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Committee of the Whole - 2026/05/21

City of Victoria · Thu, May 21, 2026 09:00 · COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 1 CENTENNIAL SQUARE

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Summary

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The most consequential debate was over a proposed 27-storey tower at Fort and Broughton: Council rejected staff’s recommendation to decline it, then directed staff to work with the applicant on a revised proposal, with the final direction deliberately leaving room to discuss what changes would improve policy fit. Supporters emphasized housing, seniors’ rentals and downtown activity; opponents warned that the proposal’s height and density ran far beyond the area plan. Council also approved large Telus Ocean signs at 749 Douglas Street, while noting concern that the branding could detract from the building. Other decisions appointed election officers and approved a five-year tower-crane rescue agreement with Sidney; Council also asked staff to examine options for reducing graffiti, a proposal that drew concerns about whether spray-paint restrictions would work and how much staff time they might take.

Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.

What was discussed

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F.1 829-899 Fort Street and 846-856 Broughton Street: Rezoning Application No. 00901 and Development Permit with Variances Application No. 00297 (Downtown)

zoning development4:43 Watch · Read

The proposal would replace existing shops, offices and a pay parking lot with three mixed-use buildings of 27, 11 and 10 storeys, containing about 329 homes. Staff said the project offered housing, including seniors’ rentals and 14 income-affordable units for 10 years, plus childcare, a plaza and public art. But its 27-storey tower and overall density of 6.46 floor-space ratio (FSR) substantially exceeded the Downtown Core Area Plan’s guidance for the site; staff also raised concerns about tower separation, heritage design, setbacks and reduced parking. Council first defeated staff’s recommendation to decline the application, then sent it back for revisions and further review. An amendment removed specific wording about reducing height and density, while keeping the direction to seek greater consistency with City policy and guidelines. Staff are to refer the revised proposal to the Advisory Design Panel and complete a land-lift analysis; no return date was set.

Agreement
  • Council members recognized potential benefits in the homes, seniors’ rental housing, childcare, plaza and added residents for downtown.
  • There was broad support for asking the applicant to revise the proposal rather than letting the application end, though councillors disagreed about how specific that direction should be.
  • Staff identified height and density, heritage response, building bases and tower separation as key areas needing work; councillors also raised parking.
Disagreement
  • Councillors Hammond and Gardiner supported declining the application, arguing that its height and density were too far outside the area plan and that moving it forward risked weakening planning rules and public trust.
  • Councillors Dell, Kim, Caradonna, Loughton, Coleman and Thompson, and the Mayor, opposed declining it and favoured working with the applicant. They stressed housing and downtown vitality, while several still said the proposal needed changes.
  • The amendment to remove explicit wording about reducing height and density passed over opposition from Councillors Caradonna, Hammond and Gardiner. Supporters wanted a flexible discussion with the applicant; opponents said height and density were central problems that should remain explicit.
Defeated 0 to 9Item F.11:03:24 Watch · Read

Decline the proposed rezoning and development permit for the Fort and Broughton Street properties, which would allow more density and multi-unit housing there.

Official wording: That Council decline Rezoning Application No. 00901 and Development Permit with Variances Application Development Variance Permit No. 00297 for 829-899 Fort Street and 846-856 Broughton Street.
Carried 6 to 3Item F.11:15:32 Watch · Read

Ask staff to work with the applicant on a revised proposal that better fits City policy and guidelines, including lower height and density, and to have the Advisory Design Panel review it and complete a land lift analysis before bringing it back to the Committee for consideration.

Official wording: That Council instruct staff to work with the applicant to revise the proposal for greater consistency with City policy and applicable guidelines, including reducing the height and density to improve alignment with the OCP and DCAP, refer the proposal to the Advisory Design Panel, complete a land lift analysis, and then return to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for Council’s consideration.
Carried 7 to 2Item F.11:36:38 Watch · Read

Ask staff to work with the applicant on a proposal that better fits City policy and guidelines, have the Advisory Design Panel review it, complete a land lift analysis, and bring it back to the Committee for consideration. The version recorded as amended does not include the earlier wording about reducing height and density.

Official wording: That Council instruct staff to work with the applicant to revise the proposal for greater consistency with City policy and applicable guidelines, refer the proposal to the Advisory Design Panel, complete a land lift analysis, and then return to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for Council’s consideration.

F.2 749 Douglas Street: Development Variance Permit No. 00293 (Downtown)

zoning development1:36:38 Watch · Read

Council considered signs for the Telus Ocean office building, including two large Telus signs: one on Humboldt Street around the 11th floor and one on Douglas Street around the third floor. The Douglas Street sign had been lowered in response to earlier Council direction so it would not show above the Empress Hotel from the harbour. The permit also sets a larger overall sign allowance so future ground-floor tenants can apply for ordinary sign permits without each needing a separate variance. Council approved the permit unanimously. Councillors supported the economic and architectural contribution of the building, but some hoped Telus would reconsider the visual impact of large corporate branding.

Agreement
  • Council supported the revised location of the Douglas Street sign, which addressed earlier concerns about views of the Empress from the harbour.
  • Councillors praised the building’s architecture and its expected contribution of downtown jobs.
Disagreement
  • Councillor Thompson warned that the large logo could detract from the building and put off the public or tenants; another councillor suggested Telus consult the Indigenous artist involved in the building. Both nevertheless supported the permit.
Carried, unanimousItem F.21:51:23 Watch · Read

After public notice, consider approving a permit for the Telus Ocean building’s signs at Douglas and Humboldt Streets. It would allow larger signs, signs higher on the building, and a larger suspended sign than the City’s usual sign rules allow. The permit would lapse if construction does not substantially start within two years, or if the permit is not issued within two years.

Official wording: That Council, after giving notice, consider the following motion: 1. "That Council authorize the issuance of Development Variance Permit Application No. 00293 for 749 Douglas Street, in accordance with plans submitted to the Planning and Development department on December 3, 2025, subject to: a. Proposed development meeting all City Sign Bylaw requirements, except for the following variances: i. Increase the maximum fascia sign display area on the Humboldt Street frontage from 4.5m2 to 45.134m2 ii. Increase the maximum fascia sign display area for the Douglas Street frontage from 4.5m2 to 45.134m2 iii. Increase the cumulative sign allowance for the Humboldt Street frontage from 17.856m2 to 62.99m2 based on a 1 to 1 ratio iv. Increase the cumulative sign allowance for the Douglas Street from 20.0m2 to 65.134m2 based on a 1 to 1 ratio v. Allow fascia signage above the lowest sill of the second storey on the Humboldt Street frontage vi. Allow fascia signage above the lowest sill of the second storey on the Douglas Street frontage vii. Increase the maximum vertical dimension of a suspended sign from 300mm to 720mm viii. Increase the maximum suspended sign display size from 0.55m2 to 1.656m2 2. That: a. The Development Variance Permit lapses two years from the date of this resolution if construction is not substantially started within this timeframe; and b. The approval of this Development Variance Permit lapses two years from the date of this resolution if the Development Variance Permit is not issued within this timeframe."

G.1 General Local Election 2026

governance1:51:51 Watch · Read

Council appointed Curt Kingsley as Chief Election Officer and Becky Roder, Barrie Nicholls and Monika Fedyczkowska as Deputy Chief Election Officers. Staff outlined plans for four advance-voting opportunities, 12 planned general voting locations, mail ballots and a voter-information campaign aimed at improving on the 37.9% turnout in 2022 and exceeding the 43.5% turnout in 2018. Questions focused on long queues, staffing, accessible voting and reaching younger voters. Staff said they had learned from the 2022 election, were planning larger or more scalable polling locations, and would offer priority assistance and curbside voting; locations must be finalized before formal notice on September 17. Councillors also asked staff to consider additional radio and online advertising and clearer promotion of accessibility services.

Agreement
  • Council supported the appointments and the goal of improving voter turnout and access.
  • Staff and councillors agreed that long waits in 2022 needed attention, including better-capacity locations, adequate staffing and clearer information for voters.
Carried, unanimousItem G.12:42:38 Watch · Read

Appoint Curt Kingsley to oversee the 2026 local election, with Becky Roder, Barrie Nicholls and Monika Fedyczkowska as deputy election officers.

Official wording: That Council: 1. Appoint Curt Kingsley as Chief Election Officer for the 2026 General Local Election, and that Becky Roder, Barrie Nicholls and Monika Fedyczkowska be appointed as Deputy Chief Election Officers

G.2 Technical High Angle Rope Rescue (THARR) Program – Tower Crane Rescue Services Agreement

public safety2:43:23 Watch · Read

Council approved renewing the agreement to provide the Town of Sidney with tower-crane rescue services for five years. The Fire Chief explained that rescue from a crane at height requires specialist training and equipment, which Victoria has and Sidney has requested through a Council resolution. A councillor also asked for a future briefing on Victoria’s high-rise building stock and the limits of firefighting and rescue at tall buildings; the Chief agreed to provide one.

Agreement
  • Councillors supported sharing Victoria’s specialist tower-crane rescue capacity with Sidney.
  • The Chief agreed that Council could receive a fuller future briefing on high-rise rescue and fire protection.
Carried 8 to 0Item G.22:47:57 Watch · Read

Authorize the City to enter into an agreement to provide the Town of Sidney with tower-crane rescue services, and allow the Fire Chief to sign the agreement and related documents.

Official wording: That Council authorize: 1. the City entering into an agreement on a five (5) term to provide The Town of Sidney with tower crane rescue services, with contents and in a form to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief and the City Solicitor; and 2. the Fire Chief to execute the agreement and any other necessary documents.
Not voting: Krista Loughton (absent)

H.1 Council Member Motion: Cumberland BC Miners’ Memorial Graveside Vigil 2026

community services3:10 Watch · Read

This motion was included on the consent agenda. Council authorized the costs of a City memorial bouquet for the June 13, 2026 Cumberland Museum and Archives Miners’ Memorial graveside vigil, and Councillor Kim to lay it. The item was carried with the consent agenda and was to proceed to a daytime Council agenda for consideration.

Carried, unanimousItem H.14:23 Watch · Read

Routine: authorize the City to pay for a memorial bouquet for the June 13 vigil in Cumberland, and have Councillor Kim lay it on the City’s behalf.

Official wording: That Council authorize: a. associated costs for a City of Victoria memorial bouquet at the June 13, 2026 Cumberland Museum and Archives’ Miners’ Memorial graveside vigil; and b. Councillor Kim to lay the bouquet on behalf of the City of Victoria.

H.2 Council Member Motion: Graffiti Prevention: Options for Age Restrictions, Retail Access and Storage Controls of Spray Paint

community services2:48:44 Watch · Read

Council directed staff to report back on possible bylaw changes or other steps to reduce unauthorized use of spray paint and similar graffiti tools. The motion asked staff to consider age restrictions, how retailers store and sell paint, exemptions for legitimate users, and the costs and practicality of possible measures. Councillors noted that graffiti cleanup costs the City hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and that community volunteers also help. Staff said they would take a light-touch approach to the initial work. The motion passed with two councillors opposed.

Agreement
  • Councillors agreed graffiti is a persistent problem and that a report could help clarify which measures are workable.
  • The mover said the report should weigh likely benefits against costs and staff effort rather than assume restrictions would solve the problem.
Disagreement
  • Councillor Caradonna questioned whether paint restrictions would work given online sales and purchases in neighbouring jurisdictions, and warned that consultation and regulatory work could consume substantial staff time.
  • Councillor Kim raised the need to distinguish vandalism from artistic expression and asked whether sticker tagging should also be considered; the mover said staff could flag it if relevant.
  • Supporters, including Councillors Hammond, Gardiner, Coleman and Thompson, favoured exploring options despite uncertainty about their effect. Councillors Dell and Caradonna voted against the motion.
Carried 6 to 2Item H.23:23:00 Watch · Read

Ask staff to bring back possible ways to reduce unauthorized graffiti, including options for limiting spray-paint sales to minors, requiring secure or staff-only display, educating retailers, and making reasonable exceptions for legitimate uses. Staff would also look at enforcement, consultation with affected groups, legal authority, costs, staffing, timelines, and possible unintended effects.

Official wording: THAT Council direct staff to report back with options for possible bylaw amendments or other measures to reduce unauthorized use of spray paint and similar graffiti implements, including consideration of: 1. Retail sale or furnishing restrictions for minors; 2. Secure storage or staff-access-only display requirements for spray paint; 3. Point-of-sale signage and/or retailer education from the city; 4. Reasonable exemptions for parents or guardians, schools, employers, trades, artists, and other legitimate uses; 5. Enforcement options; 6. Consultation with affected retailers, the Downtown Victoria Business Association, VicPD, Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations, youth-serving organizations, the school district, arts organizations, and/or neighbouring municipalities, as staff feel appropriate. 7. Legal authority, implementation costs, staffing impacts, compliance approach, timelines, and potential unintended consequences.
Voted against: Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell
Not voting: Krista Loughton (absent)

Other decisions

Official · from the minutes
Carried 8 to 0Adjournment of Committee of the Whole

Routine: adjourn the meeting at 1:59 p.m.

Official wording: That the Committee of the Whole Meeting be adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
Not voting: Krista Loughton (absent)