January 2017
Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. For more information on each initiative, please visit the accompanying link where noted. We welcome anyone who would like to receive Council Highlights to email us at engage@victoria.ca.
January 12
2035 Stanley Avenue Rezoning Application
Following a public hearing, Council declined a rezoning application at 2035 Stanley Avenue.
721 Government Street
Council approved a heritage alteration permit with variance for 721 Government Street. This permit will allow for a covered front entrance at the Empress Hotel.
Dockside Green Rezoning Application
A date for Public Hearing has been set for January 26 regarding the rezoning application at the undeveloped lands at Dockside Green (Easterly 300 Block of Tyee Road and Westerly 300 Block of Harbour Road). This rezoning would involve an amendment to the Official Community Plan, the Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Land Use Procedures Bylaw and Dockside Green Master Development Agreement.
The proposed amendment allows for additional uses within the proposed Sub-Areas including:
- brewery (not more than one facility, maximum manufacturing area is 500m2)
- distillery (not more than one facility, maximum manufacturing area is 500m2)
- liquor retail store, as an accessory use to a distillery or a brewery (not more than two stores that shall not exceed 100m2 each in floor area)
- kindergarten (daycare)
- parks
- seniors' housing - assisted living
- seniors' housing - independent living
- cultural facility
727 Johnson Street Rezoning and Development Permit Application
This development was moved to public hearing; no date set yet. The application would allow construction of a 2 storey addition to the existing building and converting the office building to ground floor retail and residential above.
Strategic Plan Amendments
City Council ratified amendments to the City of Victoria’s Strategic Plan 2015-2018. The Strategic Plan is a road map for Council's decision-making and includes 13 objectives and associated actions and outcomes to guide the City's work. An amended version of the Strategic Plan will be available on the City’s website soon.
Approval for the 2017 Financial Plan
Council has approved the 2017 Financial Plan. As presented in the plan, and combined with utility fees, the overall costs to homeowners would result in a 2.91% increase from 2016 and a 2.98% increase for businesses.
On January 26, Council will discuss one remaining supplementary request from the Victoria Police Department, $240,200 to fund police support for a vulnerable population pilot project.
913-929 Burdett Avenue and 914-924 McClure Street Heritage Alteration Permit
This heritage alteration permit request has been sent to the joint Advisory Design Panel and Heritage Advisory Panel for further comments.
8 and 10 Philippa Place Rezoning Application
A rezoning application for 8 and 10 Philippa Place has been moved to Public Hearing, with no date set yet. This application proposes to strata title the existing non-conforming duplex.
Development Permits with Variances
The following proposed development permits with variances have been moved forward to a hearing with public input.
- 1040 Alston Street - to rebuild and extend a second storey balcony at the rear and to construct new stairs from the balcony to grade.
- 1961 Douglas Street – for addition of one new transient suite
Parking Rates
City staff will work with the Downtown Victoria Business Association, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Residents’ Association to bring forward recommendations on short term parking solutions for the downtown core.
90-92 Dallas Road Rezoning and Development Permit with Variance
Council moved this proposed rezoning and development permit with variance application to Public Hearing on February 9. The proposed application would allow for the construction of a new duplex.
Heritage Property Protection and Land Use Procedures Amendment Bylaws
Council approved changes to the Heritage Property Protection and Land Use Procedures Amendment Bylaws that will provide more protection to Heritage Registered and Heritage Designated homes regarding demolition.
January 26
Dockside Green Rezoning Application
Following a public hearing, Council adopted amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment Bylaws for Dockside Green, approving the Dockside Green Updated Neighbourhood Plan.
The approved plan allows for additional uses within the proposed Sub-Areas including:
- brewery (not more than one facility, maximum manufacturing area is 500m2)
- distillery (not more than one facility, maximum manufacturing area is 500m2)
- liquor retail store, as an accessory use to a distillery or a brewery (not more than two stores that shall not exceed 100m2 each in floor area)
- kindergarten (daycare)
- parks
- seniors' housing - assisted living
- seniors' housing - independent living
- cultural facility
Clover Point Pump Station Rezoning Application
Council moved forward to Public Hearing a rezoning application which would permit the Capital Regional District to expand the existing Clover Point Pump Station, install a conveyance pipe along Dallas Road and permit public realm improvements such as interpretive signage, benches, bike racks and more. No date set for the hearing yet.
Royal McPherson Theatre Society Partner’s Project Group
The City has endorsed a work plan for the Theatre Society that will encourage more municipal participation in the project group. In addition, Council has requested that the CRD Board lift a funding freeze on capital funds for 2017.
VicPD Mental Health Strategy
The Victoria Police Department will receive $204,900 from the City for a pilot project intended to support vulnerable populations as outlined in their Mental Health Strategy. The Council motion supporting this funding noted the following conditions:
- Fund first year of police support for vulnerable population pilot project, $204,900 from 2016 surplus
- Subject to a report from police with regard to pilot project, to the satisfaction of the majority of Council, fund second year of pilot project, $204,900 from 2017 surplus
- That the Mayor write to Island Health and ask for them to consider funding one of the Assertive Community Treatment officers in the future
- That VicPD work with a cross section of community partners drawn from groups such as the downtown service providers, and Social Inclusion Advisory Committee in developing an evaluation framework for the pilot project
Accessibility Improvements
Two new pilot projects have been approved aimed at improving accessibility in Victoria. Truncated domes, also known as curb cuts, as well as accessible pedestrian signals each received $30,000 to pilot the improvements. Council also approved that reports to Council include accessibility impacts.
Festival Improvement Grants
The City has approved $169,000 cash and $115,500 in-kind in Festival Investment Grants. The 32 festivals and celebrations that were approved for funding will add to Victoria’s vitality, vibrancy and diversity.
Short Term Vacation Rentals
Staff will be reporting back to Council on the implications of pro-actively enforcing existing bylaws where short-term vacation rentals are allowed and require a business licence. The City will also consider pro-actively enforcing bylaws where they are not allowed including condos without transient zoning and single-family dwellings (including homes and suites). The City is considering allowing owner-occupied dwellings to offer short-term vacation rentals on a temporary basis. The City is continuing to research ways to limit short-term vacation rentals, where appropriate, in order to increase rental housing stock. An enforcement strategy is under development.
2016 Regional Growth Strategy
City Council agreed to advise the Capital Regional District (CRD) Board that the City of Victoria accepts CRD Bylaw No. 4017 to enact the 2016 Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) for the Capital Region. The Strategy is a planning document that sets out a renewed vision for the future of the region until the year 2038 through policies and objectives such as updated population projections, renewed climate change policies, a new section on food systems, a new criteria-based water servicing policy, and refined land use designations.
Advisory Bodies to Council
Staff were directed to bring forward policy options to address process enhancements for advisory bodies to Council. Examples of advisory bodies include citizen-based advisory committees, task forces and working groups that assist the City of Victoria and provide recommendations to Council.
