July 22, 2025
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: July 21, 2025
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 moves forward with plans to prohibit dogs from tennis courts; dog enclosure considered for Iroquois Park
Council gave first, second, and third readings to update the Animal Licence & Control Bylaw to prohibit dogs from being inside hard-surface sport courts like tennis courts, as well as playgrounds, picnic areas, and areas with exercise equipment. The change comes in response to complaints from residents about dogs in these spaces, and challenges such as animal waste being left behind.
Recognizing the demand for an off-leash dog area in East Sidney, which was also identified in the Parks Master Plan, Council is considering developing a fenced off-leash dog enclosure in Iroquois Park. The proposed area between the boat trailer parking and tennis courts could have separate spaces for small and large dogs. The Town will be gathering public input on this proposal from mid-August to mid-September. More information will be posted at Sidney.ca in August.
Staff Report Video
Wakefield Manor under consideration for Extreme Cold Weather Shelter location
In January, Council directed staff to explore creating a temporary emergency shelter to support people experiencing homelessness during extreme winter weather. The shelter would be activated when Environment and Climate Change Canada issues an extreme weather alert, which occurs approximately 10 days each year.
In partnership with Beacon Community Services, existing community space in Wakefield Manor
(9924 Third Street) has been identified as a potential location. Using part of the building for this purpose would require amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Council will consider these amendments in August for first and second reading. If the amendments move forward, a public hearing would be held in September.
Staff are also working to secure a qualified non-profit organization to operate the temporary shelter.
For the initiative to proceed, the Province would also need to approve the Extreme Cold Weather Shelter. Operational costs would be covered by BC Housing.
Staff Report Video
Town of Sidney meets Provincial Housing Target for Year 1 with a total of 90 residential units added from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Town staff presented a Year 1 Progress Report for the Province’s Housing Target Order, covering a period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The Province set a Housing Target Order for Sidney in 2024, calling for 468 new housing units to be completed in Sidney by June 30, 2029, with a minimum of 90 net new units within the first year. The Town met this target as 126 residential units in Sidney received occupancy permits over the past 12 months, while demolition permits were issued for 36 residential units.
Further housing is expected as the Town is currently reviewing Building Permit applications with a total of 230 new dwelling units, and Development Permit applications with a total of 289 new dwelling units.
Many communities across BC have been given Housing Target Orders by the Province in an effort to help alleviate a housing shortage in BC. While municipalities enable housing development through zoning and improvements to application processes, meeting Provincial Housing Targets ultimately depends on favourable market conditions and property owners choosing to develop more housing.
Staff Report Video