July 7, 2025 Regular Council Summary

Rise and Report

Andrea Dillingham-Lacoursiere was appointed as a member-at-large to the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness.
Section 7a

Michael Armstrong, Eliza Gardiner and Peter S. Petralia were appointed to the Nanaimo Performing Arts Guild.
Section 7b

Dusan Nikolic was appointed as the Architectural Institute of British Columbia representative to the Design Advisory Panel.
Section 7c

Committee Recommendations

Recommendation from the June 18, 2025 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

Council approved $300,000 in funding from the 2025 Pedestrian Unallocated budget for raised crosswalks at:

• Townsite Road at St. Patrick's Crescent
• Portsmouth Road at Applecross Road
• Waddington Road at Dufferin Crescent

Section 10a

Recommendations from the June 23, 2025 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting:

Council directed staff to:

• Begin a phased process to draft a bylaw that prohibits the sale and distribution of specific species on the Invasive Plant Council of BC lists within City limits;
• Partner with local garden retailers and community organizations on a public awareness campaign to promote awareness about native and non-invasive alternatives and the proper disposal of plant waste; and,
• Update Nanaimo’s Invasive Plant Management Strategy and resource materials and continue to fund community and Staff participation in the long-term reduction of invasive plants. Include updated action plans to strategically look at sites for removal and restoration plantings.

Section 10b

Council selected a “moderate investment” scenario (Scenario 2 from this staff report) for the Development Cost Charge (DCC) update, and Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) program. Council also directed staff to proceed with:

• Public engagement, including consultation with relevant stakeholders;
• An economic impact assessment of the proposed DCC and ACC rates;
• Preparation of a DCC bylaw and Fire Protection and Police Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund bylaws;
• Preparation of an ACC bylaw and ACC Reserve Fund bylaw;
• Preparation of a Local Area Transportation DCC bylaw for South Nanaimo and South Nanaimo Transportation Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund bylaw; and
• Preparation of a DCC and ACC Waivers and Reductions bylaw to provide an incentive for the development of not-for-profit rental housing and supportive housing.

Council also allocated $125,000 from the Special Initiatives Reserve to fund additional consultant work to support the economic impact assessment.

Section 11a

Recommendations from the June 27, 2025 Special District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Committee meeting:

• That the City of Nanaimo Council and the Regional District of Nanaimo Board authorize a renewal of the District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Services Agreement for a 20-year term.
• That the Terms of Reference for the Special District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Committee Terms of Reference be updated pending renewal of the District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Services Agreement.
• That Council support broadening the Civic Sports Merit Awards and Arts and Culture Merit Awards program to allow for individuals and organizations from Electoral Areas A (Cassidy, Cedar, Yellow Point and South Wellington), B (Gabriola, Mudge and Decourcy Islands), C (Extension, Arrowsmith Benson, East Wellington and Pleasant Valley) and the District of Lantzville to be eligible for awards, subject to District of Lantzville Council and Regional District of Nanaimo Board approval.

Section 10c

Reports

A Development Variance Permit was issued for 4286 Departure Bay Road, to allow two freestanding canopy signs to project above the upper edge of the canopy and increase the maximum allowable sign height of two signs on an existing gas bar.
Section 13a

An application to rezone 3397 Tunnah Road, to facilitate a multi-family development, passed three readings.
Section 13b

Council will provide a recommendation to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to approve a liquor primary licence at Unit 205 – 2000 Island Highway North.
Section 13c

"Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7393.01" (a bylaw to address housekeeping amendments) passed three readings.
Section 13d

Barbara Thomas was appointed as a Deputy Approving Officer.
Section 13e

Bylaw Updates

"Off-Street Parking Regulations Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7266.04" (to eliminate minimum parking requirements in the Downtown Urban Centre) was adopted.
Section 14a

July 7, 2025 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video