Council agendas around the Westshore

There are three council meetings tonight in the Westshore. Here’s an overview of what’s up for conversation:

View Royal the latest council to consider a possible pay increase before the election

Following Colwood’s decision last week and Sooke earlier this year to increase council remuneration, View Royal is set to review its remuneration as well, which it does every four years before the municipal elections. A report commissioned from a human resources consultant recommends placing View Royal in the 75th percentile of its neighbours by raising the mayor to $44,687 and councillors to $22,343 (from $33,691 and $16,153).

Including the two new councillors that View Royal voted (back in Dec. 2022) to add at the next election, the total increase comes to a little more than $80k annually. The new councillors also come with a one-time $50k expense to add two desks to council chambers.

Including the two new councillors View Royal voted back in December to add at the next election, the total increase comes to a little more than $80,000 annually. The new councillors also come with a one-time $50,000 expense to add two desks to council chambers.

On the rezoning and development front, a five-storey residential development on Island Highway that backs onto Portage Park was rezoned in April, and now developers have formalized the landscaping design plan and are seeking council’s approval. Two individual home owners have applied for permits, one to demolish a carport and build a carriage home with garage, and the other to install a cover over a concrete patio that impedes on the required set back.

Langford’s last meeting of the term could see 380 units of housing approved for development

Tonight’s meeting will be the last of this council, as they previously voted to cancel the last three meetings including all committee meetings.

There are nine housing-related rezoning applications up for approval, which add up to 380 units of housing, split between two apartment buildings and seven townhouse complexes.

There’s a public hearing for the future Royal Roads University campus in downtown Langford, set to be developed over 10 years. The rezoning application—happening after the project has been planned, funded, and announced—asks that requirements for green space, pedestrian plaza, and parking be waived until the whole project is complete. Construction is slated to begin at the south west corner, but the property owned by the university extends up Peatt Road half way to Larkhill Road, and includes several detached houses that will be demolished. Unusually, the rezoning will have the first, second and third readings and be up for adoption on the same day as the public hearing. Typically rezoning applications are read first, then go to public hearing where the second and third reading happens, and at a third meeting can be adopted.

Environmental protection added to Parks department

In May, Coun. Lillian Szpak suggested creating a new climate action committee. Her idea was amended—with verbose discussion among council—to expand the existing Parks, Recreation, Culture and Beautification Committee into the Parks, Recreation, Environment, Culture, and Beautification Committee. This Tuesday the committee will present its new terms of reference, which now includes environmental protection.

However staff are recommending that the increased scope only apply to City-owned land, in order to “ensure there are not conflicts between the Development Permit Guidelines and any recommendations of the Parks Committee.”

Szpak has also suggested that Langford write a dust bylaw. This issue has been on and off the agenda for several years, flaring up periodically when dust complaints pile up. Last winter staff were directed to ask Colwood staff how effective their dust bylaw was. Colwood answered that construction sites are required to use water or other dust suppressants, and that since the bylaw came into effect in 2016 only two fines have been issued (both were to the same site) and they only have three to four complaints a year.

Highlands wants forest management plan before approving development

A development proposal in Highlands is inching closer to final approval, but first staff are recommending council wait for the proponent to work out a managed forest plan. The property is on Millstream Lake Road is mostly forested and covenanted to remain as forest. The landowner has proposed a 10-unit subdivision on the non-covenanted area that’s already been cleared. The rest of the forest area will be co-managed with Habitat Acquisition Trust. The proposal has been appearing on Highlands council agenda since March of this year.

Council will also decide whether to approve spending between $5,000 and $8,000 for temporary repairs to Corry Road bridge, which was damaged in the 2021 atmospheric river. Permanent repairs will be addressed as a separate budget item next year.