January 26
Local Government Recommendation for Victoria Curling Club at 1952 Quadra Street
An application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for the Victoria Curling Club has been endorsed by City Council, subject to the applicant’s compliance with City bylaws and permits. This application would allow the club to transition their liquor primary club licence to a liquor primary licence and retain the existing hours of 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays. The existing occupant load of 181 people would be maintained.
Missing Middle Housing Initiative
The Official Community Plan (OCP), Affordable Housing Standards Bylaw, Land Use Procedures, and Zoning Regulation bylaw amendments for the Missing Middle Housing Initiative were passed by Council. This will allow houseplexes and corner townhouses in addition to single-family homes in the traditional residential areas of the City.
January 19
My Great Neighbourhood Grant 2022 Program Summary
Council has approved changes to the My Great Neighbourhood Grant Program, including:
An increase for the Placemaking and Community Resiliency categories by $2,500, from $5,000 to $7,500
An increase in the Community Activity budget by $500, from $1,000 to $1,500
Use grant funds to cover the cost of contracting professional traffic control services where required
Learn more about the My Great Neighbourhood Grant Program
Local Government Recommendation for KWENCH at 2031 Store Street
An application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for KWENCH has been endorsed by City Council, subject to the applicant’s compliance with City bylaws and permits. This application would allow KWENCH to increase the occupant load by 140 people, from 260 to 400, and extend hours of licenced service from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Council Member Motion: Near-term Measures to Encourage More Housing and Affordability
Council has directed staff to report back on theimplications of, and with recommendations for:
Amending the House Conversion Regulations to encourage more units in a wider range of houses. The report should address and consider innovations, but not be limited to: relaxing or removing the restrictions related to year of construction of houses and lot dimensions, the restrictions on changes, the unit maximums, the minimum floor areas, and the storey maximums; adding garden suites; and enhancing communications to the public about the availability of house conversions.
Bylaw amendments to permit three suites (suites includes garden suites and tiny homes as appropriate) in the City’s current detached dwelling and duplex zones, to permit suites in existing small-lot properties, to make it easier and more affordable to build garden suites and tiny homes and make the approvals process more streamlined, and to allow for additions to buildings in cases where units are secured rental.
Bylaw amendments and other policies that remove minimum parking requirements for most or all Victoria homes and lots, and to advise on expanding adoption of transit passes for tenants, car share, bike/mobility scooter parking, maximum parking requirements and other transportation demand measures, and providing more accessible parking spaces for multi-unit buildings and streets.
Formally endorsing the Calls to Action of the fourteen non-profit housing providers that make up the Vancouver Island Housing Leadership Network (VIHLN) and requests that the Mayor write to the other municipalities in the Region to encourage them to endorse and implement the Calls.
Advocating, along with other municipalities and the UBCM, to the provincial government to introduce an amendment to the Local Government Act that would phase out the grandfathering of year-round short-term rentals in existing units and buildings.
Considering the timing and priority of the above initiatives in light of workload demands, other initiatives currently underway, the goal of accelerating housing availability and affordability.
January 5
Council Member Motion: Upgrading Arm Street Park with a Dock
Council has referred this item to the Strategic Planning and City Budget process.