August 21, 2025
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: August 18, 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.
Multi-use path approved for Beacon Avenue West to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Council has approved the phased construction of a multi-use path on the north side of Beacon Avenue West to make this busy corridor safer for cyclists and pedestrians. The new path will provide a physically separated, off-street space shared by pedestrians and cyclists, similar but wider than the nearby Flight Path that circles the airport. A multi-use path is also being constructed on the south side of Beacon Avenue West, creating a consistent connection to the highway intersection.
This decision aligns with the Strategic Plan which prioritizes making multi-modal transportation safer across the Pat Bay Highway at Beacon Avenue, and the overarching goal of the Active Transportation Plan to create infrastructure that supports all ages and abilities.
The path on the north side of Beacon Avenue West will be built gradually, funded by offsite improvements as developments occur along the roadway, such as the multi-family rental building planned for 2180 Beacon Avenue. The majority of the multi-use path planned for the south side of Beacon Avenue West is currently being built in conjunction with the construction of a new hotel, with the Town completing small connecting sections on either side of this development.
Council to consider Development Permit Application and Development Variance Permit for project including 180 apartment units on Beacon Avenue West
Following a review by the Advisory Planning Commission, Council will be considering a development proposal to build two multi-family residential buildings with a total of 180 apartment units on 2114 Beacon Avenue West, 2098 Beacon Avenue West, and 2107 Jahn Place this September.
The proposal includes a Development Variance Application to decrease the front yard setbacks from 4.5 metres to 3.28 metres. Owners and tenants within 75 metres of the properties are being notified about the Development Variance Permit application, to ensure neighbourhood feedback is considered by Council as part of the approvals process. Since the project aligns with the recently updated Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan, the approvals process will not include a Public Hearing.
Public Hearing planned for possible zoning and OCP amendment to allow Wakefield Manor to serve as Extreme Weather Response Shelter when needed
A Public Hearing will be held September 8th to gather community input on a proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. The amendment would allow a designated community space with a separate entrance and washroom at Wakefield Manor (9924 Third Street) to be used as an Extreme Weather Response Shelter when needed.
Earlier this year, Council directed staff to explore options for establishing an Extreme Weather Response Shelter, following public concern about the safety of unhoused individuals during severe winter conditions. This initiative remains in the early planning stages and would require Provincial approval and a qualified non-profit operator before proceeding.
If approved and operational, the shelter would be activated during Extreme Weather Alerts issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada, which typically occur about 10 days per year.