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Public Hearings

What is a Public Hearing?

A Public Hearing is a part of Council’s review when applications are made to change the City’s Official Community Plan or Zoning Bylaw. A Public Hearing is the primary means for the public to present their views to Council on the item(s) contained in that evening’s Public Hearing agenda. The Public Hearing is a formal opportunity for Council to hear from the public. The purpose is not for Council to discuss and debate the topic.

See the Public Hearing Information Sheet for more information regarding Public Hearings at the City of Nanaimo.

Upcoming Public Hearings

Public Hearing Date: July 16, 2026

Please read the “How Can I Participate” section below for more information on how to participate the upcoming public hearing.

Bylaw No.Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.255
Location and Time of Public Hearing:

Shaw Auditorium at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre at 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC at 7:00 p.m.

File No.

RA000536

Addresses:

2180 Highland Boulevard

Purpose of Proposed Bylaw:

The purpose of Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.255 is to amend “Zoning Bylaw 2011 No. 4500” as follows:

  • To allow a Cannabis Retail Store as a site-specific use in the existing Neighbourhood Centre (CC2) zone. 

    Attachments:

    Notice of Public Hearing Bylaw No. 4500.255

    Staff Report to Council

    Staff Report attachments

    School and Daycare Map

    Site Plan

    Floor Plan

    Building Elevations

    Letter of Rationale

    Letter of Support

    Bylaw 4500.255

     

    Bylaw No.Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256
    Location and Time of Public Hearing:

    Shaw Auditorium at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre at 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC at 7:00 p.m.

    File No.

    N/A

    Addresses:

    N/A

    Purpose of Proposed Bylaw:

    The purpose of Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256 is to amend “Zoning Bylaw 2011 No. 4500” as follows:

    • To introduce a new Social Housing Zone, that incentives the development of social housing by allowing an increase in density and building height when social housing is provided on eligible parcels (as defined in the Bylaw).
    • Social housing means a Multiple Family Dwelling with Dwelling Units that are subsidized to be lower than the average cost of market housing. Individuals and families live independently with no on-site supports. Social housing excludes supportive housing and shelters.
    • To introduce ‘conditions of use’ within the Social Housing Zone that must be met and provisions relating to the following: i) permitted uses; ii) lot size and dimensions; iii) setbacks for siting of buildings; iv) regulations for the size of buildings; v) off-street parking; and vi) provision of amenity areas.

     

    For more information about the project visit the Pre-Zoning for Social Housing Project page:

    https://www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca/prezoning-social-housing

    OR https://www.nanaimo.ca/your-government/projects/pre-zoning-for-social-housing

      Attachments:

      Notice of Public Hearing Bylaw No. 4500.256

      2026-JAN-26 Governance and Priorities Committee Staff Report - Pre-Zoning for Social Housing

      2026-JUN-25 Council Staff Report – Pre-Zoning for Social Housing

      Pre-Zoning for Social Housing Survey

      Architectural Testing For Pre-Zoning For Social Housing

      Pre-Zoning Approaches for Affordable Housing - Jurisdictional Scan and Discussion

      Pre-Zoning for Social Housing - Engagement Summary

      Bylaw No. 4500.256

       

      Bylaw No.Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.257
      Location and Time of Public Hearing:

      Shaw Auditorium at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre at 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC at 7:00 p.m.

      File No.

      N/A

      Addresses:

      N/A

      Purpose of Proposed Bylaw:

      The purpose of Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.257 is to amend “Zoning Bylaw 2011 No. 4500” as follows:

      • To allow certain zoning provisions to apply based on the lot area and dimensions prior to road dedication required by a Servicing Officer.

        Attachments:

        Notice of Public Hearing Bylaw No. 4500.257

        Staff Report to Council

        Bylaw 4500.257

        How Can I Participate?

        1. You can submit your comments online, by email to public.hearing@nanaimo.ca, or in person or by mail to the City of Nanaimo, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 0E4 (attn: Current Planning). In your submission, please note the bylaw number and your position of support or opposition for the proposal. The deadline for submissions is 2:00 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting when the Public Hearing will take place.
        2. Watch the livestream of the public hearing at the link below. 
        3. Call the Public Hearing Hot Line (250-755-4455) during the meeting (see details below).
        4. Attend in-person at the Public Hearing, held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, at 7:00 p.m. 

         

        Click here to view the Public Hearing agenda and watch the live feed. The livestream will become available once the meeting has started. This meeting will be livestreamed only. No recording will be available afterward.

        To Call-In During the Public Hearing:

        • Watch the meeting livestream and call in when the item you wish to speak to is being presented. Note, there will be up to a 60 second delay in the livestream. 
        • Call in using the phone number (250-755-4455) displayed onscreen during the meeting. You will be put on hold until it's your turn to speak. 
        • Calls will be answered in the order they are received.
        • When it's your turn to speak, staff will unmute your call and announce that you are the next speaker.
        • State your name and address and the item you are speaking to. You will be given three minutes to speak and your comments must be relevant to the item being considered.
        • Please mute all audio devices of the live meeting while you are speaking on the phone to prevent feedback. Do not put your phone on speaker phone.

        Public Hearing Documents

        See agendas, minutes and reports for past and upcoming Public Hearings

        See written submissions from previous Public Hearings

        See the Public Hearing Process Policy

        Contact Us

        Current Planning Section
        250-755-4429 ext. 4509
        planning@nanaimo.ca

        Last updated: July 2, 2026

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