Consent Items
Council invited Donna Hais to present to Council regarding the Healthcare Ecosystem Advocacy Group.
The City’s Development Procedures and Notification Bylaw will be updated to include the following:
- amendments to the Official Community Plan and/or Zoning Bylaw will require a 100 metre notification distance (up from the previous requirement of 10 meters)
- a public information meeting will be required for amendments to the Official Community Plan and/or Zoning Bylaw and significant development permits with variances.
Proposed amendments to the Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw were deferred to a future Governance and Priorities Committee meeting for further discussion.
Council directed staff to conduct assessment audits on the following parks, trails and open spaces in 2024/2025 to identify potential accessibility improvements:
- Westwood Lake Trail System
- Oliver Woods Park grounds
- Neck Point Park
- Stadium District
- Harewood Centennial Park
- Beaufort Park
- Bowen Park grounds adjacent to the Bowen complex
- Waterfront Walkway
Delegations
Dan Hula spoke regarding City of Nanaimo decision making.
Reports
A development variance permit was issued for Units 102 and 104 at 2517 Bowen Road to increase the maximum permitted gross floor area for retail use within the existing building.
Council directed staff to review the City’s Business Licence Bylaw, Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw and present amendments to improve short-term rental compliance and enforcement tools, including increasing the fines from $250 to $500 per infraction, per day.
Council rescinded third reading of the zoning amendment bylaw and land use contract discharge bylaw related to a rezoning application for 444, 450, 500 Comox Road, 55 Mill Street, and 1 Terminal Avenue. The application will be scheduled for an upcoming Public Hearing (date to be determined).
“Housing Legacy Reserve Fund Establishing Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 7299.01” (to clarify the purpose for which the fund was established) passed three readings and the January 2011 Policy COU-187 (Housing Legacy Reserve – Funding Allocation Criteria) was rescinded. The improved criteria in the bylaw will ensure transparency for the use of Housing Legacy Reserve funds.
“Online Accommodation Platform Reserve Fund Bylaw 2024 No. 7374” (to establish an Online Accommodation Platform Reserve Fund) passed three readings.
Other Business
Council will be providing a letter of support for a National Strategy on Brain Injuries which will be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, MP Alistair MacGregor, federal Minister of Health Mark Holland and Nanaimo MP Lisa Marie Baron.
Council will be providing a letter of support to Surfrider Foundation Canada for their grant application to the Clean Coast Clean Waters Initiative.
Council directed staff to close the Beaufort Pickleball courts on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday in response to correspondence received from neighbours in the area.