February 13, 2025
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: February 10, 2025
Sidney BC
Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to sidney.civicweb.net/Portal for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.
Community invited to provide input on updated Strategic Plan
Following a strategic planning discussion held on January 24, Council has updated the Town of Sidney’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The draft updated plan is now available for public review at Sidney.ca.
Strategic planning is a process used to set key priorities for the municipality, above and beyond core operations. The plan is reviewed and updated on an annual basis by Council to monitor progress and update priorities as needed.
Newly added priorities include:
- Exploring the creation of a Tenant Protection Bylaw;
- Updating the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to align with the 20-year housing supply forecasts in in the Housing Needs Report; and
- Developing a concept plan and undertaking community engagement for the future replacement of the Town Hall building.
Some ongoing priorities include, but are not limited to:
- Advancing options for increased multi-modal connectivity across Highway 17;
- Conducting a Citizen Satisfaction Survey; and
- Planning for sea level rise.
Examples of Strategies Priorities that have been completed from this Council’s originally adopted plan in 2022/2023, include :
- Constructing Fourth Street and waterfront washrooms;
- Redesigning municipal website;
- Developing Active Transportation Plan;
- Developing Economic Development Plan;
- Undertaking comprehensive update to the Zoning Bylaw, and
- Bringing Sidney Street Market back to Beacon Avenue.
Council will consider any public feedback before potentially finalizing the updated Strategic Plan at the upcoming March 10th Council meeting.
Staff Report and Draft Updated Strategic Plan Video
Subdivision of lots to include $239,300 contribution to Sidney’s Parkland Acquisition Fund
The Local Government Act requires that subdivisions that create three or more additional new lots provide a parkland dedication either in the form of land or cash-in-lieu. As part of an application to subdivide two adjacent residential properties into five lots (2499 Rothesay Avenue and 10057 Third Street), Council has approved a contribution of $239,300 to the Town’s Parkland Acquisition Fund, rather than create a very small pocket park on the property. The Town’s Parkland Needs Assessment (2023) will help guide future parkland acquisitions, ensuring parks are created or expanded in areas where there is the highest need.
Staff Report Video