September 21, 2026 Regular Council Summary

Committee Recommendation

Recommendation from the September 9, 2026 Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness:

Council directed staff to conduct a further review of the LEAP program, prepare a scope of work and explore expanding the review to incorporate broader barriers to Parks, Recreation and Culture programs and services.
Section 10a

Delegations

Gerald Halabura, Executive Director of Literacy Central Vancouver Island, spoke regarding the significance of International Literacy Day and the work of Literacy Central Vancouver Island.
Section 11a

Jenny Garceau, Canadian Mental Health Association of Mid-Island Branch, spoke regarding prohibiting the sale of continuous flame butane lighters or micro-torches.
Section 11b

Steve Arnett, Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre, spoke regarding the proposed Housing Agreement between the City of Nanaimo and Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Society and their request for a Permissive Tax Exemption.
Section 11c

Bill McKay spoke regarding the use and storage of radio controlled boats at Loudon Park.
Section 11d

Administrative Reports

A Housing Agreement Bylaw for 626 Haliburton Street, to secure an affordable rental rate for a single residential dwelling at 626 Haliburton Street operated by Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Society, passed three readings.
Section 12a

“Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 2026, No. 7460” (a bylaw to exempt certain land and buildings from taxation) was amended to include Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Society. The bylaw then passed three readings.
Section 12b

Council directed staff to work with the Old City Quarter Association to establish a business improvement area, as a Council initiative, for a term of five years starting in 2027.
Section 12c

Council rescinded third reading of “City of Nanaimo Development Cost Charge Bylaw 2026, No. 7438”, replaced Schedule B with a revised schedule, and then gave third reading as amended.
Section 12d

“Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 7224.08” (to remove City of Nanaimo specific fire sprinkler requirements and references to Land Use Contracts) passed three readings.
Section 12e

Development Reports

A Development Variance Permit was issued for 24 Thirteenth Street, to reduce the minimum lot depth requirement for two lots within a proposed four-lot subdivision.
Section 13a

Council abandoned “Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2024 No. 4500.232” (to rezone 1415 Loat Street from Three and Four Unit Residential [R5] to Row House Residential [R7], to facilitate a multi‑family residential development).
Section 13b

A Development Variance Permit was issued for Unit 143-25 Maki Road, for the construction of a carport encroaching into the front and rear yard setbacks for an existing mobile home.
Section 13c

A Housing Agreement Bylaw for 250 Bryden Street, to secure the terms and conditions of affordable units within a 50-unit personal care facility, passed three readings.
Section 13d

An application to rezone 1136, 1146, 1158 and 1166 Seafield Crescent and 1135 Dufferin Crescent, to facilitate a proposed medical office development, passed two readings. Council directed staff to hold a Public Hearing for the proposed development and to discharge covenant EH122683 from the property title of 1135 Dufferin Crescent.
Section 13e

An application to rezone 4545, 4549 and 4559 Hammond Bay Road, to allow an existing non-conforming three-unit residential strata with secondary suites, passed three readings.
Section 13f

A Development Permit was issued for 2240 Northfield Road, to allow for a proposed multi-family residential development.
Section 13g

Bylaw Updates

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 4500.236" was adopted.
Section 14a

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.255" was adopted.
Section 14b

"Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256" was adopted.
Section 14c

Correspondence and Other Business

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will be providing a letter of support to Oceanside Minor Hockey Association for their application to host the BC Hockey U13 Female Championship.
Section 15a

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will provide a letter of support to Nanaimo City Football Club for their application to the Community Involvement Fund.
Section 15b

A motion requesting the Mayor to write to Premier Eby, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Housing requesting a province-wide ban on continuous flame lighters using the rationale and examples provided by the delegation from the Canadian Mental Health Association was deferred to a future Council meeting.
Section 15c

September 21, 2026 Regular Council meeting – agenda, documents and video