Watch City Council meetings live or view recordings at www.campbellriver.ca/webcasts.
The City of Campbell River acknowledges that we are on the territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach people of the Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai First Nations.
DELEGATION
Council heard a presentation from Samantha Storfie and Kenya Storfie of Spinners Sports, discussing their community safety concerns and the complex social challenges in Campbell River. The presenters recognized and thanked Council for their efforts thus far and called upon the City to work with other levels of government and social services agencies to address these issues.
As in many communities across Canada, community safety, particularly in the downtown area, continues to be at the forefront of discussions in Campbell River. The City is actively taking steps and investing in solutions to work towards Council’s Strategic Priority: a Healthy and Safe Community. To learn more about what the City is doing, visit campbellriver.ca/downtown-safety.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
Update Regarding Overdose Prevention Site Nuisance Property Designation
Council received a verbal update from Elle Brovold, City Manager, about actions the City is taking and the report staff are preparing to address concerns received from local businesses regarding the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS). The City and OPS management have committed to meeting bi-weekly to discuss concerns and collaborate on solutions and OPS management also recently met with RCMP. The OPS is actively recruiting a full-time manager for the site. The City shared Council’s recent allocation of more than $1.4 million to expand public works clean-ups, security and enforcement in the downtown area and that this area of downtown will be a priority. City staff will be reaching out to those who submitted correspondence to the City about the OPS site to explore opportunities to support them.
Animal Control Amendment Bylaw and Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Amendment Bylaw Updated
Council approved amendments to bring Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 3923, 2023, and Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Amendment Bylaw No. 3924, 2023 into alignment with current standards and to promote compliance with animal control regulations. The amendments, which were developed in consultation with the City’s animal control service provider, are intended to create a greater level of compliance from dog owners, particularly for habitual or serious offences.
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
(Received at the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 7, 2023.)
Council received a report with the results of the City’s 2023 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, and heard a presentation from Discovery Research, the firm hired to conduct the survey. The 2023 Citizen Satisfaction Survey was mailed to 1,300 randomly selected Campbell River residents and an online survey was made available to all residents. Residents were asked to rate their satisfaction with City services and the quality of life within the community. A total of 932 surveys were completed; 372 mail and 560 online. The survey results report a high overall quality of life and support a trend of satisfaction with the community, City services and staff, while also acknowledging key issues. Survey results reflected concerns seen in other communities in British Columbia and were expected based on the 2023 Point-in-Time homeless count for Campbell River, the RCMP Downtown Business Survey, and other regional reports, which have highlighted increased challenges and concern about mental health, addictions and homelessness. The detailed report is available at getinvolved.campbellriver.ca.
FINANCIAL UPDATES
Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption for 1210 Cedar Street
Council authorized staff to enter into a Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption agreement with the property owner of a commercial building at 1210 Cedar Street and to issue a Tax Exemption Certificate following building occupancy, as per Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw 3506, 2013. The applicant is eligible for a municipal tax exemption on the increased property tax value. The term of the exemption is five years, at 100 per cent of the increased municipal property tax resulting from the improvements. The total anticipated municipal tax exemption for the property owner is approximately $180,850 over the five-year exemption period, starting after building occupancy.
Downtown revitalization tax exemptions look to incentivize certain types of developments in zones that will benefit the downtown, with the expectation that these developments will generate future property tax revenue, create jobs and contribute to downtown revitalization. Property improvements that are made as part of the development increase the property’s value, which then increases the property taxes for the site. The exemption temporarily relaxes the property taxes that are paid on the increased property tax value only; the original property tax amount must still be paid.
City Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaws
Council adopted several amendment bylaws related to the City’s fees and charges:
- User Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3928, 2023
- Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 3929, 2023
- False Alarm Fees Amendment Bylaw No. 3930, 2023
- Fireworks Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 3931, 2023
- Clean Air Amendment Bylaw No. 3932, 2023
- Fire Services Amendment Bylaw No. 3933, 2023
- Cemetery Management Amendment Bylaw No. 3935, 2023
- Sanitary Sewer Connections Amendment Bylaw No. 3936, 2023
Fee reviews for the Campbell River Airport, animal control and the Development Services Department have been or will be delivered separately.
The fees and charges amendments take into account rising inflation and rising costs to deliver municipal programs and services. Updating its fees and charges will help the City generate increased fees and charges revenue during 2024. The fees and charges amendments will be incorporated into the 2024-2033 Financial Plan, and the City will begin the process of informing the public of the changes. New and revised fees will take effect at the beginning of 2024. The last major fee increase occurred in 2014.
Budget Carry Forwards From the 2023-2032 Financial Plan
Council directed staff to continue with ongoing 2023 projects as identified in the 2023-2032 Financial Plan and to add the approved carry-forward amounts that are remaining from the project budgets to the 2024-2033 Financial Plan.
LONG RANGE PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY UPDATES
Quinsam Heights Neighbourhood Plan
(Received at the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 7, 2023.)
Council received a report about proposed land use and key policy directions as part of the process of updating the Quinsam Heights Neighbourhood Plan, and authorized staff to proceed with developing a draft plan. Quinsam Heights has been the fastest-growing neighbourhood in Campbell River, and is identified as an area for residential infill and development. Public input into the Quinsam Heights Neighbourhood Plan has been gathered throughout the process to identify the neighbourhood vision and draft land use and policy directions. A draft of the plan will be presented to Council early in the new year to ensure it addresses Council’s priorities, and then presented to the public to ensure the City has captured people’s ideas. Following public engagement, all comments will be considered and incorporated into the final plan and presented to Council for adoption.
Update on the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan and the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan
(Received at the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 7, 2023.)
Council received a report about the work that’s being done to update the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan and the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.
The Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan will replace the current Strategic Parks Plan and Culture and Heritage Plan. It will address topics such as aging parks and recreational infrastructure; land availability for fields and facilities; increased operational costs; and changing demographics, recreational needs and preferences.
The Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan will support Council’s strategic priority of a healthy and safe community, touching on topics such as crime prevention and reduction; mental health; substance use; supporting individuals in precarious housing situations or experiencing homelessness; support for individuals living in poverty; vulnerable populations; building community capacity; developing safe community spaces; and enhancing community connectedness.
These projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2024 following research and data collection, field study, and engagement with community partners and the public.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Rezoning Application for 470 Walworth Road
Council received a report about Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3937, 2023, which proposes to split-zone the northern portion of 470 Walworth Road from Residential Estate One (RE-1) to Residential Multiple Two (RM-2) and Residential Multiple One (RM-1). This would allow for development of a seven lot, fee simple subdivision with four townhouse units per lot (28 dwelling units total) on the RM-2 portion of land. The remaining portion of the property will be zoned Residential Multiple One (RM-1). Council decided not to hold a public hearing as the application is consistent with the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Section 464 (2) of the Local Government Act and directed staff to provide the required statutory notifications prior to first reading.
Rezoning Application for 2320 Campbell River Road
Council received a report about Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3925, 2023, which proposes to rezone 2320 Campbell River Road from Commercial Six (C-6) to Comprehensive Development Eight (CD8) Zone. This would bring the residential use and the current dwelling units on five strata lots and common property into zoning compliance, and would also allow for new zoning regulations for future residential development on the property. Council decided not to hold a public hearing as the application is consistent with the OCP and Section 464 (2) of the Local Government Act, and directed staff to provide the required statutory notifications prior to first reading.
CORRESPONDENCE
Discovery Community College Regarding Funded Practical Nursing Program.
Council received correspondence from Kosta Kokinis, Student Service Coordinator, Discovery Community College, requesting a letter of support for the college’s application for a funded Practical Nursing Program that would cover the education costs of several students in the program. Council directed staff to send a letter of support.
Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Regarding Priority Healthcare Projects
Council received correspondence from Ian Thorpe, Chair, Nanaimo Regional Hospital District, requesting a letter of support for critical health infrastructure that would serve Central and North Vancouver Island. Council directed staff to send a letter of support to Minister of Health Adrian Dix for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District priority capital projects.
HIGHLIGHTS OF NOVEMBER 9 2023 COUNCIL MEETING - NEWS RELEASE - 2023