Council Minutes - May 18, 2023

1. TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

M. Watmough, Deputy Director of Corporate Services, read the City of Langford's Territorial Acknowledgment.

2. CALL TO ORDER

Acting Mayor L. Szpak called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOVED BY: GUIRY
SECONDED: WAGNER
THAT Council approve the agenda as presented.
Motion CARRIED.

4. PRESENTATIONS

4.1 Strategic Plan - James Ridge

James Ridge presented to Council a summary of the City of Langford's Strategic Plan.

4.2 Building Cities Better - Brent Toderian

Brent Toderian presented to Council a summary of the City of Langford's Building Cities Better Plan.

5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

• Greg, Florence Lake Rd - Expressed disappointment with the tax increase.
• R. Hobbs, Luxton Rd - re: item 4.2 - Expressed concern regarding the removal of trees in their neighbourhood. Expressed concern regarding the building of tall concrete building, next to residential homes.
• R. Louie, Bellamy Rd - re: item 7.1 - Expressed disappointment that the strategic plan was not in place prior to the budget release. Expressed that they would like input from the community partners, such as SD62. Expressed approval regarding keeping the trolleys. Expressed a need for more bus services to more areas. Expressed a desire for more public input in regard to the strategic plan. Expressed a desire to have a partnership with the indigenous community.
• W. Hobbs, Luxton Rd - re: item 4.1 - Expressed a desire to have more community engagement regarding the strategic plan.
• L. Foxall, Players Dr - re: item 4.2 - Expressed approval to increasing density in the downtown core. Expressed concern regarding remarks about less cars, more bike lanes, and less EV vehicles. Expressed concern regarding the removal of SUV and trucks in the area. Expressed concern about removing public input regarding development. Expressed concern regarding multiple public input avenues versus one place, that has already been in place. Expressed concern about politics being brought into the building better cities plan.
• M. Sunshine, Langvista Dr - re: 4.1 and 4.2 - Expressed approval to the use of consultants. Expressed a desire that Council will take the advice from the consultants. re: item 7.1 - Expressed approval of the early guidance process. Expressed a desire for Council to continue to be bold in their decisions.
• S. Costello, Robalee Pl - re: items 4.1, 4.2 and 7.1 - Expressed support for a refresh to the Official Community Plan. Expressed a desire for more public input.
• S. Plank, Goldstream Ave - re: items 4.1, 4.2 and 7.1 - Expressed a desire for more public engagement regarding the strategic plan. Expressed support for the early guidance for the developers. Expressed a concern regarding the setbacks for buildings. Expressed support for more greenspace.
• Nicholas Johal, Walfred Pl - re: items 4.1 and 4.2 - Expressed concern regarding removing SUVS and trucks from the area. Expressed concern regarding alternative transportation modes. Expressed concern regarding the cost of maintaining bike lanes.
• K. Awram, Finlayson Arm Rd - re: items 4.1 and 4.2 - Expressed approval of a strategic plan. Expressed a desire for climate change mitigation. Expressed approval for an urban tree management plan. Expressed approval for a construction management policy. Expressed a desire for public engagement and transparency. Expressed concern regarding pre-zoning and the need for public input.
• W. Hobbs, Luxton Rd - re: item 7.1 - Expressed approval for the good neighbour clause in the report. Expressed a desire for bylaw enforcement on construction sites and to monitor businesses.

6. ADOPTION OF COUNCIL MINUTES

6.1 Minutes of the Special Council Meeting - May 1, 2023

MOVED BY: GUIRY
SECONDED: WAGNER
THAT Council approve the minutes of the meeting of Special Council held on May 1, 2023.
Motion CARRIED.

6.2 Minutes of the Council Meeting - May 1, 2023

MOVED BY: YACUCHA
SECONDED: MORLEY
THAT Council approve the minutes of the meeting of Council held on May 1, 2023.
Motion CARRIED.

6.3 Minutes of the Special Council Meeting - May 8, 2023

MOVED BY: GUIRY
SECONDED: WAGNER
THAT Council approve the minutes of the meeting of Special Council held on May 8, 2023.
Motion CARRIED.

7. REPORTS

7.1 Early Guidance for Development Connected to the Strategic Plan Update

MOVED BY: YACUCHA
SECONDED: GUIRY
THAT Council support in principle the following interim measure to provide Early Guidance for development applications:

1. HIGH QUALITY GROWTH AND DENSITY:
   Council’s intention is to support growth with an emphasis on successful urban community-building, while increasingly emphasizing the quality of new higher density development, particularly in the context of livability, sustainability, affordability, and development viability. The achievement of high-quality urban density will emphasize urban design and architectural design that results in engaging street-level activation and vibrancy, and an ambitious street tree canopy. Where taller buildings are proposed, floor plates should be relatively slim and well separated to avoid the individual or cumulative effects of excessive upper-floor massing.

In addition to design quality, considerations of high-quality urban density should include, where beneficial and viable, some or all of the following:

• Amenities supporting livability/quality of urban life at the building, block, and neighbourhood scale.
• Integration of existing mature, viable site trees where feasible relative to tree location, site conditions, development viability and other public interest considerations.
• Consideration of relative affordability opportunities.
• Inclusion of 2–3-bedroom apartments for families as well as other family supports such as in-suite storage, in-building amenities etc.
• Green design opportunities relative to architectural design and sustainable energy sources over-and-above City requirements.
• Avoidance of excessive vehicle parking, and strategic provision of enhanced supports for alternatives to vehicle ownership and use, including diverse urban biking options, walking, public transit use and carshare.
• Strategic supports in housing and mobility for accessibility.

2. LESS IMPACTFUL, MORE LIVABLE CONSTRUCTION:
   To mitigate the construction impacts of medium and high-density growth on existing neighbours and neighbourhoods in a rapidly and continuously changing city, applications should propose and implement a well-considered “good neighbour commitment” that reflects established high-quality practice in maintaining urban livability during construction.

Motion CARRIED.

7.2 Strata Title Conversion of Commercial Building at 2826 Bryn Maur Road

MOVED BY: YACUCHA
SECONDED: MORLEY
THAT Council:

1. Resolve to wind up the existing strata and authorize the signature of necessary documents to wind up Strata VIS3403;

AND
2. Endorse the legal plan to create Strata Plan EPS8823 at 2826 Bryn Maur Road; subject to receiving confirmation from an Architect that the existing building substantially complies with the building regulations within the meaning of the Building Act.
Motion CARRIED.

7.3 Jordie Lunn Bike Park Clubhouse TUP

MOVED BY: WAGNER
SECONDED: YACUCHA
THAT Council direct staff to provide notice that Council will consider issuing a Temporary Use Permit for a period of three years for property located at 2990 and 2992 Irwin Rd, to allow for the following uses:
i. Office; and
ii. Retail Store.

AND
THAT Council direct staff to bring forward an omnibus amendment to Zoning Bylaw No. 300 to rezone the property at 2990 Irwin Road to reflect the uses permitted in the TUP.
Motion CARRIED.

8. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: GUIRY
SECONDED: YACUCHA
THAT Council adjourn the meeting.

Acting Mayor L. Szpak adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m.
Motion CARRIED.

Presiding Council Member

Certified Correct - Corporate Officer