PUBLIC HEARING: Missing Middle Housing Initiative – Zoning Regulation Bylaw and Official Community Plan Bylaw Amendments and Policy Updates
Council held a Public Hearing on the Missing Middle Housing Initiative. Continuation of this Public Hearing will be held on September 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers or participate virtually.
PUBLIC HEARING: 822 Catherine Street – Rezoning Application and Development Permit with Variances
Following a Public Hearing, Council voted to approve a Rezoning Application and Development Permit with Variances for 822 Catherine Street. This application will allow for a mixed-use development with approximately 31 residential rental units.
New Building Zero Carbon Standards 2025 - Engagement Summary and Next Steps
Council has directed staff to prepare the necessary Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw amendments to adopt the approach to the BC Energy Step Code, and forthcoming BC carbon pollution standards following the release of the 2022 BC Building Code revision. Staff will develop educational communications to build public awareness and understanding of the benefits of decarbonization through electrification.
Cultural Infrastructure Grant Program 2022 Report
Council approved staff recommendations for the 2022 Cultural Infrastructure Grant funding allocations.
Governance Review - Phase 2 Report
Council received the Governance Review Phase 2 final report for information and forwarded the recommendations to a workshop at the September 8, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting.
Council Member Motion - Welcoming Cities Advisory Committee Recommendations to Council
Council received the 2022-2023 Welcoming City Implementation Plan for information and allocated $7,500 from the 2022 Contingency budget to host or support an annual welcoming event for newcomers.
Staff will report back as part of the 2023 budget process on the following Implementation Plan items:
- Hosting a job fair for newcomers and immigrants to help fill City job vacancies.
- Hosting a workshop for newcomer-owned businesses to learn about the City’s social procurement process, prequalification, and procurement opportunities.
- Adding a section to the Connect Victoria App, available in multiple languages, that is for newcomers, with information about resources, events, etc.
- Working with the Welcoming City Advisory Committee to develop a program to reach accepted refugees destined for Victoria, including a Welcome to Victoria package in their own language, connections with local employers, etc., as they are waiting to come to Canada.
- Ongoing support for an annual welcoming event for newcomers, including hosting a pre-event or post-event activity and dialogue to introduce newcomer artists and performers to local community leaders and other community members, broaden their connection to the community, and strengthen cross-discipline relationships and knowledge-sharing.
Council Member Motion - Recommendations for Rental Incentive and Market Rental Revitalization Projects
Council directed staff to consider as part of their work on the rental incentive program and the market rental revitalization program the merits and drawbacks, respectively:
- Reinvesting the property tax increment in rent subsidies in redeveloped rental buildings.
- Providing a property tax exemption for five to ten years for rental building retrofits.
Council will write to the Prime Minister, the Federal Minister of Housing and Federal Minister of Finance to advocate for the removal of charging GST from purpose built rental buildings.
Official Community Plan (OCP) Annual Review 2021
Staff presented an OCP Annual Report to Council for information and will communicate findings and highlights to the public.
Read the OCP Annual Report here
Victoria Housing Strategy Annual Review 2021
Staff presented the Victoria Housing Strategy Annual Review 2021 to Council for information. Council will write to the Federal and Provincial governments sharing the information with them with respect to the record transaction level of multi unit residential buildings in the region and continue to advocate for regulation of real estate investment trust and a federal and provincial non-profit housing acquisition fund.
Read the Victoria Housing Strategy Annual Review here
Zoning Regulation of Self-Storage Facilities and Vehicle Storage
Council has directed staff to prepare amendments to the Zoning Regulation Bylaw to prohibit self-storage facilities and vehicle storage lots within existing industrial zones and bring forward the amendment bylaw for first and second readings prior to consideration at a public hearing.
Council Member Motion - Advocacy for Sustainable Funding for Point Ellice House and other Heritage Sites
The Mayor will write, on behalf of Council, to the Premier of British Columbia, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and Members of the Legislative Assembly representing constituencies in the Capital Region, requesting sustainable funding for Point Ellice House and other provincially owned Heritage Sites.
Council Member Motion - Side Guards
Council has voted to require that side guards be installed on all City of Victoria owned and contracted trucks and has directed staff to report back with recommendations and a timeline for implementation. Staff will perform a full review of all City-owned and contracted trucks to ensure side mirrors are installed and in working condition.
The Mayor will write a letter to the federal Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, calling for the federal government to make side guards mandatory on large, heavy and semi-trucks in urban areas, and advocate to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to adopt a resolution asking Transport Canada to make side guards mandatory on large, heavy and semi-trucks in urban areas. The Mayor will also write a letter to the provincial Minister of Transport, Rob Fleming, calling for an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act to require mirrors covering the front and side blind spots on large, heavy and semi-trucks in urban areas.
Council Member Motion: Becoming a National Leader in the Circular Economy
Council endorsed a recommendation to include additions to the Victoria 3.0 Economic Development Strategy, including a new section within the Reinvention and Resilience: Building a Strong and Resilient Local Economy chapter entitled “Become a National Leader in the Circular Economy”, as well as actions under the “Become a National Leader in the Circular Economy” heading related to: access to space; convening and championing; supporting innovation; procurement; and internal City actions.
Permissive Tax Exemptions
Council approved permissive tax exemptions for 2023-2025. Council also approved a 100% exemption for 2023 - 2025 property taxes to the Royal Canadian Legion Trafalgar Pro Patria Branch, and the Mayor will write to the provincial Minister of Finance urging the government to accelerate their consideration of a province wide exemption from property taxes for British Columbia Legions.