February 2, 2026 Regular Council Summary

Presentations

Dr. Dennis Johnson, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor for Vancouver Island University (VIU), provided Council with an update regarding VIU.
Section 8a

Committee Recommendations

Council accepted the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness 2025 Annual Report.
Section 10a

Council directed staff to prepare a new zoning bylaw for the City, as outlined in the staff report “Zoning Bylaw Update” and to proceed with stakeholder engagement prior to bringing forward a draft bylaw for Council to consider.
Section 10.b.1

Council directed staff to undertake community engagement seeking feedback on the proposed pre-zoning for social housing project, and to prepare amendments to the City’s zoning bylaw and officer designation and delegation of authority bylaw in relation to the project.
Section 10.b.2

Delegations

Tracey Brown, CEO of the Nanaimo Foundation, presented Council with an overview of the 2025 Vital Signs report.
Section 11a

Joanne Sales spoke on behalf of Broombusters Invasive Plant Society regarding volunteer opportunities and wildfire prevention.  
Section 11b

Susan Ormiston spoke regarding neighbourhood noise concerns from car wash air dryers.
Section 11d

Administrative Reports

Council authorized the Mayor to issue a letter of support for a $30,000 Supplemental Grant Application to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to fund ongoing training and operational expenses for the Nanaimo Acute Response Table.
Section 12a

Council allocated $50,000 in funding towards crosswalk improvements at Townsite Road and Holly Avenue and referred a motion to allocate $350,000 in funding for a roundabout at Hammond Bay Road and Brickyard Road to the Public Safety Committee for review.
Section 12c

“Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7389.02” (To amend the 2025 – 2029 Financial Plan) passed three readings.
Section 12d

"Business Licence Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7318.03" (To introduce amendments to update sections pertaining to mobile food vending regulations and processes and other housekeeping amendments) passed three readings.
Section 12e

Council approved Licence of Use Agreements for a Telus-owned 63-meter telecommunications tower at 1151 Nanaimo Lakes Road and for two Telus-owned 15-meter telecommunications streetlight/antenna poles to be located on the east side of Turner Road and Island Highway North. Council also directed staff to provide a letter of concurrence to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada for the facilities.
Sections 12f,g, 13a,b

Council issued a development variance permit for 4834 Shorecliff Point, to allow for overheight fencing on existing retaining walls.
Section 13c

Council will be recommending that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch approve the application for a liquor primary licence at Unit 2 – 4286 Departure Bay Road.
Section 13e

A Housing Agreement Bylaw for 355 Nicol Street, securing the terms and conditions of occupancy for a 35-unit supportive housing building, passed three readings.
Section 13f

Bylaw Updates

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2026, No. 7437" was adopted.
Section 14a

"Housing Agreement Bylaw 2026, No. 7446" was adopted.
Section 14b

Correspondence

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be providing a letter of support to the Chase River Community Association for their grant application to the “Canadian Heritage - Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Fund".
Section 15a