Monday’s Nanaimo city council meeting saw a overview of BC Housing projects in the city by representatives of the agency.
There was also a presentation by the CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island about the Home Away From Home Build in Nanaimo. In a separate delegation, Jackie Bolen presented in favour of banning the sale of single-use plastic water bottles under one litre in size.
Council passed a bylaw to establish a Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Area. The bylaw will charge a tax from businesses in the downtown area. Each parcel of land will be charged a minimum of $288 in 2026 to a maximum of $6,864 depending on the property's assessed value. The bylaw and levy will be in place for five years with 1.1 per cent increases in subsequent years. Property owners have between Nov. 3 and Dec. 5 to petition against the bylaw.
City council also voted to expand the city’s local service area for four properties to take advantage of the city’s home energy retrofit financing program.
There were also various development variance and zoning permits discussed, including an application to rezone a property on Westwood Lake to allow a low-density multi-family residential development that was voted down 7-2 with Mayor Lenoard Krog and Coun. Ian Thorpe in favour of it.
Council voted unanimously to supply a letter of support by the Mid Island Elder College Society's application for a community gaming grant.
Coun. Sheryl Armstrong made a motion to direct staff to engage with emergency services before any traffic calming or road changes in the city. The motion was carried with Coun. Tyler Brown opposed.
In other city news, the food garden at Five Acre Farm Community Park was named in honour of Craig Evans. The Craig Evans Community Garden will be located within a designated urban agricultural area in the park.
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