December 4, 2024
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: December 2, 2024
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.
Council recognizes retirement of long-serving Official Town Crier
Council recognized the outstanding contributions of Official Town Crier, Kenny Podmore, following notice of his retirement. Podmore has served in the role for more than 20 years, emceeing events, delivering public Proclamations, leading parades, opening new facilities and businesses, and welcoming dignitaries to the community with a captivating voice and presence. In early 2025, the Town will hold an event to honour Podmore’s contributions to the community as Town Crier, with details to come.
Overview of Town Crier Role Video
Council supports proposal to introduce new tax on hotel stays in Sidney to boost tourism
Council agreed to provide a letter of support for an application from the Sidney Hotel Group and the Sidney Business Improvement Area (BIA) to establish a hotel tax (also known as a Municipal and Regional District Tax) on all short-term accommodations in Sidney, including short-term vacation rentals. The tax would add 3% to hotel stays in Sidney, which would be paid by visitors. Funds collected would be administered by the BIA to support tourism marketing, visitor services, and destination development in Sidney, especially during the shoulder season. Should the application be approved by the Province, the hotel tax is expected to begin in late 2025. Similar initiatives to support tourism exist in many other parts of BC, including the Gulf Islands, Victoria and Vancouver.
Staff Report Video
Council considers staff update on recent Provincial Housing & Development Legislation
Staff provided an update to Council on how a series of changes to Provincial legislation to boost housing supply in BC applies to Sidney, and how those changes are being implemented. The most significant change as a result of the legislation was an update to the Town’s Zoning Bylaw in June 2024 to allow up to four housing units on residential lots, depending on lot size. Looking ahead to next steps, Council passed a resolution stating that at a strategic planning session in early 2025, Council will consider a Tenant Protection Bylaw to support tenants whose buildings are planned for redevelopment.
In 2025, staff will also be analyzing whether the current Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw provide enough housing opportunities to meet housing needs estimates, which were revised in November 2024, as required by the Province.
New marine industrial building approved for Harbour Road
Council approved a Development Permit Application for a new building that will be part of a Vector Yacht Services expansion on Harbour Road. In keeping with the Official Community Plan, which has guidelines to ensure development on Harbour Road supports the community’s vital marine industry, the building will be utilized for marine-industrial related activities, including boat repair and servicing.