AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, October 20, 2025

4:30 p.m. To Proceed In Camera, Reconvene Regular Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre

80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC

SCHEDULED RECESS AT 9:00 P.M.

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1.

CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER:

2.

PROCEDURAL MOTION:

That the meeting be closed to the public in order to deal with agenda items under the Community Charter:

Section 90(1) A part of a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:

(a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;
(b) personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity;
(c) labour relations or other employee relations;
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;
(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
(n) the consideration of whether a Council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection or subsection (2); and,

 

Section 90(2) A part of a meeting must be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following:

 

(b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.

3.

INTRODUCTION OF LATE ITEMS:

4.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

5.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Monday, 2025-OCT-06 at 4:30 p.m.

6.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

7.

RISE AND REPORT:

8.

PRESENTATIONS:

a.

2025 Creative City Impact Award for Cultural Events

To be introduced by Lisa Bhopalsingh, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer.

b.

2025 Nanaimo 55+ BC Games Summary of Events

To be introduced by Lisa Bhopalsingh, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. 

Presentation:

• Darcie Osborne, Director, Parks, Recreation, and Culture
• Grace Bell, Manager, Sports and Arenas
• Diana Johnstone, President, Nanaimo 55+ BC Games Society
• Jenn Houtby-Ferguson, Director, Nanaimo 55+ BC Games Society

c.

BC Housing re: Overview of BC Housing’s Projects in Nanaimo

Presentation:

• Tara Schmidt, Acting Director, Regional Development, Vancouver Island
• Jennifer Fox, Regional Director, Vancouver Island Region

9.

COMMITTEE MINUTES:

a.

Minutes

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-SEP-11 at 5:01 p.m.

b.

Minutes

Minutes of the Design Advisory Panel Meeting held in the Boardroom, Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC, on Thursday, 2025-SEP-25 at 5:10 p.m.

10.

CONSENT ITEMS:

a.

Finance and Audit Committee Meeting 2025-OCT-15

[Note: A link to the 2025-OCT-15 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting agenda is attached for information.]

1.

Debt Management Policy Amendment

That Council endorse the proposed amendments to Council Policy COU-234 - "Debt Management Policy" as presented in Attachment A of the Staff report titled “Debt Management Policy Amendment” dated 2025-OCT-15.

2.

2026 General Fund Project Contingency

That Council direct Staff to include a $1,035,000 general fund project contingency for 2026 in the 2026–2030 Provisional Financial Plan, funded from 2025 surplus.

11.

DELEGATIONS:

a.

Veronica Carroll, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island re: Home Away From Home in Nanaimo Build

b.

Jackie Bolen re: Banning Single Use Plastic Water Bottles Under 1L in Size in Nanaimo

12.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

a.

Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area Bylaw

To be introduced by Laura Mercer, General Manager, Corporate Services.

Purpose: To provide Council with information regarding the proposed Business Improvement Area bylaw and to seek Council’s approval to initiate a local area service on a Council initiative subject to a petition against process.

Recommendation: That:

1. "Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area Bylaw 2025, No. 7395" (a bylaw to establish a Business Improvement Area in the downtown Nanaimo area) pass first reading;
2. "Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area Bylaw 2025, No. 7395" pass second reading; and
3. "Downtown Nanaimo Business Association Business Improvement Area Bylaw 2025, No. 7395" pass third reading.
4. Council direct Staff to proceed with notice of intention to conduct a local area service on a Council initiative subject to a petition against process; and
5. Council direct Staff to carry out the petition against process.

b.

Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program - Local Area Service Bylaws for Additional Participating Properties

To be introduced by Jeremy Holm, Director, Planning and Development.

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to bring forward bylaws which will establish a Local Area Service as required to provide financing for properties that are participating in the City of Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program.

Recommendation: 

2305 Panorama View Drive

1. That "Home Energy Retrofit Financing [2305 Panorama View Drive] Local Area Service Establishment Bylaw 2025 No. 7416" (a bylaw to provide financing for participation in the City of Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program) pass first reading;
2. That the bylaw pass second reading; and,
3. That the bylaw pass third reading.

843 Athena Place

1. That "Home Energy Retrofit Financing [843 Athena Place] Local Area Service Establishment Bylaw 2025 No. 7420" (a bylaw to provide financing for participation in the City of Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program) pass first reading;
2. That the bylaw pass second reading; and,
3. That the bylaw pass third reading.

2548 Cosgrove Crescent

1. That "Home Energy Retrofit Financing [2548 Cosgrove Crescent] Local Area Service Establishment Bylaw 2025 No. 7432" (a bylaw to provide financing for participation in the City of Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program) pass first reading;
2. That the bylaw pass second reading; and,
3. That the bylaw pass third reading.

6160 Dover Road

1. That "Home Energy Retrofit Financing [6160 Dover Road] Local Area Service Establishment Bylaw 2025 No. 7433" (a bylaw to provide financing for participation in the City of Nanaimo Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program) pass first reading;
2. That the bylaw pass second reading; and,
3. That the bylaw pass third reading.

13.

DEVELOPMENT REPORTS:

a.

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP486 - 5160 Universal Place

Purpose: To present for Council’s consideration a development variance permit application to allow the construction of an over height retaining wall at 5160 Universal Place.

It is requested that Council hear anyone wishing to speak with respect to Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP486 - 5160 Universal Place.

Recommendation: That Council issue Development Variance Permit No. DVP486 for the construction of an over height retaining wall at 5160 Universal Place with a variance as outlined in the "Proposed Variance" section of the Staff Report titled "Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP486 - 5160 Universal Place" dated 2025-OCT-20.

b.

Rezoning Application No. RA496 - 3469 Uplands Drive

Purpose: To present Council with an application to rezone 3469 Uplands Drive from Steep Slope Residential (R10) to Medium Density Residential (R8) with a site-specific density to allow a multi-family residential development.

Recommendation: That:

1. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.245" (to rezone 3469 Uplands Drive from Steep Slope Residential [R10] to Medium Density Residential [R8] with a site-specific Floor Area Ratio) pass first reading;
2. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.245" pass second reading;
3. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 4500.245" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to secure the conditions related to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.245" as outlined in the "Conditions of Rezoning" section of the Staff Report titled "Rezoning Application No. RA496 - 3469 Uplands Drive" dated 2025-OCT-20 prior to final adoption.

c.

Rezoning Application No. RA512 - 2367 Arbot Road

Purpose: To present for Council’s consideration an application to rezone 2367 Arbot Road from Commercial Recreation Centre (CC6) to Low Density Residential (R6) with a site-specific height and lot coverage in order to facilitate a multi-family development. 

Delegation:

1. Lois Powell.

Recommendation: That:

1. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.246" (to rezone 2367 Arbot Road from Commercial Recreation Centre [CC6] to Low Density Residential [R6] with a site-specific height and lot coverage) pass first reading;
2. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.246" pass second reading;
3. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.246" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to secure the conditions related to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.246" as outlined in the "Conditions of Rezoning" section of the Staff Report titled "Rezoning Application No. RA512 - 2367 Arbot Road" dated 2025-OCT-20 prior to final adoption.

d.

Rezoning Application No. RA518 - 3614 Hillside Avenue

Purpose: To present Council with an application to rezone 3614 Hillside Avenue from Three and Four Unit Residential (R5) to Low Density Residential (R6) with a site-specific density and height to allow a multi-family residential development.

Recommendation: That:

1. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.244" (to rezone 3614 Hillside Avenue from Three and Four Unit Residential [R5] to Low Density Residential [R6] with a site-specific density and height) pass first reading;
2. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.244" pass second reading;
3. "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.244" pass third reading; and,
4. Council direct Staff to secure the conditions related to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.244" as outlined in the "Conditions of Rezoning" section of the Staff Report titled "Rezoning Application No. RA518 - 3614 Hillside Avenue" dated 2025-OCT-20 prior to final adoption.

14.

BYLAWS:

a.

"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7159.25"

That "Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7159.25" be adopted.

b.

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7426"

That "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7426" be adopted.

c.

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7427"

That "Housing Agreement Bylaw 2025 No. 7427" be adopted.

15.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.

Mid Vancouver Island Elder College Society Request for Letter of Support re: Community Gaming Grant

16.

NOTICE OF MOTION:

17.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a.

Councillor Armstrong Motion re: Consulting with Emergency Services Agencies Regarding Traffic Calming and Road Changes

At the 2025-OCT-06 Regular Council Meeting, Councillor Armstrong provided notice that she would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration:

"That Council direct Staff to engage with RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, Nanaimo Fire Rescue Department, and BC Transit prior to any traffic calming or road changes. It is requested each department speak with the drivers of said agencies to ensure their concerns are heard and furthermore any comments received by these agencies be included for Mayor and Council review."

18.

QUESTION PERIOD:

19.

ADJOURNMENT: