REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: January 31, 2018 Report No. DEV-18-008
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
City of Victoria’s referral of proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and Amendments to the City of Victoria’s Official Community Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council instruct staff to notify the City of Victoria that the Township of Esquimalt supports the proposed amendments to the City’s Official Community Plan and, subject to a few minor comments as set out in Staff Report DEV-18-008, the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Local Government Act
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This is not directly related to any strategic priority.
BACKGROUND:
Schedule A: Referral Letter from the City of Victoria;
Schedule B: Proposed amendments to the City of Victoria’s Official Community Plan;
Schedule C: Proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan.
The City of Victoria has circulated the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and the concomitant amendments to their Official Community Plan to Esquimalt for review and comment. Staff have reviewed both the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and the proposed amendments to the City’s Official Community Plan and recommends that Council direct staff to notify the City of Victoria that the Township supports the proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and, subject to consideration of the following comments, supports the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan:
- The Township of Esquimalt Council thanks the City of Victoria for referring both the proposed Official Community Plan amendments and the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan to the Township for review;
- The Township supports increased density along Esquimalt Road as proposed in the Vic West Neighbourhood Plan. This is consistent with Esquimalt’s Official Community Plan.
- The Township supports in principle, subject to its economic feasibility, the return of rail service to the E & N rail corridor as per the Vic West Neighbourhood Plan.
- The Township strongly supports the maintenance of all employment lands, particularly those of an industrial nature. In particular, the Township is promoting ship repair and fitting - an activity that is enhanced by similar activities in Vic West.
- The Township is concerned about the vacant site at 760 Esquimalt Road (former gas station). This site is located at the east entrance to Esquimalt along Esquimalt Road. The Township aspires to eventually to have this entrance featured as a gateway to the community. It also serves as a gateway to Vic West from the west. Council requests that the City of Victoria consider identifying this location as a gateway in the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and work with the Township of Esquimalt to coordinate urban design guidelines that celebrate the reciprocal gateway nature of this area.
- Council notes that while the Vic West Neighbourhood Plan considers potential impacts of sea level rise, it does not seem to consider the potential impacts of Tsunamis. The Township is increasingly considering the potential impact of Tsunamis in its planning and development decision making processes.
- The Township hopes that the current bonds between it and Vic West will be strengthened as a result of the various initiatives outlined in the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and the concomitant amendments to the City’s Official Community Plan will not likely have any negative impacts on the Township, and in fact, will likely be beneficial to the Township.
2. Organizational Implications
The proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and concomitant amendments to the City’s Official Community Plan will not have any organizational implications.
3. Financial Implications
The proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan and concomitant amendments to the City’s Official Community Plan will not have any significant direct financial implications.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
The Vic West Neighbourhood plan includes provisions to improve transit and non-motorized modes of transportation. The benefits of these initiatives will likely spill over into Esquimalt.
5. Communication & Engagement
As this is a City of Victoria initiative, the City is responsible for communications and engagement.
ALTERNATIVES:
1) That Council instruct staff to notify the City of Victoria that the Township of Esquimalt supports the proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and, subject to a few minor comments, the Vic West Neighbourhood Plan.
2) That Council instruct staff to notify the City of Victoria that the Township of Esquimalt does not support the proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan nor does it support the proposed Vic West Neighbourhood Plan.