October 24, 2023
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: October 23, 2023
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 www.www.sidney.ca for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.
Proposed rental housing development with 28 below-market units under consideration
Following a presentation by the developer, Council have directed staff to bring forward a draft zoning bylaw amendment for consideration based on a proposal to build a five-storey, 140-unit rental housing development on the northwest corner of Beacon Avenue and the Pat Bay Highway.
In response to Sidney’s Housing Needs Assessment (2019), which found that the greatest need for housing within Sidney is for below-market rental units, part of the project’s community amenity contribution package includes 28 rental units offered at 20% below market value for 20 years.
If Council gives the zoning bylaw amendment first and second reading at a future Council meeting, a Public Hearing would be scheduled to gather community input on the proposal.
Council considers condition assessment for Beacon Wharf
In keeping with Council’s 2021 resolutions related to the future of Beacon Wharf, an engineering firm conducted a periodic condition assessment of the wharf this summer. The inspection found that the wharf will require extensive repairs in approximately three years, with an estimated cost of $388,000. The next condition assessment is scheduled for 2026, which will refine the scope of future repair work. Council will consider repair costs as part of a future budget process.
Council directed staff to offer an extension to the current commercial leases on Beacon Wharf to the end of 2026 with a possibility of further renewals.
Free bike valet parking service used by 228 bikes over the course of Sidney Street Market season
Staff presented Council with a report on a pilot project involving free bike valet parking during Sidney Street Market evenings this summer. In keeping with the Active Transportation Plan and Climate Action Plan, free valet parking for bikes and e-bikes was offered to encourage people to bike downtown rather than drive. This initiative ensured bikes could be stored securely, supported sidewalk accessibility by reducing the number of bikes locked to street furniture, and increased parking availability for drivers.
In total, 228 bikes and e-bikes were stored through the valet service over 11 market evenings.Given the demonstrated interest in this service, Council may consider free bike valet parking for other major events in Sidney in the future.
Media Contact:
Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith
Town of Sidney
250-656-1139
mayor@sidney.ca