Transcript: Council (to follow COTW) - 2026/09/03

Today at City Council during the day, we have five sets of minutes to consider, as well as two bylaws for preliminary readings and adoption and one item of closed business. But of course, before we begin our work together, we always want to take a moment to pause and reflect and express our gratitude and recognition to the two nations on whose territories are City sits in its entirety. The co - opsum nation and the Songhees Nation. These two nations and there are multiple families and members have for hundreds of years, many, many generations taking it upon themselves to pay special attention to the lands on which we all operate and live and play and work, and the waters that surround them as well. And in so doing, they have created the opportunity for us to do the work that we do here in these halls, in the city council and in the city itself, and all of our neighbourhoods and homes when we're lucky enough to

have them. And when we have the opportunity to work with our colleagues, our friends, our families, and all of our residents together, hopefully making decisions that have respect for the past and acknowledgment of it, as well as a willingness, a courage to confront the issues that are with us today and thought, of course, for the future and all the things that will come in the days, weeks, and years ahead. The nations themselves have done that type of work for so many years. We can only admire their resilience. Hope to learn from it and appreciate the continuing collegiality and willingness that they have to work with us. And to help us learn together as we make the mutual and individual decisions that we make for the benefit of our residents, indigenous and non - Indigenous alike.

With that, we like to say thank you in their language, and that is to say, hi, Chica or Hichukasium, Nicolia. And that is to just say thank you to offer a bit of respect to all of the leaders, individuals, alike throughout the community who each day make a decision to do one thing, perhaps one very small thing, which changes the way someone else lives their life hopefully for the better. So with that, let's hope that that is our goal too. And we say hi, Tricka CM Nicole. I made some remarks earlier today, just reflecting a little bit on the passing of Gloria Steinem. I won't repeat those, but I would urge folks to look at them earlier today if they're interested. And iconic figure for many of us of a certain age and interest, and certainly for those of us who spent many, many years working the Community of Women's Rights and the rights of other equity seeking equity deserving people. It is a sad

day indeed to note her passing. I'm not aware of any late items that need to be brought to council today. And so we will look first to an approval of the agenda. First, I'm going to ask to move it, I'm going to ask to amend it. So if we could first have a motion to approve the distributed agenda, thanks Councillor Coleman seconded by Councillor Caradona. And then I would just suggest that we amend the daytime Council meeting to include the Council Member Motion that was adopted a little earlier ago, and I believe this would be an item G1AA under the report from the September 3rd Committee of the Whole. So if I could ask someone to make that amendment. Thanks, Councillor Cardona, segment by Council Coleman. Just on the amendment of adding that item for same day consideration, any comments. Oh, all those in favor.

Anyone opposed? That is unanimous. So then that gives us the amended agenda. So I'd ask if there are any comments on that. I'm now unmentinda. So with amendment passed, now we're voting on the amended agenda. All those in favor, anyone opposed is also unanimous. So one or consent agenda, there are a number of items. They're actually all minutes. I'll just read them for the information of the public. So under item E, the consent agenda, the proposals for inclusion on the consent agenda are item F1. The minutes from the Council, Datum Council meeting of June 18th, F2, the minutes from the daytime council meeting of June 25th. Item F3, the minutes from the daytime council meeting of July 2nd. Item F4, the minutes from the daytime council meeting of July the 9th. And item F5, the minutes from the daytime council meeting of July 16th. Does anyone have any concern with those and wishes to remove any of them? Or does anyone wish to add anything

to the consent agenda? I was thinking that perhaps that last CMM, but it was not unanimous, so we will not add that. I'm not seeing any concerns with those five sets of minutes being consent, which if someone liked to move the consent agenda, thanks Councillor Coleman, seconded by Councillor Loughton, all those in favor of the consent agenda. Anyone opposed? That is unanimous. That would take us on to item F. This would be, in fact, the consideration of minutes, but as we just noted, all five of those sets of minutes were added to the consent agenda and approved. And just as a reminder, when an item is approved, uh, at Council Daytime Council, it is a final consideration. Uh, as it no longer needs to come to any future meetings. And so all five sets of those minutes have been improved finally. And we'll become part of the record. That takes us on to item G, reports of committees. Uh, this would be the one report

from the September 3rd Committee of the Whole that we dealt with earlier today. Originally, there were no items that were considered needing same day consideration. However, uh, the late item that was brought forward as a council member motion was adopted. And so that can, in fact, and was added to the agenda as item GOANA. I believe that is correct, all being along on the screen. There you go. And that's the one it was amended. And so, uh, there is that version that is now on the screen as the final amendment. Are you okay, Council Cole? Very good. Okay. And so if someone would like to move that, Councillor Kim, if you're with us, would you like to move that motion? Thank you. Is there a second over that motion? Councillor Cardona III. Uh, I will ask Councillor's Kim and Caradona if they have anything to add. Although we were just discussing this a few minutes ago. Councillor Cam is shaking her head. No. Council Gerda

on a no. Any other comments on this one before we vote on it. Uh, we just did have a fairly robust conversation about this not too long ago. So that's understandable. Uh, with that. And that was at committee for anyone who'd like to watch that. With that, I will see these moved in second. I didn't ask for a vote. All those in favor. That's in favor, Councillor Dell, Councillor Kim, Council Cardona, Councillor Loughton, myself, Councillor Hammond. Culture Thompson. Are you with us? Yes, I'm councillor Thompson. Thank you. And opposition, Councillor Coleman and Councillor Gardner. So noting to an opposition, not motion is adopted. And again, as we are daytime counsel, that's a final decision. And so we will get that executed very quickly. Uh, then the hexas on to ByLAws. There are, as I mentioned before two bylaws, the first one under H1. This is a bit unusual. It requires rescinding a third reading, amending the third reading. Again, this is for the byle offer

2501 through 2699 Blendtreet Street, 825 and 841 Hillside Avenue, 2500 through 2684 dollar place and 900K's Road. These are for the rezoning applications for the same addresses as well as a number of other regulations. I am going to ask staff just to briefly explain why this is here and what exactly we are doing. This is an item that we have considered previously and for the most part approved. So what are we doing here today? Mr. Handy. Thanks Meroral to. I'm going to invite my colleague Patrick Carls Sr. Planet to come up and speak to this home. Fantastic. Welcome. Look at Mr. Carroll. Please explain to us why this is here again today and what we're actually considering. Good afternoon, Mayor and all of council. So just for the record, Patrick Carroll, senior planner, development services. Uh, before you today is the adoption of a site - specific amendment to the zoning regulation bylaw for the property known as evergreen terrorists. The proposal is for a phased redevelopment. Of

the site, which would replace all 196 existing units. And add approximately 700 new rental units. The proposal includes nine buildings. In a mix of high and mid - rise forms. As noted in your update report, the approved CD zone. Set a density for the entire site of 2. 6 to one FSR. However, it has been determined that the maximum floor area for each development area is required to enable future subdivisions. There is no change to the proposal or the maximum permitted density across the site. The recommended motion includes language to rescind, re - approve and adopt the amended CD zone. And therefore attachments to show track change of the comparison. In addition, the applicant has met the condition to register the MDA prior to bylaw adoption. However, two commitments in the MDA requires some updates for councils awareness. First, the resolution included a commitment of two 21 supportive housing units to be operated by the Aboriginal coalition to end homelessness. During MDA discussions, the applicant

clarified that they could not commit to a specific operator in the long term, um, as it is in agreement. And the two parties. Although the intention is for no change to the operator. Second, the resolution included a commitment that at least 70 percent of the residential units would have access to a usable private outdoor space. The applicant requested that the MDA allows some flexibility to include a Juliet balcony. Staff added language to require due consideration to the design guidelines that do encourage these private outdoor spaces. It should be noted that the first phase of development has been approved and actually far exceeds the 110 units lacking a private outdoor space. And that's about 95 percent.

And there are no Juliet balconies proposed in phase one. And that's, that, that's everything covered in the report. And I can take your questions at this time. Right. Thank you. Are there any questions for Mr. Carroll. Council Cardona and you're going to Councillor Garden. Security? I just, just one clarification. I'm just trying to remember. So we had done for a second and third before and we're ascending third, but we hadn't done final adoption before. Is that correct? Yes. That's due to the mayor. That's happening today. Yeah. That's, that is correct. We hadn't done adoption because the condition was that the MDA had to be completed, executed and registered. And that has happened. Okay. So are we able to do third and final adoption on the same day. Through the mayor, yes, I did consult internally with legal and confirm that that was possible in this case. Okay. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Gardner questions.

Just a couple. Okay. When I read the document you gave to us. So they're going to be divided up the lots. Of through to the mirror. As of now, we are aware of five development areas and those were communicated through the Committee of the whole report is developed in areas through the discussions. It became clear the applicant was intending to subdivide, uh, which is what has led to this correction. And so effectively we don't know what lots. They'll ultimately subdivide, but at least we know that the five development areas will be their own parcels. Will BC housing continue to own all parcels or is there an intent to sell. Through to the mayor, uh, it's been made clear from the applicant that there is no, uh, intention to divest of any of the provincial lands.

And it's part of the PRP program. So the provincial redevelopment program. That is the funding source for this development. And it does stipulate that lands must be remain in the province's hands. Great. Now, with the separation and the alteration of the MDA for each parcel is developed. Are we going to rung to something like we did at the Bayview and Roundhouse with coming back for whole redevelopment type of applications? Cause I thought all that was rather taken care of. Uh, through to the mayor, if I am understanding your question correctly, um, the intention is that this will not return to council for a rezoning in the future. And this is part of the correction today is to ensure they can subdivide in the future and not create a density problem that would lead them to return to council. And our intention is to not have to reopen the MDA again as well. That being said future phases will definitely need a development permit. It may

be delegated depending on the details, the level of affordability. Um, and some other factors as well. But it may return to council as a development permit regulating form and character for a given phase. And there could be variances triggered as well. Um, but not, um, the intention is to not return to revisit the MDA or the zoning. Right. Thank you very much for your report. No problem. Thank you. Any other questions on this? Just checking online. Councillor Kim. Thank you through the chair. So did I hear correctly that none of the Juliet balcony door space access is for phase one. Ms. Carroll. Uh, through the mayor. Thank you for that question. Uh, so there is no immediate intention to utilise Juliet balconies in any of the designs, but reality is the only design that we've seen and that the applicant has done is phase one.

But we can confirm that there are no Juliet balconies at all in the first phase. And we won't know about future phases until they apply for that development permit. Okay. Thanks. Has there been any consideration about how, um, okay. Here's, sorry, let me rephrase. Folks who are going to be populating phase one are the current tenets of evergreen terrorists who have been temporarily displaced, right? That is correct. Um, the first phase is 110 units in total. So it will allow for options for occupying up to 110 of the 196 that it currently, uh, exists, uh, on the land. Uh, so it would be the first two phases that would be intended to accommodate those that are currently living on the site. My concern is that, uh, folks who had previous access to green space as one of the original tenants, um, are, are losing that, especially given that face one is confirmed to not have, uh, things like balconies. What direction or assurance is or

any procedural steps, would you advise in order to try to encourage or affirm outdoor access in phase two. Uh, girls? Thank you for the question and through to the mayor, um, just one clarification. They're in the first phase, which is approved, uh, in principle at this point, uh, it did not include any Juliet balconies and only five of the 110 are lacking a balcony. And I should note that all phases of development through the MDA secured common amenity space that is outdoor as well as indoor. Um, and now phase two, um, we just don't know what's being proposed yet, uh, but the MDA will be required common amenity space in phase two, both outdoor and indoor. And also, um, at least as well, so there is some assurance, um, but a lot of it would come down if there is a proposal for, say, a higher number of juliet balconies in phase two. We would utilise the development permit guidelines to try to emphasize the

importance of these private outdoor spaces. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any other questions. Not sing any other questions. Someone like to move this particular recommendation. Wait, we already moved it? Yes. No Councillor Cardona and Councillor Coleman. Any comments. Coleman. Maybe just briefly, thank you to staff for, for finalising the bylaws and the resentment and bring it back. I think we've all had a chance to motivate on this in the past, but this is going to be the biggest affordable housing development. I think in Vancouver Island's history, I don't know of any that are bigger than this. So it's, it's going to be really, really transformative and I think in a positive way for Quadril side and for downtown and for the community as a whole. So I'm really appreciative that BC housing given, even given all these fiscal constraints, is willing to keep moving forward with phase one. And at least based on my reading of the staff report, it sounds like they might

start work relatively soon. Maybe I'll just put that as a final question. It looked like phase one might be done in like two or three years, which implies that starting soon. So do we have a sense of timelines. Thank you for the question. And through to the mayor, uh, so, uh, the very speedy timeline being planned by BC housing at this time. It's part of the rush to, um, proceed and finish the master development agreement as quickly as it did. Effectively, the fences up now, they've received their demolition permit for the first phase. And they will immediately go into construction. I understand it as soon as the demolition is complete. So phase, I don't know what the timing to finish it is, but it should be underway early, early to mid fall. And has everyone been rehoused who's being displaced by the redevelopment? Yes. To my understanding, everybody was, uh, has been moved out of the first phase. And I'm not, I'm not privy to

the exact details, but they have all moved out to alternative accommodations. And they would be, of course, offered in the new building when it is. Right. Ready. Thanks, Olivia there. Thanks, Mary. Thanks, Mr. Coleman. And I think that not much to add other than thanks to the applicants and to the staff for actually making this move by relative standards fairly quickly. Indeed. That's right. Um, Ms. Kingsley, can we bundle all four of these together? There's no prohibition and just doing rescinding, removing, reconsidering, all that stuff. As council wishes to proceed, mayor. Of course. I love that answer. Uh, I'm going to speak on behalf of Council to say we'd like to bundle this altogether. Uh, and it has been moved in second, um, with any other comments on the whole bundle. I would just want to add that, uh, I think this has been and will be one of the most exciting projects I think this council has had an opportunity to, um, be involved

in. And wow, I can't wait to see it start. And, uh, it's just, it is going to be transformational and a really intentional way. And just want to express my appreciation to all of the partners and to our staff for assisting and continuing to make it move as fast as possible. So thank you all. With that, then all in favor, anyone opposed. On is unanimous. Thank you very much for that. And that takes us on to the other bylaw that's before us today. This is an adoption of a housing agreement for 2612 266 2620 and 2620 Richmond Road. There's somebody to move that please. Thanks Council Caradona, seconded by Councillor Coleman, Councillor Caradon, any comments.

Oh, Councillor Coleman, any comments. Any comments from anyone else. Not seeing any other comments, all those in favor. Anyone opposed. That is unanimous. That does take us on then to new business, none of which I'm aware that need to be added today. So we are now at a place in our daytime council where we have one matter to consider enclosed. And so Mr. Kingsley, would you like to remind Council and the public please of the sections of the Community Charter that either require or enable us to consider a matter enclosed? Certainly Mayor. The reasons proposed to close the meeting today are under section 91 F of the Community Charter regarding law enforcement matter. And Section 92B regarding the consideration of information received and held in confidence related to negotiations between the municipality and another level of government. Thank you very much for those reasons. May have motion to going to close. Thanks, Councillor Coleman. Second to my councillor Dell. Any discussion. Seeing none, all those

in favor. Anyone opposed. That is unanimous. I just read the information to the public. We do not have an evening meeting tonight. And so the next time you will see us, we'll be next week at 9 a. m. for Committee of the Whole, followed by Dayton Council. Have a lovely week. We will take just a five minutes to allow staff to move us into closed and to test our brand new curtains. So let us resume at three o'clock.