Victoria public meetings in 2023
27 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Committee of the Whole
The Committee approved a $2.5 million grant for a 40-unit affordable workforce housing project at 2558 Quadra Street. Council also authorized development permits for two residential towers in Victoria West and a variance for a residential rental unit in Fernwood.
- Approved $2,500,000 grant to Greater Victoria Housing Society for 40-unit workforce housing at 2558 Quadra Street (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Permit No. 000626 for two residential towers at 343 Tyee Road, 90 Esquimalt Road and 350-358 Harbour Road (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Variance Permit No. 00284 for 1399 Stanley Avenue to reduce parking spaces and add one rental unit (Unanimous)
- Authorized Statutory Right of Way agreement for water service vault at 10 Bastion Square (Unanimous)
- Confirmed Councillor Marg Gardiner as 5th Alternate Municipal Director to the CRD Board 2022-2026 (Unanimous)
- Authorized Mayor Alto to attend Strong Cities Global Summit in New York City, including airfare up to Cdn$1,400 (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council authorized a development permit for 1006 Wharf Street with specific variances and adopted several OCP and zoning amendments. Multiple bylaws regarding childcare space and storage facilities were given first, second, or third readings. A temporary use permit for 355 Catherine Street and 210 Kimta Road was also approved.
- Approved Development Permit with Variances for 1006 Wharf Street (8-0)
- Adopted Official Community Plan Bylaw 2012 Amendment No. 52 (Unanimous)
- Adopted Zoning Regulation Bylaw Amendment No. 23-016 (Unanimous)
- Adopted Zoning Bylaw 2018 Amendment No. 23-049 (Unanimous)
- Adopted Streets and Traffic Bylaw Amendment No. 23-048 (Unanimous)
- Gave first and second readings to storage facility zoning amendments (8-0)
- Gave first and second readings to rezoning for 1905 Lee Avenue (8-1)
- Approved Temporary Use Permit for 355 Catherine Street and 210 Kimta Road (8-1)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved a temporary use permit for 355 Catherine Street and advanced a rezoning application for 970 Walker Street. Council also authorized a partnership with the Downtown Victoria Business Association for a facade beautification program and approved travel costs for three councillors to attend the UBCM 2023 Convention.
- Approved Temporary Use Permit No. 00029 for 355 Catherine Street and 210 Kimta Road (8-0)
- Advanced rezoning and development permit for 970 Walker Street to public hearing (8-0)
- Authorized partnership with Downtown Victoria Business Association for Business Façade Beautification Reimbursement Program (8-0)
- Approved Neighborhood Assignment Policy for Councillors (8-0)
- Authorized $2,989 for Councillor Loughton to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (8-0)
- Authorized $2,170 for Councillor Coleman to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (8-0)
- Authorized $2,989 for Councillor Caradonna to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (8-0)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council approved a rezoning application and development permit with variances for a project at 1514 and 1520 Foul Bay Road. The board also directed staff to tighten short-term rental regulations and update the city's ticket bylaws.
- Approved rezoning and development permit for 1514 and 1520 Foul Bay Road (7-1)
- Directed staff to amend BC Housing agreement to reduce rental units from 19 to 18 (Unanimous)
- Approved updates to Ticket Bylaw and Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw (Unanimous)
- Directed City Solicitor to restrict principal residence short-term rentals to four bookings per year (Unanimous)
- Approved increasing non-principal resident operator short-term rental fee to at least $2,500 (Unanimous)
- Approved increasing 'Operating without a Business Licence' fine from $500 to $1,000 (Unanimous)
- Directed City Manager to review base Council remuneration by December 31, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Supported extension of hours to 2 a.m. daily for Saint Franks at 727 Yates Street (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council unanimously approved the progression of rezoning and development permit applications for two properties. The city also delegated market leasing authority for city lands to the Director of Strategic Real Estate and updated committee policies.
- Approved rezoning and development permit process for 1039 & 1043 Meares Street (unanimous)
- Approved rezoning and development permit process for 624 and 628 Manchester Road (unanimous)
- Delegated authority to Director of Strategic Real Estate for leases up to $150,000/year (unanimous)
- Authorized amended Reciprocal Fire Services Mutual and Automatic Aid Agreement (unanimous)
- Approved Committee Establishment and Committee Terms of Reference policies (unanimous)
- Authorized $1,765.85 for Councillor Hammond to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (unanimous)
- Gave first reading to Delegation Bylaw No. 23-079 (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from July 6, 2023 meeting (8-0)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee referred a proposed 17-storey tower and townhouse development in James Bay back to staff for a more contextual proposal. A rezoning and development permit application for two townhouse buildings on Foul Bay Road was also advanced. Council authorized funding for Councillor Hammond to attend a municipal convention.
- Referred rezoning for 205 Quebec St, 507 Montreal St, and 210-224 Kingston St back to staff for a modified proposal (6-3)
- Approved authorization and $1,765.85 in costs for Councillor Hammond to attend the Union of BC Municipalities 2023 Convention (Unanimous)
- Approved rezoning and development permit application for 1514 and 1520 Foul Bay Road to permit two four-unit townhouse buildings (5-4)
- Approved agenda (Unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from July 6, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
Council
Council approved the Regulation of Fences Bylaw No. 23-025, which incorporates fence regulations into the Zoning Regulation Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw 2018. Council also adopted an amendment to the Ticket Bylaw to reflect these changes. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing.
- Approved third reading of Regulation of Fences Bylaw No. 23-025 (Unanimous)
- Adopted Regulation of Fences Bylaw No. 23-025 (Unanimous)
- Adopted Ticket Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw (No. 14) No. 23-071 (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved the allocation of sightseeing vehicle parking stands to Wilson’s Transportation Ltd and an amendment to a BC Housing agreement. They also authorized travel costs for three councillors to attend a convention and directed staff to update ticket and adjudication bylaws.
- Approved allocating sightseeing vehicle parking stands 1, 2, and 3 to Wilson’s Transportation Ltd starting January 1, 2024 (Unanimous)
- Approved amending BC Housing agreement to reduce rental units from 19 to 18 (Unanimous)
- Directed staff to update Ticket Bylaw and Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw (Unanimous)
- Authorized $3,755 for Councillor Kim to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (Unanimous)
- Authorized $3,755 for Councillor Dave Thompson to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (Unanimous)
- Authorized $5,170 plus carbon footprint costs for Councillor Gardiner to attend UBCM 2023 Convention (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes from May 4, June 15, and June 29, 2023 meetings (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council adopted an amendment to the Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw and approved a zoning amendment for 3198 Quadra Street. The body also allocated sightseeing vehicle parking stands to Wilson’s Transportation Ltd and authorized travel costs for three councillors to attend a convention.
- Approved Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw, 2023, Amendment Bylaw (No. 1) (8-1)
- Approved Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw (No. 1287) for 3198 Quadra Street (Unanimous)
- Allocated sightseeing vehicle parking stands 1, 2, and 3 to Wilson’s Transportation Ltd (Unanimous)
- Authorized Heritage Alteration Permit No. 000258 for 396/470 Belleville Street (Unanimous)
- Approved travel costs for Councillors Kim ($3,755), Thompson ($3,755), and Gardiner ($5,170+) to attend UBCM 2023 (Unanimous)
- Passed Council Procedures Bylaw No. 23-061 through first, second, and third readings (Unanimous)
- Gave first reading to Parks Regulation Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw (No. 18) (8-1)
- Referred Parks Regulation Bylaw amendments regarding Hollywood and Irving Parks back to staff (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee unanimously approved moving two rezoning and development permit applications for residential buildings to public hearings. It also authorized new and renewed mural license agreements and a delegation of authority for commercial leasing of City lands.
- Approved moving rezoning and development permit for 49-unit building at 1039 & 1043 Meares Street to public hearing (Unanimous)
- Approved moving rezoning and development permit for 11-unit townhouse project at 624 & 628 Manchester Road to public hearing (Unanimous)
- Authorized 10-year mural license agreement with Yen Wo Society for 1713 Government Street (Unanimous)
- Authorized 5-year license renewals for 16 Concrete Canvas murals in Rock Bay (Unanimous)
- Instructed City Solicitor to prepare bylaw delegating commercial leasing authority to Director of Strategic Real Estate for leases up to $150,000/year (Unanimous)
- Approved agenda (Unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council unanimously approved several development permits and directed staff to prepare zoning bylaw amendments for multiple properties. Decisions included rezoning applications for Stannard Avenue, Avalon Road, and Esquimalt Road, as well as various development permits with variances.
- Approved rezoning and development permit with variances for 419 and 421 Stannard Avenue (Unanimous)
- Approved rezoning and development permit with variance for 623/625 Avalon Road (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Permit No. 000628 for 903 Sherk Street (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Permit with Variances No. 00194 for 429 Vancouver Street (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Permit with Variances No. 00218 for 206 St. Charles Street (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Permit No. 00615 for 1555 Hillside Avenue (Unanimous)
- Instructed staff to prepare Zoning Regulation Bylaw Amendment for 480 and 492 Esquimalt Road (Unanimous)
- Approved agenda and reported resolutions from July 6, 2023 closed meeting (Unanimous)
Council
Council adopted a heritage designation bylaw amendment for 1964 Fairfield Road. Additionally, a development variance permit was authorized for a deck extension at C-3052 Washington Avenue.
- Adopted Heritage Designation (1964 Fairfield Road) Amendment Bylaw No. 23-007 (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Variance Permit No. 00281 for C-3052 Washington Avenue to reduce rear yard setback to 6.03m (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council approved rezoning and development permits for properties on South Turner Street and Heywood Avenue. The city also voted to prohibit sheltering in Stadacona Park by November 1, 2023, and paused the Citizen-led Heritage Conservation Areas Policy.
- Approved rezoning and development permit for 27 South Turner Street (Unanimous)
- Approved development permit variances for 956 Heywood Avenue (7-2)
- Directed staff to prohibit sheltering in Stadacona Park by November 1, 2023 (7-2)
- Directed staff to bring forward Zoning Regulation for Self-Storage Facilities and Vehicle Storage (Unanimous)
- Granted HMCS Malahat Freedom of the City for September 23, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Endorsed Vancouver Island Housing Leadership Network’s calls to action (Unanimous)
- Paused Citizen-led Heritage Conservation Areas Policy pending OCP 10-Year Review (6-3)
- Confirmed interim eligibility criteria for the Tax Incentive Program (TIP)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee decided to allow land-use applications to proceed without review by the Heritage Advisory Panel and Advisory Design Panel until August 31, 2023, or until new members are onboarded. Other actions included approving a heritage permit for the Belleville Steamship Terminal and an earthquake warning project agreement.
- Approved bypassing Heritage Advisory Panel and Advisory Design Panel for land-use applications until Aug 31, 2023, or new member onboarding (8-1)
- Approved Heritage Alteration Permit No. 000258 for 396 / 470 Belleville Street (Unanimous)
- Authorized execution of agreements for the Regional Earthquake Early Warning Project (Unanimous)
- Denied motion to have staff advise on costs for security near sheltering sites and supportive housing (2-6)
- Received 2022 Official Community Plan Annual Review for information (Unanimous)
- Received 2022 Victoria Housing Strategy Annual Review for information (Unanimous)
Special Council (to follow COTW)
Council gave first, second, and third readings to an amendment for the Parks Regulation Bylaw. The meeting was a special session held immediately following the Committee of the Whole.
- Approved first, second, and third readings of Parks Regulation Bylaw, Amendment Bylaw (No. 17) No. 23-063 (6-1)
Special Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole unanimously approved several development permits for residential and commercial projects. It also advanced two rezoning applications for garden suites and a duplex to the public hearing stage.
- Approved rezoning and development permit for garden suite at 623/625 Avalon Road (Unanimous)
- Approved Development Permit No. 000628 for addition/alteration at 903 Sherk Street (Unanimous)
- Approved waiver of public comment and conditional development permit for 429 Vancouver Street (Unanimous)
- Approved waiver of public comment and conditional development permit for 206 St. Charles Street (Unanimous)
- Approved Development Permit No. 00615 for retail building at 1555 Hillside Avenue (Unanimous)
- Approved rezoning and conditional development permit for duplex and garden suite at 419 and 421 Stannard Avenue (Unanimous)
Special Council
Council gave third reading to bylaws allowing a 21-storey mixed-use development at 710 Caledonia Avenue and 1961 Douglas Street. Council also gave third reading to a rezoning application for a 90-unit supportive housing building at 722 and 726 Discovery Street.
- Approved third reading for Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 23-010 (unanimous)
- Approved third reading for Zoning Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 23-011 for 710 Caledonia Ave and 1961 Douglas St (unanimous)
- Approved third reading for Zoning Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 23-018 for 722 and 726 Discovery St (6-1)
Council
Council approved a rezoning application for a 39-unit long-term supportive housing building and granted a development variance permit for two single-family dwellings. The 2022 Annual Report was received for information.
- Approved Development Variance Permit No. 00272 for 1768 Chandler Avenue to allow two single-family dwellings (Unanimous)
- Gave third reading to Zoning Regulation Bylaw Amendment No. 23-056 for a 39-unit supportive housing building at 1046 and 1048 North Park Street (Unanimous)
- Received the 2022 Annual Report for information (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council authorized a heritage alteration permit for 579-589 Johnson Street and endorsed a tax incentive program for rental apartment upgrades. The meeting also included approvals for a development variance on Cook Street and several provincial resolutions regarding biodiversity and homelessness.
- Approved Heritage Alteration Permit No. 00248 for 579-589 Johnson Street (Unanimous)
- Designated 579 Johnson Street as a Municipal Heritage Site (Unanimous)
- Approved Development Variance Permit No. 00270 for 805 Cook Street (8-1)
- Endorsed Market Rental Revitalization Tax Incentive Program for 1960s-70s apartments (Unanimous)
- Approved new Proclamation Policy for request procedures (Unanimous)
- Endorsed UBCM resolution for Local Natural Areas Protection Fund (8-0)
- Endorsed UBCM resolution for emergency homelessness prevention strategies (Unanimous)
- Authorized $3,703.50 for Councillor Gardiner to attend Canadian Capital Cities Organization Conference (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee approved a pause on the Citizen-led Heritage Conservation Areas Policy until the Official Community Plan 10-Year Review is complete. They also endorsed a resolution for the Union of BC Municipalities regarding emergency homelessness prevention and authorized travel for a council member.
- Paused Citizen-led Heritage Conservation Areas Policy nominations and processing (6-3)
- Endorsed resolution for emergency homelessness prevention strategies for UBCM Conference (Unanimous)
- Authorized $3,703.50 for Councillor Gardiner to attend Canadian Capital Cities Organization Annual Conference (Unanimous)
- Approved Indigenous Survivors Day Proclamation for Council consideration (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from March 2, 2023 special COTW meeting (Unanimous)
- Received Heritage Program Briefing report for information (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council approved financial plan amendments for park infrastructure and awarded 2023 Cultural Infrastructure Grants. The city also moved to prohibit overnight sheltering in Beacon Hill Park and Central Park. Additionally, Council supported extended liquor license hours for Artemis at 560 Johnson Street.
- Approved $750,000 for Centennial Square Action Plan (7-2)
- Approved $300,000 for recreational swim platform (unanimous)
- Approved 2023 Cultural Infrastructure Grant funding (unanimous)
- Approved extended liquor hours for Artemis at 560 Johnson Street (unanimous)
- Directed staff to prohibit overnight sheltering in Beacon Hill Park and Central Park (unanimous)
- Endorsed creation of a Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan (unanimous)
- Directed staff to list policy disincentives for new attached homes (unanimous)
- Directed staff to prepare Council Procedures Bylaw amendments (unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee approved moving forward with a rezoning application and development permit for a four-dwelling unit building at 27 South Turner Street, subject to specific plan revisions. Other actions included awarding cultural infrastructure grants and granting Freedom of the City to the HMCS Malahat.
- Approved funding for the 2023 Cultural Infrastructure Grant program (Unanimous)
- Granted Freedom of the City to HMCS Malahat for September 23, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved proceeding with Rezoning Application No. 00818 for 27 South Turner Street subject to plan revisions regarding trees, garage removal, and accessibility (Unanimous)
- Approved proceeding with Development Permit with Variances No. 000619 for 27 South Turner Street subject to rezoning approval (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from COTW meetings held March 6, March 16, May 18, and June 1, 2023 (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council granted first and second readings for rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments at three different locations. The city also endorsed two proclamations and held a closed meeting to discuss land acquisition or disposition.
- Approved first and second readings for OCP and Zoning bylaws for 710 Caledonia Avenue and 1961 Douglas Street (Unanimous)
- Approved first and second reading for Zoning Regulation Bylaw for 722 and 726 Discovery Street (Unanimous)
- Endorsed 'International Medical Cannabis Day' proclamation (Unanimous)
- Endorsed 'World Refugee Day' proclamation (Unanimous)
- Approved agenda and May 11, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to close meeting to the public to discuss land matters under Section 90(1)(e) (Unanimous)
Council
Council approved the rezoning and development permit for a 54-unit rental building at 450 Dallas Road. A rezoning application for nine attached dwellings at 349 Kipling Street and 1400 Fairfield Road received third reading. The meeting also included public presentations regarding community amenities and unhoused neighbors.
- Approved Official Community Plan and Zoning amendments for 450 Dallas Road (Unanimous)
- Adopted Housing Agreement (450 Dallas Road) Bylaw No. 23-032 (Unanimous)
- Authorized Development Permit with Variances for 450 Dallas Road (Unanimous)
- Gave third reading to Zoning Regulation Bylaw Amendment No. 23-033 for 349 Kipling Street and 1400 Fairfield Road (8-1)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee approved a heritage alteration permit for a mixed-use residential building at 579-589 Johnson Street and a development variance for 805 Cook Street. It also endorsed a tax exemption pilot for rental building upgrades and adopted a new proclamation policy.
- Approved Heritage Alteration Permit No. 00248 for 579-589 Johnson Street (Unanimous)
- Approved heritage designation for 579 Johnson Street (Unanimous)
- Directed staff to remove Shotbolt Building (585-587 Johnson Street) from Heritage Registry (Unanimous)
- Approved Development Variance Permit No. 00270 for 805 Cook Street to increase suites to 24 and reduce parking (Unanimous)
- Endorsed tax exemption pilot for electrification and seismic upgrades in 1960s-70s rental buildings (Unanimous)
- Denied amendment to expedite the rental tax incentive pilot project (2-7)
- Approved new Council Policy for proclamation requests (Unanimous)
- Forwarded World Refugee Day Proclamation to Council (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee approved a request to extend operating hours for Artemis at 560 Johnson Street and supported a funding application to the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund. Council also moved to support a Truth and Reconciliation Day event and advanced a rezoning application for supportive housing on Discovery Street.
- Approved extended hours for Artemis at 560 Johnson Street (Unanimous)
- Directed staff to prepare Zoning Regulation Bylaw amendment for 1905 Lee Avenue (Unanimous)
- Supported funding application to CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund (Unanimous)
- Approved up to $50,000 for Truth and Reconciliation Day 2023 event (Unanimous)
- Forwarded motion for first and second readings of Zoning Amendment Bylaw for 722 and 726 Discovery Street (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from six previous COTW meetings (Unanimous)
- Forwarded ALS Awareness Month Proclamation to daytime Council meeting (Unanimous)
Council (to follow COTW)
Council approved moving forward with rezoning and development permits for non-market housing at 722 and 726 Discovery Street. Other actions included approving a rezoning application for Mary and Russell Streets and maintaining Government Street as a pedestrian zone.
- Approved rezoning for 340-346 Mary St and 247-253 Russell St (7-1)
- Approved Development Variance Permit No. 00281 for C-3052 Washington Avenue (Unanimous)
- Reconfirmed support for maintaining Government Street as a pedestrianized zone (Unanimous)
- Authorized Statutory Right of Way agreement for water meter at 612 Constance Avenue (Unanimous)
- Advanced rezoning and development permit for non-market housing at 722 and 726 Discovery Street (Unanimous)
- Endorsed proclamations for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, World Refrigeration Day, and ALS Awareness Month (Unanimous)