disasters of what they're doing about"},{"t":4282,"text":"it. I know in many ways Victoria is very prepared."},{"t":4286,"text":"We have an incredible, uh, emergency services team who are"},{"t":4290,"text":"just doing great work with a briefed council on that"},{"t":4292,"text":"work. Uh, we're being well prepared. But I do think"},{"t":4296,"text":"this term, we have not spent a lot of time"},{"t":4298,"text":"other than those preps talking about earthquake safety and what"},{"t":4300,"text":"we're doing as a council. And I can't necessarily look"},{"t":4303,"text":"at people and say, we're doing absolutely everything possible and"},{"t":4307,"text":"counsel is talking about this issue. And we are going"},{"t":4309,"text":"to be prepared to not make the mistakes of what"},{"t":4311,"text":"happened in Christchurch or in other areas. We have the"},{"t":4315,"text":"time and luxury to be prepared. So what this motion"},{"t":4318,"text":"does is very simple is just as staff for a"},{"t":4320,"text":"public reporting on what we're doing, where we're prepared and"},{"t":4325,"text":"sharing that information with the public. There is a lot"},{"t":4329,"text":"of misinformation out there. Um, I've been the rep in"},{"t":4332,"text":"James Bay where the concerns about, um, emergency access, uh,"},{"t":4338,"text":"water lines, uh, shore erosion. And we've had Doug Clark"},{"t":4342,"text":"in there to talk about those issues and actually try"},{"t":4344,"text":"to, um, clarify some of the misinformation that's existing out"},{"t":4349,"text":"there. But I think part of it is a responsibility"},{"t":4351,"text":"in our counsel to maybe do a better job on"},{"t":4353,"text":"talking about what the, how prepared we are and what's"},{"t":4357,"text":"available. The next part of it is says, okay, you"},{"t":4360,"text":"know, in a perfect case scenario, what else should we"},{"t":4361,"text":"be doing. Where should we be investing more? What else"},{"t":4365,"text":"can we be doing? And I'll give it an example"},{"t":4367,"text":"in California, some municipalities have programs that, that where the"},{"t":4370,"text":"municipality works with homeowners to help bolt homes to the"},{"t":4373,"text":"foundation, rebuild pony walls, uh, I think the opportunity to"},{"t":4377,"text":"explore our grant programs for heritage buildings. We have a"},{"t":4380,"text":"few small grants where we update heritage buildings. But I"},{"t":4383,"text":"think the opportunities to explore that further. And I'd like"},{"t":4385,"text":"to hear from staff on that. And then I think"},{"t":4388,"text":"I'd like to start talking about the big picture questions"},{"t":4390,"text":"of where our highest risk buildings in the city. We're"},{"t":4393,"text":"in one of them right now. The legislature is one"},{"t":4396,"text":"of them. There's, there's many around the city. And what's"},{"t":4398,"text":"our plan for those? Do we have a vision on,"},{"t":4401,"text":"uh, perhaps rebuilding these buildings, perhaps, uh, moving elsewhere. Um,"},{"t":4407,"text":"and I think as counsel, we probably need to spend"},{"t":4410,"text":"a little bit more time, maybe this one, maybe the"},{"t":4412,"text":"next on dealing with that hard information and maybe making"},{"t":4416,"text":"more long - term plan so that we can say"},{"t":4417,"text":"we've done everything possible to, to save lives and make"},{"t":4421,"text":"Victoria prepared. And I think the goal of being the"},{"t":4423,"text":"most prepared city in North America is ambitious school, but"},{"t":4426,"text":"it's something that I think we should aim toward. So"},{"t":4428,"text":"that's what this motion intends to kick off. Thank you"},{"t":4431,"text":"very much. Councillor Cardonas, the secondary. Yeah. I think I'll"},{"t":4434,"text":"just add briefly that the BC Building Code has come"},{"t":4437,"text":"an incredibly long way in the last couple of decades"},{"t":4440,"text":"around seismic safety and every couple of years. It seems"},{"t":4443,"text":"to get more and more stringent. It's not new buildings"},{"t":4446,"text":"that worry me. It's existing buildings. And especially our heritage"},{"t":4449,"text":"buildings that terrify me if there were to be something"},{"t":4452,"text":"like an 8. 0 earthquake or even a 7. 5."},{"t":4456,"text":"And knowing the seismic history of this region going back"},{"t":4458,"text":"to the great Pacific Earthquake of 1700 and moving forward,"},{"t":4461,"text":"it's really only a matter of time. So I do"},{"t":4463,"text":"think that there are opportunities for us to be supporting"},{"t":4467,"text":"ways of making the city safer. This is something that"},{"t":4470,"text":"councillor Del and I have been talking about for a"},{"t":4472,"text":"while. I'm sorry took so long to get this motion"},{"t":4474,"text":"before us. He and I have also had a debate"},{"t":4477,"text":"about whether or not to add in fire safety on"},{"t":4479,"text":"wildfire safety into this. And we decided not to scope"},{"t":4482,"text":"it into this motion, but that is something that the"},{"t":4485,"text":"city should circle back to. And as a CRD director,"},{"t":4488,"text":"I know, was last year, the year before the old"},{"t":4491,"text":"man Lake fire. Was it 2024? Two years. 2024. Was"},{"t":4497,"text":"a bit of a wake up call. We haven't historically"},{"t":4499,"text":"had the kinds of wildfires on the South Island that"},{"t":4501,"text":"you've had in the interior. It doesn't take a big"},{"t":4503,"text":"imagination to imagine a scenario in which there is a"},{"t":4508,"text":"lightning strike in say, um, I don't know. Maltolemi or"},{"t":4513,"text":"Topaz or something like that. And now you're facing something"},{"t":4516,"text":"like Lahaina faced. So, um, but for the, for the"},{"t":4521,"text":"purposes of today, it's about earthquakes. We live in a"},{"t":4524,"text":"subduction zone. It's only a matter of time. And we"},{"t":4526,"text":"need to be doing more to prepare to keep people"},{"t":4529,"text":"safe. So this is something that would pass to the"},{"t":4531,"text":"next council, but I hope it becomes a priority on"},{"t":4533,"text":"their shot plan. Thanks, Mayor. Thank you, Councillor Coleman. Thank"},{"t":4537,"text":"you. Um, four points on this actually starts, I think."},{"t":4543,"text":"We did some, um, seismic upgrading of city hall about"},{"t":4549,"text":"2015, if I'm not mistaken. So we are not one"},{"t":4552,"text":"of the most endangered buildings in the city. That doesn't"},{"t":4557,"text":"mean there isn't concern, but I think Councillor Madoff led"},{"t":4562,"text":"that. And I think we were quite proud of it"},{"t":4564,"text":"at the time. I would start the first point is"},{"t":4567,"text":"if you want to understand this in the North American"},{"t":4570,"text":"context, because this inspires us to be the best in"},{"t":4572,"text":"North America, read Gregor Craiggies, a local author on borrowed"},{"t":4576,"text":"time. Um, it puts it in very good perspective. And"},{"t":4580,"text":"I, he didn't pay me for that plug. Um, the"},{"t":4583,"text":"second, the second point is emergency management British Columbia has"},{"t":4588,"text":"for a long time now, and it's been picked up"},{"t":4589,"text":"by a number of municipalities given the 26 tips for"},{"t":4593,"text":"household preparedness. Um, you're supposed to do one tip a"},{"t":4597,"text":"week, a number of years ago, I actually costed it"},{"t":4600,"text":"out with local sourcing household for Judith and me for"},{"t":4605,"text":"two people. Um, the cost is about locally about 756"},{"t":4610,"text":"dollars. So it becomes an issue of capacity financial capacity."},{"t":4617,"text":"If you can't do it once a week, then you"},{"t":4619,"text":"do it once a month and then you prepare yourself"},{"t":4621,"text":"over two years. I suspect because I did it a"},{"t":4624,"text":"number of years ago, that cost has gone up. Perhaps"},{"t":4627,"text":"dramatically. Um, but it's something that we need to think"},{"t":4630,"text":"about in not only preparing ourself, if we're going to"},{"t":4633,"text":"be the most prepared community in North America than we"},{"t":4636,"text":"have to actually find ways to fund that for local"},{"t":4640,"text":"citizenry. Um, I also think that I'm pleased that the"},{"t":4644,"text":"fire chief is here because his staff have done some"},{"t":4646,"text":"incredible work and they have worked with us in the"},{"t":4649,"text":"past. The more we can do to support them, which"},{"t":4652,"text":"also has a financial capacity impact for us, it would"},{"t":4656,"text":"be a good thing. Um, the more we can have"},{"t":4659,"text":"them deliver the neighborhood's programs lessons that they do, the"},{"t":4665,"text":"better we all offer will be. The final point I"},{"t":4668,"text":"would make is we made a startling investment in emergency"},{"t":4674,"text":"preparedness a number of years ago when we replaced the"},{"t":4676,"text":"Johnson Street Bridge. Um, that was to allow capacity. One"},{"t":4681,"text":"of the subtexts at the time was make sure that"},{"t":4683,"text":"the fire department can actually cross the bridge if we"},{"t":4686,"text":"have greater than a 7. 5 seismic issue. Because we"},{"t":4692,"text":"may have lost the bridge. Going forward, um, there is"},{"t":4697,"text":"a another compelling issue that will deal with the Johnson"},{"t":4700,"text":"Street Bridge. We have embraced the notion of a more"},{"t":4704,"text":"industrialized harbour. If we want to protect the bridge for"},{"t":4709,"text":"its capacity to make us the most earthquake prepared city"},{"t":4714,"text":"in North America, then we had better look at the"},{"t":4717,"text":"funding needed to increase the fendering on the south side"},{"t":4722,"text":"of the bridge. At the moment, the bridge is well"},{"t":4726,"text":"protected on the north side, but we need to get"},{"t":4728,"text":"into that. And that's a discussion that I know will"},{"t":4731,"text":"come forward. For the future council, I'm just signalling it"},{"t":4734,"text":"now. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Goldman. Councillor Gardner. Thank"},{"t":4739,"text":"you. And I'm going to add a bit to what"},{"t":4742,"text":"Councillor Coleman said, because I agree totally. And I've been"},{"t":4744,"text":"watching all of this for. About 20 years of what"},{"t":4748,"text":"the city's been doing. The City has been doing a"},{"t":4751,"text":"lot. Uh, and it has been priorly. We don't have"},{"t":4754,"text":"to make it a priority. It has been one and"},{"t":4756,"text":"it shows and has been mentioned as the staff member"},{"t":4761,"text":"from the fire department goes from neighbour to neighbourhood and"},{"t":4764,"text":"gives us presentation. They're wow presentations. And the reason they're"},{"t":4768,"text":"wow is they aren't border plate. He actually targets it"},{"t":4772,"text":"to the neighbourhood that he is presenting to because they"},{"t":4776,"text":"all have each has their own unique geographical and build"},{"t":4780,"text":"- up characters. And I think that's superb because I've"},{"t":4783,"text":"now encouraged them to go to three different neighbourhoods. And"},{"t":4786,"text":"I know the structures in the neighbourhoods are very different."},{"t":4789,"text":"And so it's a land base. And I think it's"},{"t":4791,"text":"just incredible how he with a sense of humor delivers"},{"t":4794,"text":"his messages. And so the city is doing a lot."},{"t":4798,"text":"We know that. And something, I mean, the alluded to"},{"t":4801,"text":"is all the different grants. There was a lot of"},{"t":4803,"text":"houses, heritage ones and others that have been already seismic"},{"t":4807,"text":"upgraded. And the question about that. And please remember as"},{"t":4811,"text":"you upgrade anyone on anything through a grant process and"},{"t":4814,"text":"it has been supplied through a lot of the city"},{"t":4817,"text":"that someone else has to pay for it. So we"},{"t":4819,"text":"have to always remember that. Now with this particular motion,"},{"t":4823,"text":"um, and I'm glad that the bridges were mentioned because"},{"t":4826,"text":"we also have the bay bridge that carries a lot"},{"t":4827,"text":"of the utilities for our city to operate at any"},{"t":4831,"text":"point in time. But, uh, something we also have to"},{"t":4834,"text":"consider about it, if we're going to be the best,"},{"t":4836,"text":"then we have to measure it. So you better set"},{"t":4837,"text":"some goals first is how we're going to be the"},{"t":4839,"text":"best in the Canada or the world. And I don't"},{"t":4842,"text":"think we're going to be doing that because earthquakes are"},{"t":4844,"text":"rather random. And the level of earthquake rather random. I"},{"t":4848,"text":"think we just have to keep doing what we've been"},{"t":4850,"text":"doing. And that we frankly have been doing it very"},{"t":4852,"text":"well. And, uh, I don't, I have no problems with"},{"t":4856,"text":"the staff going through and making a list of everything"},{"t":4859,"text":"that's already been done. This is forward looking, but we"},{"t":4861,"text":"should look backwards at what has been done. So not"},{"t":4865,"text":"what we're going to do because we've done a hell"},{"t":4867,"text":"of a lot. Whoops, sorry. Whatever. Language, sorry. We've done"},{"t":4871,"text":"an awful lot in this city over the last couple"},{"t":4874,"text":"of decades. I know since I've been here. And by"},{"t":4877,"text":"the way, a lot of this work with the street"},{"t":4879,"text":"disruption has to do with this. Because getting our utilities"},{"t":4885,"text":"underground and all of this, this is kind of looking"},{"t":4887,"text":"at all that too. So most of the works in"},{"t":4890,"text":"the city are have incorporated seismic considerations into pretty well"},{"t":4895,"text":"everything we do. So if we're actually going to try"},{"t":4897,"text":"and be the best in the world or was it"},{"t":4899,"text":"Canada, whatever it is, then someone better come up with"},{"t":4901,"text":"some goals, but I don't think you're going to be"},{"t":4903,"text":"able to. Our staff, no offence, are not specialists on"},{"t":4908,"text":"seismic activity. And none of us are. And frankly, most"},{"t":4913,"text":"of the seismic colleges and what have you. And even"},{"t":4917,"text":"physicists, they can't tell you what to do because we"},{"t":4920,"text":"don't know how it's going to hit every region when"},{"t":4923,"text":"an earthquake hits. But we're doing a terrific job and"},{"t":4926,"text":"making a list. Hopefully it won't take too much staff"},{"t":4929,"text":"time. Uh, but I think continuing the program that's going"},{"t":4932,"text":"on with a fire department going around to different areas."},{"t":4936,"text":"And the way they deliver it is absolutely superb. And"},{"t":4939,"text":"I think we should continue that. Thank you very much."},{"t":4942,"text":"Anybody else? I would just thank Councillor Coleman. I don't"},{"t":4947,"text":"usually identify councillors, but I would thank him for mentioning"},{"t":4951,"text":"the Johnson Street Bridge, one of the most important reasons"},{"t":4954,"text":"for that was in fact to ensure that there was"},{"t":4956,"text":"transport capacity for emergency vehicles between the two parts of"},{"t":4959,"text":"Victoria. And I often will comment to people that, uh,"},{"t":4963,"text":"if you are in a very large earthquake with the"},{"t":4965,"text":"two places you hope to be or either the fire"},{"t":4968,"text":"department, which is relatively impurposed to almost anything or the"},{"t":4972,"text":"Johnson Street bridge. Anywhere else? I don't know. But are"},{"t":4976,"text":"those two places? You're good. And that's a very important"},{"t":4980,"text":"thing for folks to know. Also of course extending continuing"},{"t":4984,"text":"kudos to the incredible preparation and prevention information that's shared"},{"t":4988,"text":"by the fire department. It's, we expect a lot from"},{"t":4991,"text":"our emergency response teams. And we get a lot. So"},{"t":4994,"text":"thank you. Please convey that to your staff. Uh, with"},{"t":4997,"text":"that then, all those in favor. Anyone opposed? That is"},{"t":5001,"text":"unanimous. That would take us to item G5. This would"},{"t":5004,"text":"be the council member of motion with support for Victoria"},{"t":5007,"text":"residents in lease hold buildings. That was left on the"},{"t":5009,"text":"consent agenda. So that will return to us at a"},{"t":5012,"text":"future daytime council meeting for final consideration. We do not"},{"t":5015,"text":"have a requirement for any closed items today at committee."},{"t":5018,"text":"So I would look for a motion to adjourn. Thank"},{"t":5020,"text":"you, Councillor Coleman. Seconded by Councillor Loton, all those in"},{"t":5024,"text":"favor. Am I going opposed? Let's unanimous. Uh, that is"},{"t":5027,"text":"good timing folks. Why don't we take our usual mid"},{"t":5029,"text":"- morning break? It's 10 27. Let's try and resume"},{"t":5034,"text":"for a daytime council meeting at 1040."}],"words":12945,"fetchedAt":"2026-10-03T04:14:11.382Z"}