September 12, 2025
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: September 8, 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.
Emergency Weather Response Shelter not moving forward for Wakefield Manor
Following a Public Hearing, Sidney Council did not approve the zoning changes needed for Wakefield Manor to operate as an Extreme Weather Response Shelter.
Council did approve an amendment to the OCP to allow emergency shelters on residential lands, so that future proposals can be considered through a Zoning Bylaw amendment alone, which involves a public engagement process.
Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith has provided the following statement:
Statement from Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith re: Extreme Weather Response Shelter
In January, Council directed staff to pursue options for establishing an extreme weather response shelter for the coming winter season. This included preparing a proposal to BC Housing, due by September 30.
At that time, Council was advised that there are currently 12 extreme weather shelters in the Capital Regional District located in Victoria, Saanich, and Sooke providing 322 spaces. Sidney has had an estimated 10 to 20 homeless individuals for many years.
We recognized from the outset that finding a suitable location and a qualified non-governmental organization to operate an overnight shelter would be challenging. Staff explored numerous sites, including churches, community centres, municipal spaces, and potential non-governmental partners.
In August, staff presented a proposal to Council to create 10 to 20 shelter spaces in the largely unused community space at Wakefield Manor, a 24-unit subsidized seniors’ residence with rent geared to income. The residence is owned and operated by Beacon Community Services, who would also operate the shelter with trained staff.
Following a Public Hearing on Monday evening, Council voted four to three against the necessary Zoning Bylaw amendments to establish this shelter. The decision was based largely on concerns Wakefield residents, neighbouring residents, and community at large have for the safety of Wakefield residents, as well as concerns that consultation on this initiative was insufficient.
Council received a high volume of correspondence, a petition with nearly 400 signatures, and significant turnout at the hearing. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.
Council is disappointed that this initiative was not successful. Homeless individuals are members of our community and deserve compassion and support. A clear message from both Council and the public is that the Province must take stronger action to address mental health and addictions, improve public safety, and provide lasting housing solutions rather than relying on temporary overnight shelters.
Many residents have expressed willingness to participate in a new community process to address homelessness in Sidney. Council will need to consider how best to move this conversation forward in the future.
Staff Report Video
Council approves development for 180 rental apartment units on Beacon Avenue West
Council has approved a proposal to build two four-storey residential buildings with a total of 180 rental units on 2114 Beacon Avenue West, 2098 Beacon Avenue West, and 2107 Jahn Place. The buildings will offer a mix of three-bedroom, two-bedroom, and one-bedroom units.
The proposal included a Development Variance Application to decrease the front yard setbacks from 4.5 metres to 3.28 metres to accommodate balconies, which Council approved. The development is consistent with the Official Community Plan and West Side Local Area Plan that support multi-unit residential development in appropriately designated areas.
Staff Report Video
Council directs developer to consider trees and traffic further for 9972 Third Street
The proponent for a proposed four-storey development with 75 rental units at 9972 Third Street has been directed to bring the application back to Council after the following steps have been taken:
- Consider revising the site layout to relocate driveways and reduce impacts on protected trees and root zones; and,
- Provide a local traffic impact study assessing potential effects on Third Street and Fourth Street, along with possible mitigation measures.
The developer has applied to rezone the eastern portion of the property from RM6-R to RM7, which would permit the building to be four storeys.
Staff Report Video