February 25, 2026

Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: February 23, 2026

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.

Proposal to build 75 apartment units at 9972 Third Street proceeds to Advisory Planning Commission

Council is forwarding a proposal to build a four-storey building with 75 apartment units at 9972 Third Street to the Advisory Planning Commission for review and comment. In September 2025, Council directed the applicant to explore revisions to the site layout to avoid impacts on several protected trees, and to undertake a traffic impact study for Third Street and Fourth Street.

The traffic study concluded that the development would generate low traffic volumes and is not expected to have significant neighbourhood impacts. The applicant reviewed several alternative site layouts to address tree retention but did not find a viable way to retain all three protected Monterey cypress trees along Fourth Street while meeting parking and access requirements.

The proposal moving forward includes the removal of one protected Monterey cypress tree to accommodate a driveway, with the remaining two cypress trees retained and pruned. The application also includes a zoning amendment to rezone a portion of the site to RM7 to allow four storeys across the property, as well as variances related to minimum front yard setback and rooftop access structures.
Staff Report                                           Video

Council to submit letter to Victoria Regional Transit Commission opposing proposed changes to Route #72

Following a BC Transit presentation broadly summarizing public feedback on a proposal to modify Route #72 (Victoria–Sidney/Swartz Bay) to include a stop at Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Council voted unanimously to submit a letter to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission opposing the change. The proposal would add approximately 10 minutes to the current Route #72 trip.

BC Transit shared that feedback from the February 2026 engagement period demonstrated a strong public interest in improved airport transit connections. However, reactions to the specific Route #72 proposal were mixed. Key concerns included longer travel times and potential crowding.

BC Transit will continue analyzing the feedback and present a report to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission on March 10. At that meeting, the Commission will decide whether the proposed Route #72 changes will proceed, with a potential implementation of September 2026.
BC Transit Presentation                         Video