October 2021

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. The items are selected highlights from the October 2021 Council Meetings. To review all the topics discussed, click here to see the full agenda and webcast.

We welcome anyone who would like to receive Council Highlights to email us at engage@victoria.ca. To visit the City Council Meeting Dashboard, click here.

October 7

Local Government Recommendation for Jima Cannabis at 2622 Douglas Street and Fernwood Green at 1-1725 Cook Street
Separate applications to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for a provincial cannabis retail store licence for Jima Cannabis on Douglas Street and Fernwood Green on Cook Street have both been endorsed by City Council, subject to the applicant’s compliance with City bylaws and permits.

Victoria Housing Reserve Fund Guidelines
Council has directed staff to maintain the current Victoria Housing Reserve Fund guidelines for applications based on gross new units associated with the project and to require applicants to provide additional rationale where the project is redeveloping existing affordable housing.

Council Member Motion: Developing an Accessible and Adaptable Housing Policy
Council has included the following action in the Victoria Housing Strategy:

  • Develop specific policy to mandate and encourage accessibility, adaptability, and universal design in new developments.

Staff will report back as part of the next Victoria Housing Strategy update with the resource and workplan implications of doing this work and with a timeline for drafting this policy, and will encourage applicants to consider accessibility and universal design as part of their design process, as a voluntary practice until the new policy is in place. 

Council Member Motion: Advocacy for 10 Days of Universal, Permanent Paid Sick Leave for Workers
Council has directed staff to forward the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) resolution to UBCM member local governments, requesting favourable consideration and including a note regarding the timely nature of the issue and the fact that UBCM did not consider the resolution at its convention. In addition, the Mayor, on behalf of Council, will write to the BC Minister of Labour sharing the City’s resolution for Paid Sick Leave for Workers.

October 14

PUBLIC HEARING: 931 Redfern Street – Development Variance Permit Application
Following a Public Hearing, Council voted to approve a Development Variance Permit Application for 931 Redfern Street. This application will allow for construction of a single family dwelling with secondary suite with variances for setbacks.

PUBLIC HEARING: 121 Menzies Street – Development Permit with Variances and Heritage Designation Application
Following a Public Hearing, Council voted to approve a Development Permit with Variances and Heritage Designation Permit Application for 121 Menzies Street. This application allows for a ten unit conversion of the existing house.

Build Back Victoria Update
Council has directed the City Solicitor to bring forward amendments to the Business Recovery from Pandemic Bylaw to extend its validity to October 31, 2022 with new applications connected to a liquor license only being considered until October 31, 2021 and all existing Build Back Victoria permit holders being rolled over until October 31, 2022. Staff will also bring forward interim changes to the Sidewalk Café Regulation Bylaw (renamed the Patio Bylaw) to incorporate lessons learned from Build Back Victoria.

Resource considerations will be prepared to introduce a pilot and establish an on-going Mobile Vending Business Licence and associated permit program as part of the 2023 Financial Planning Process, and staff will include work to streamline the application process for sidewalk applications as a part of this project while providing for proper consideration of accessibility.

October 21

PUBLIC HEARING: 903 Collinson Street – Development Variance Permit Application
Following a Public Hearing, Council voted to approve a Development Variance Permit Application for 903 Collinson Street. This application will allow for relocation of the driveway access for 903 Collinson Street to improve vehicle access and intersection safety. 

Reconsideration of a Portion of Council Motion on Rental Business Licensing Bylaw
Council has voted to suspend development of a Rental Business Licensing Bylaw given changes to the provincial Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), that came into effect on July 1, 2021, designed to prevent evictions carried out to renovate or repair a rental unit. Staff will report back to Council in three months on the effectiveness of the provincial legislation in preventing evictions to date. The City will also undertake tenant capacity-building and outreach activities regarding RTA requirements on repair and renovations of rental housing. Council will advocate to the Province to allow local governments to have the authority to require tenant protections, such as the application of the City’s Tenant Assistance Policy at the issuance of Building Permits and Development Permits, where tenant relocation is required.

Accessibility Framework and Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) Annual Update
Council has endorsed a wheelchair/inclusion rodeo to be led by AAC, encouraging Council members to participate in the rodeo, with staff to support the AAC in hosting and promoting the wheelchair/inclusion rodeo. Sponsors and grants will be sought and if necessary, Council will allocate up to $2,000 from the 2021 contingency toward the wheelchair/inclusion rodeo.

Cultural Infrastructure Grants
Council will consider ongoing funding to the Cultural Infrastructure Grant Program for $250,000 annually from new assessed revenue as part of the 2022 Financial Planning process, with deliberations occurring in January.

October 28

PUBLIC HEARING: 903 Collinson Street – Development Variance Permit Application
Following a Public Hearing, Council voted to approve a Development Variance Permit Application for 903 Collinson Street. This application will allow for relocation of the driveway access for 903 Collinson Street to improve vehicle access and intersection safety. 

PUBLIC HEARING: 1230 Grant Street, 1209, 1218, 1219, 1220 and 1226 North Park Street, 1219 Vining Street, 1235 Caledonia Avenue and 1211 Gladstone Avenue – Rezoning Application, Associated OCP Amendment and Development Permit Application
Following a Public Hearing, Council voted to approve a Rezoning Application, Associated OCP Amendment and Development Permit Application for 1230 Grant Street, 1209, 1218, 1219, 1220 and 1226 North Park Street, 1219 Vining Street, 1235 Caledonia Avenue and 1211 Gladstone Avenue. This application will allow demolition of the existing 18 townhouse units and construction of 158 new affordable rental housing units within 2 apartments and 3 townhouse buildings ranging in heights from approximately three to five storeys.

CRD Regional Transportation Priorities
Council has endorsed the creation of a CRD Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and has directed staff to work with municipal, electoral area, and agency partners through the TAC to advise on regional transportation matters requiring coordination and reporting through the CRD Transportation Committee.