August 31, 2020 Regular Council Summary

Presentations to Council

Mayor Krog introduced Dr. Mike Benusic, Medical Health Officer from Island Health who provided Council with updates on public health emergencies – COVID-19 and Overdose epidemic – and discussed how governments can work together to address these matters.

Watch the Medical Health Officer at Council under Presentations (section 8, a).

The Province’s Office of Crime Reduction and Gang Outreach (OCR-GO) oversees Situation Tables. According to their website: “Situation Tables (also known as Hubs) help front line staff from the public safety, health, and social service sectors to identify vulnerable people and collaboratively and rapidly connect them to services before they experience a negative or traumatic event (e.g. victimization, overdose, eviction, etc.). Situation Tables empower agencies to reduce a broad range of risks that can impact a person’s well being and safety.”

Sheila Malcolmson, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Nanaimo with the Province, provided a presentation regarding situation tables. She also noted in her letter that in order for a Situation Table to be established in the City, Nanaimo RCMP and City Council must be in support of it.

Motion from Council: That the City of Nanaimo organize a meeting for Solicitor General Ministry staff to present the situation table model to the Nanaimo-based agencies and non-profits that might form Nanaimo’s situation table; and that a letter of general support be provided for the concept of establishing a Situation Table in Nanaimo and any associated grant opportunities.
Section 8, a

You can watch MLA Malcolmson’s presentation under Delegations (section 11, a).

Development Around Nanaimo

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP404 - 905 Hecate Street
Council issued Development Variance Permit No. DVP404 to 905 Hecate Street with the following variances in support of an addition to the existing daycare:

• to reduce the minimum front yard setback from 6.0m to 4.2m; and
• to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces from 14 spaces to 0 spaces

Section 12, a

Covenant Amendment Application No. CA12 - 497 Menzies Ridge Drive
Council directed Staff to proceed with a Public Hearing for covenant amendment application No. CA12 at 497 Menzies Ridge Drive, which proposes to increase the maximum permitted number of residential dwelling units from 10 units to 22 units.
Section 12, b

Please note: Items 12 c to 12 f passed first, second and third readings. They will be adopted at the September 14, 2020 Council Meeting.

Housing Agreement No. HA2 - 326 Wakesiah Avenue
Council approved first, second and third readings; “Housing Agreement Bylaw 2020 No. 7313” (To authorize a housing agreement for student housing at 326 Wakesiah Avenue) and direct Staff to register a covenant to reinforce the terms of the Housing Agreement.
Section 12, c

Housing Agreement No. HA3 - 20 Barsby Avenue
Council approved first, second and third readings for “Housing Agreement Bylaw 2020 No. 7314” (To authorize a housing agreement to prevent any future restrictions on the rental of individual units at 20 Barsby Avenue) and direct Staff to register a covenant to reinforce the terms of the Housing Agreement. 
Section 12, d

Rezoning Application No. RA454 - 5485 and 5495 Godfrey Road
Council approved first, second and third readings for “Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2020 No. 4500.181” (To rezone 5485 and 5495 Godfrey Road from Single Dwelling Residential [R1] to Low Density Residential [R6]) and directed Staff to secure the road dedication Section 219 covenant with condition of one driveway access and lot consolidation and a community contribution prior to the adoption of the bylaw, should Council support the bylaw at third reading.
Section 12, e

Proposed Bylaw Amendments to "Subdivision Control Bylaw 1989 No. 3260" Schedule 'A' - The Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications
Council approved the first, second and third readings for “Subdivision Control Amendment Bylaw 2020 No. 3260.05” and update the Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications from Edition No. 12 to Edition No. 13.
Section 12, f

BC Housing Navigation Centre 
Council authorized the Mayor to provide a letter of support to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the City of Nanaimo’s interest in hosting a navigation centre in Nanaimo for people who are experiencing homelessness that involves an agreement with Island Health to provide an adequate level of ‘integrated clinical health supports’.
Section 12, g

Grant Application Opportunity Under Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
Council endorsed the Artificial Turf Field Harewood Centennial Park project as the project for staff to submit a grant application to under the Community, Culture and Recreation Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Council commits to funding $1.19 million of the project.

The Community, Culture, and Recreation Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program provides up to 73.33% funding for eligible project costs. Council has committed to funding $1.19 million of the project. The City may submit one application. 
Section 12, h

Adopted Bylaws

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2019 No. 4500.141
Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2019 No. 4500.141 (To rezone 25 Front Street to allow "Cannabis Retail Store" as a site-specific use in the Gateway [DT5] Zone) was adopted.
Section 13, a

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2020 No. 4500.172
Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2020 No. 4500.172 (To rezone 200 Hansen Road from Low Density Residential [R6] and Residential Corridor [COR1] to Medium Density Residential [R8]) was adopted.
Section 13, b

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2020 No 4500.178
Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2020 No. 4500.178 (To rezone 1840 Stewart Avenue to allow "Cannabis Retail Store" as a site-specific use in the Harbour Waterfront Zone [W2]) was adopted.
Section 13, c

August 31, 2020 Regular Council Meeting – agenda, documents and video