May 26, 2025 Regular Council Summary

Rise and Report

Kait McGeary, Landscape Architect, and Jessica Kaman were appointed to the Design Advisory Panel.
Section 7a,b

Presentations

Members of the Nanaimo Fiddle Society performed a song to commemorate Nanaimo Fiddle Week held May 11-17, 2025.
Section 8a

Mayor Krog presented City of Nanaimo employee Allison Schneider (Recreation Coordinator – Arenas) with the Recreation Facilities Association of BC’s Joyce Fordyce Facility Programming Award. The award recognizes and celebrates individuals who excel in delivering impactful programming within recreation facilities.
Section 8b

Committee Recommendations

Recommendations from the May 21, 2025 Finance and Audit Committee meeting:

• Council increased the 2026 budget for the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre HVAC Equipment Upgrades project by $6,740,951.
• Council increased the budget for the Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) project by $1,900,000.
• Council directed staff to prioritize the funding necessary to sustain services at the Nanaimo Curling Club, including a new roof and suitable surface to support ice, while investigating additional programming options for the facility.
• Council approved a total of $20,000 in 2025 Community Watershed Restoration Grants as follows:
  • Nanaimo Area Land Trust - $4,166 (Project: Maintenance of Beaver Dam to Secure Flows)
  • Wellington Action Committee - $3,800 (Project: Diver Lake Western Painted Turtle Protection)
  • Pacific Garden Co-Housing - $7,034 (Project: Habitat Restoration Project-Chase River)
  • Wildcoast Ecological Society - $5,000 (Project: East Wellington Park’s Ecosystem Restoration and Wildlife Education Program)
• Council approved a total of $20,000 in 2025 Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grants as follows:
  • Broombusters Invasive Plant Society - $2,000 (Project: Nanaimo Parkway Broom Removal 2025)
  • Frank J Ney Parent Advisory Committee - $5,000 (Project: FJN Elementary Outdoor Classroom)
  • Nanaimo Area Land Trust and Friends of Cottle Creek - $5,000 (Project: Monitoring Riparian Forest Health in Linley Valley)
  • Nanaimo Area Cycling Coalition Society - $1,000 (Project: Cycle in Nanaimo)
  • Nanaimo Science - $1,500 (Project: Science in the Park)
  • Nanaimo Climate Action Hub - $3,000 (Project: Nanaimo Climate Action and Solutions Expo)
  • School District 68: Departure Bay Elementary School - $2,500 (Project: Phase 2 of Wardropper Park Improvements)

Reports

A Development Variance Permit was issued for 110 Fry Street, to allow for an overheight combined retaining wall and fence.
Section 12a

An application to rezone 335 Third Street, to facilitate a multi-family development, passed three readings. As part of the conditions to be secured, Council directed staff to have 10% of the Community Amenity Contribution be used toward remediation of the Cat Stream. Council also directed staff to have driveway access restricted from the property on Wharton Street and Georgia Ave.
Section 12b

Council directed staff to proceed with public notification prior to considering a Covenant Amendment Application for 1179 Seafield Crescent at a future Council meeting.
Section 12c

Council directed staff to commission a new design for the letter “O” on the Nanaimo sign at Maffeo Sutton Park and explore options for establishing an annual public design call for future years.
Section 12d

"Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.235" (a bylaw to amend the landscape regulations and to replace DPA8 design guidelines) passed two readings and Council endorsed the City’s new Form and Character Design Guidelines.
Section 12e

"Off-Street Parking Regulations Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 7266.04" (to eliminate minimum parking requirements in the Downtown Urban Centre) passed two readings.
Section 12f

Other Business

Future updates to Council from Tourism Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation and the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization will take place on a semi-annual, rather than a quarterly, basis.
Section 16a

Motions regarding the development of Loudon Park were postponed indefinitely with Council referring the matter back to staff to provide a range of options for the park’s development.
Section 16b

May 26, 2025 Regular Council meeting - agenda, documents and video