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This Monday was the final regular city council meeting before the annual summer break in August. 

As such, the meeting’s agenda was full of items that city councillors wanted to get through council.

I’ve written up a summary of the major items, but wanted to draw your attention to a motion by Coun. Hilary Eastmure about how the city zones data centres in its Official Community Plan. 

There was a lengthy discussion on that item that is too detailed to capture in a newsletter, but the crux of it was that a lack of federal and provincial regulations around data centres are leaving local governments without clear direction when it comes to their water use and energy consumption.

I would encourage people who are interested to watch the livestream of the council meeting at the three hour mark to hear the full debate.

Eastmure’s motion passed and staff will be bringing a proposed amendment to the city plan to a future city council meeting.

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

Snuneymuxw Days to share culture with Nanaimo community

Health and wellness event features sport, traditional games and a feast.

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Council corner

Nanaimo city council met on Monday with a packed agenda before council goes on break in August. 

Council approved a number of recommendations from city committees on the consent agenda:

• To request a staff report about the City of Nanaimo joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network and adopting the sunflower symbol at city owned facilities.

• To approve the Mayor’s Leaders Table’s Nanaimo Accord. 

• To adopt the Tree Risk Management and Maintenance Policy.

• $6,000 in community grants to the West Coast Costume Society, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 and the Mansfield County Fair. 

• Changes to the Sport Tournament Grant program including renaming the program the Sport Project Grant.

A motion to contribute $75,000 in principle to the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation to develop a non-market housing delivery system pilot project with partner groups passed 6-2 with councillors Tyler Brown and Sheryl Armstrong opposed. 

There was also a presentation by Heather Gonyer and Kathryn Janzen requesting the city advocate for increased funding for the Nexus Primary Care Clinic.

James Boak spoke about his concerns regarding how the city’s development permit review process works with protected riparian areas, such as the development at 3400 Barrington Rd. 

Council voted unanimously to establish a Friendship City relationship with Yangzhou, China.

City staff provided an update on a bylaw that would regulate the sale of invasive plants and provided engagement results with local nurseries to council. The engagement results found that no retailers said they were stocking plants on B.C’s invasive plants list and had internal policies to avoid selling invasive plants. 

A motion to request that staff bring changes to the business licence bylaw restricting the sale and distribution of invasive plants passed 7-1 with Coun. Ian Thorpe, who supported public education instead of legislation, opposed.

A report on the City of Nanaimo’s progress on meeting provincial housing targets shows that the city hit its targets with occupancy permits for 853 new units issued between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025, exceeding the target of 835 units for the year.

A bevy of bylaw changes passed, including bylaws for subdivision and Development Servicing, residential tenant assistance and off-street parking regulations.

A request for a letter of support from Literacy Central Vancouver Island for its application for federal funding was approved by council. 

Armstrong’s motion that city staff work with Legion Branch 256 to develop a crosswalk honouring veterans near the Dallas Square cenotaph passed unanimously with a timeline dependent on city staff’s existing work priorities. Armstrong said the city would not be paying for it and they are exploring other funding options.

A motion by Eastmure for staff to prepare an amendment to the Official Community Plan about zoning for data centres passed with Brown opposed. The changes would require applicants to provide detailed information on water use, energy consumption and water conservation in their rezoning application.

On The Island

Residents upset with Aspen Road development in Comox

Comox councillor says housing development should be balanced with community compassion.

Cowichan SPCA calls for more foster volunteers as demand for space increase

As demand grows for animal shelter space, a team of volunteers and Cowichan SPCA staff are working to make sure animals find a place to call home.

In other news

👉 A report on Nanaimo’s urban tree canopy estimated that it provides $13.7 million a year in “ecosystem services” while storing $367 million worth of carbon. It also counted more than 500 trees that are 30 meters high or taller. CHEK News has the story.

👉 The Regional District of Nanaimo is cracking down on curbside contamination and could issue fines of up to $500 to residents who don’t sort their curbside recycling properly. CHEK News has the story.

👉 A Nanaimo drone operator was called on to help search for a missing dog named Moose after the dog escaped a dogwalker and ran into the woods. CHEK News has the story

👉  Nanaimo’s annual Silly Boat Regatta raised $90,000 for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre on Sunday, with 30 teams competing for top spot. The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society's ‘Monster from Snake Island’ boat finished first. Nanaimo News Now has the story.

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👉  McGregor Park on Nanaimo’s waterfront is being transformed into a Heritage Site with a landscape art installation that will “encourage visitors to engage with the history and legacy of Japanese Canadians in Nanaimo” according to the city. It will include a Nikkei Outdoor Performance Space for cultural performances, storytelling, music and community gatherings. Construction is expected to be completed by December. Nanaimo News Now has the story.

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