Mike Palmer

The Victoria Housing Strategy is a guiding document designed to ensure all residents have homes that meet their needs at an affordable cost. It focuses on improving affordability and choice for renters, increasing overall housing supply, encouraging a range of housing options, continuously tracking progress to refine policies, and implementing bold new ideas. The strategy is action-oriented and is regularly evaluated through annual reviews to address current and future housing needs within the community.

The Council meeting involved a territorial acknowledgement and a poetry reading. Members of the public addressed the Council regarding various topics, including a request for the City to support legal action against fossil-fuel companies to recover climate costs, the success of the Clover Point Community Sauna project, the importance of inclusive youth recreational spaces, workplace issues in the Bylaw Department, the conflict in Palestine, and transparency concerns regarding public funding and governance. Additionally, the Council held public hearings for heritage designation applications for properties at 646 Fisgard Street, 1466 Gladstone Avenue, and 2407 Fernwood Road, all of which resulted in the third reading and adoption of their respective heritage designation bylaws.

The council addressed several items, including a report on the STEP program model and various advocacy motions to the federal government regarding environmental regulations for marine vessels and safer motor vehicle design standards. A heritage designation bylaw for 1026 Empress Avenue was advanced, and a bylaw regarding the administration of freedom of information and protection of privacy was approved. Additionally, the council determined the resolutions to be submitted to the 2026 AVICC Annual General Meeting and Convention, focusing on carbon regulation for existing buildings, post-secondary affordability, and mobility device access, while also directing other resolutions to the UBCM. A closed session was held to discuss confidential matters pertaining to labour and employee relations, law enforcement, and intergovernmental negotiations.

The committee addressed various land use and administrative matters, including the approval of a heritage designation for 1527 Redfern Street, a rezoning and development permit application for 19 Menzies Street, and a strata title conversion application for 2601 Avebury Avenue. Additionally, the committee approved the appointment of several new Bylaw Officers and Business License Inspectors. A motion regarding the development of a regional positive transfer system for supportive housing was discussed and subsequently referred to a future meeting date.

The council addressed several items, including the addition of a Development Potential Tax Relief Pilot Program report and a housing targets progress report to the agenda. Key decisions included the first and second readings of heritage designation bylaws for properties on Gladstone Avenue and Fernwood Road, as well as heritage designation and zoning amendments for Fisgard Street, Broad Street, and Johnson Street. Furthermore, the council authorized development permits and variance applications for a property on Washington Avenue. The meeting also involved a closed session to discuss matters related to personnel appointments, land acquisition or disposition, intergovernmental relations, law enforcement, and labour relations.