Municipality of North Cowichan
Regular Council
REVISED AGENDA

Wednesday, March 04, 2026 at 5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Municipal Hall - Council Chambers & Electronically

This meeting which is open to the public, will be conducted in-person in Council Chambers and by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform, and will be streamed live and archived for viewing on demand at www.northcowichan.ca. All representations to Council form part of the public record.

 

Members of the public may attend the Municipal Hall [7030 Trans-Canada Highway] in person, or join the meeting electronically to participate during the 'Public Input' and 'Question Period' portions of the agenda. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how to connect online or you may dial 1.844.426.4405, enter 1# for English, enter the meeting ID 2770 421 9346, and then enter the meeting password 1111.

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

As soon as there is a quorum present after the time specified for the Council meeting, the Mayor shall call the meeting to order. If there is no quorum of Council present within 15 minutes of the scheduled time for the meeting, the Corporate Officer records the names of the members present and those absent, and adjourns the meeting until the next scheduled meeting.

2.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

To adopt all recommendations appearing on the Consent Agenda in one motion, without discussion or debate. Included are items that are regular, non-controversial, or routine in nature. Any item may be moved out at the request of any Council member for discussion or debate, before the agenda is approved. Items removed from the Consent Agenda will be placed under New Business, as per Council's Consent Agenda Policy.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the Consent Agenda and the recommendations contained therein.

2.1

Items for Decision

All recommendations provided under each of the items listed below will be adopted once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business. 

2.1.1

Council Meeting Minutes for Adoption

Purpose: To consider if there were any errors or omissions prior to adopting the minutes of previous meetings of Council.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the minutes of their regular meeting held February 18, 2026.

2.2

Items for Information

All items listed below will be received for information purposes only once the Consent Agenda is approved, unless removed and placed under New Business where Council may consider taking action. 

2.2.1

Corey Ranger, Registered Nurse re- Lewis Street Encampment Displacement and Associated Harms

Purpose:  To receive the February 6, 2026 letter from Corey Ranger, Registered Nurse regarding the Lewis Street Encampment Displacement and Associated Harms, for information.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the February 6, 2026 letter from Corey Ranger, Registered Nurse, for information. 

2.2.2

Laura Lenzi Loewen, PAC Chair, Crofton Elementary School re- Ongoing Safety Concerns

Purpose: To receive the February 9, 2026 email from Laura Lenzi Loewen, PAC Chair, Crofton Elementary School regarding the ongoing safety concerns at Crofton Elementary School zone. 

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the February 9, 2026 email from Laura Lenzi Loewen, PAC Chair, Crofton Elementary School, for information. 

3.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

3.1

Introduction of Late Items

To consider a late item of business not included in the agenda it must be introduced and approved at the time the agenda is adopted, and placed under New Business.

3.2

Changes to Order of Business

Matters must be taken up in the order that they are listed on the agenda unless changed at this time.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the agenda be adopted as circulated [or as amended].

4.

MAYOR'S REPORT

The Mayor may provide an update to Council on recent activities and important announcements. 

5.

PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Public Input is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on matters included on the agenda. The maximum number of speakers to be heard during the public input period is limited to five (5), and each speaker is allotted up to a maximum of three (3) minutes to provide their input. Members of the public must register at least 10 minutes and not more than 30 minutes before the meeting using the webform available on North Cowichan’s website. Please visit Addressing Council to access the webform and for instructions on how to participate. Speakers are asked to state their name and residential address when commencing their address to Council, as per Council’s Public Input and Meeting Conduct Policy.

6.

PRESENTATIONS AND PETITIONS

6.1

Presenters

In accordance with Council’s Delegations and Presenters Policy, a presenter [person or organization] is invited to appear before Council and is not subject to the 10-minute speaking limit.

6.1.1

Sulsimutstun Chief James Thomas of Halalt First Nation re- OCP Amendment at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road

Purpose: For Chief JamesThomas, of Halalt First Nation, to present to Council regarding the February 12, 2026 letter regarding the Official Community Plan Amendment at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road.

6.1.2

North Cowichan Fire Department 2025 Annual Report

Purpose: For Ron French, Fire Chief, to present the 2025 Annual Report from the North Cowichan Fire Department.

6.2

Delegations

In accordance with Council’s Delegations and Presenters Policy, delegations must submit their request at least seven (7) business days before the meeting they wish to appear before Council to make a presentation, request for action, provide an update on projects, or discuss issues not currently under consideration through an active input process.  Items must be of municipal interest or concern, and delegations are limited to 10 minutes to address Council.

6.2.1

Cowichan Intercultural Society

Purpose: Amanda Vance, Executive Director and Alejandra Lara-Espinosa, LIP Coordinator and SAH Coordinator from Cowichan Intercultural Society to provide an overview of the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP).

6.2.2

OCP Amendment at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road

Purpose: For Jordan Noble to speak on behalf of the applicants regarding the Early Consideration OCP amendment for 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road, which is being brought back for reconsideration.

7.

UNFINISHED AND POSTPONED BUSINESS

This section includes matters that have been postponed to a certain time or referred to staff, a committee or some other organization or person, and shall be placed under this section when the matter is returned to Council for consideration.

7.1

Reconsideration of Early Consideration - Official Community Plan Amendment at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road

Purpose: In accordance with section 131 of the Community Charter, the Mayor has provided written notice to Council within the required 30-day period, requesting that Council reconsider and vote again on a matter that was previously decided. The following resolution was passed at the January 21, 2026 Regular Council meeting; debate will resume on the original motions as if the vote had never occurred.

IT WAS MOVED AND SECONDED:
THAT Council directs staff to proceed with processing application OCP00025 and draft an amendment to the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3900, 2022 for Council’s consideration.

7.1.1

January 21, 2026 Regular Council Agenda Item 11.8 Early Consideration - Official Community Plan Amendment at 8150 & Section 20 Hidden Hills Road

8.

STATUTORY HEARING MATTER

This section includes matters where a person has a statutory right to be heard under provincial legislation.

8.1

Statutory Right to be Heard

Explanation of the hearing process

The Mayor will provide an explanation of the Statutory Hearing process, noting that where a person has a statutory right to be heard, that person shall be provided such an opportunity during the Statutory Hearing.

8.1.1

Development Variance Permit Application No. DVP00108 for 9909 Willow Street

The order of business for this statutory hearing shall be conducted as follows:

1. Introductory presentation provided by staff
2. Applicant provides details of their application
3. Summary by the Corporate Officer of correspondence received
4. Comments from persons affected by the permit
5. Response by staff and the applicant to new information or factual matters raised

Consideration of issuance of Development Variance Permit Application for 9909 Willow Street

Purpose: To consider an application for a development variance permit to vary Section 58(6)(b) of Zoning Bylaw, 1997, No. 2950 for an accessory building that was constructed in contravention of a previously approved Development Variance Permit and Building Permit at 9909 Willow Street.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Vary Section 58(6)(b) of Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 by reducing the minimum front and side yard setbacks for the existing accessory building as per the June 21, 2024, B.C. Land Surveyor’s Building Location Certificate (Attachment 2) hereto attached to this report; and,
  2. Issue Development Variance Permit DVP00108 for 9909 Willow Street.

8.1.1.1

Updated Written Submission Package for Development Variance Permit Application for 9909 Willow Street

Correspondence received up to 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

9.

BYLAWS

Bylaws appearing under this section will be listed in order of readings as follows: (a) bylaws for adoption shall appear first, followed by (b) bylaws receiving third reading, then (c) bylaws receiving first and second or first three readings.

9.1

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4034, 2025 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4034, 2025. The section 219 Covenant has now been registered. If adopted, this bylaw will reclassify a portion of 1673 Grant Road from R1 to R2.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4034, 2025.

9.2

Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4059, 2026 for adoption

Purpose: To consider adoption of Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4059, 2026. If adopted, this bylaw will give updates to building fees to improve cost recovery and support service delivery, consistent with Council’s budget direction.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopts Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 4059, 2026.

9.3

Zoning Amendment No. 4031, 2026 for first, second and third reading

Purpose: To introduce Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4031, 2026, which proposes to permit a detached second dwelling on the 23 properties affected by the repeal of the Temporary Mobile Home Bylaw in July 2025.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second, and third reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4031, 2026.

9.4

Municipal Fine Amendment Bylaw No. 4057, 2026 for introduction

Purpose: To introduce Municipal Fine Amendment Bylaw No. 4057, 2026, which proposes to amend Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677 and Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 to include fines related to enforcement authority, and parking restrictions in the Animal Control and Traffic Bylaws.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second and third readings to Municipal Fine Amendment Bylaw No. 4057, 2026.

9.5

Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4062, 2026 for introduction

Purpose: To provide Council with feedback on the 2026 budget public input session and present the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4062, 2026, which sets out North Cowichan’s objectives and policies for the period from 2026 – 2030, for consideration of first three readings.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives first, second and third reading to 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4062, 2026.

9.6

Election and Assent Voting Amendment Bylaw No. 4060, and Cost Sharing Agreement with School District 79

Purpose: To introduce amendments to the Election and Assent Voting Bylaw, and to seek approval of the updated Election Cost-Sharing Agreement with the School District.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Gives first, second and third reading to Election and Assent Voting Amendment Bylaw No. 4060, 2026; and
  2. Approves the Election Cost Sharing Agreement between North Cowichan and School District 79, and authorizes the Mayor and Chief Election Officer to execute the agreement.

10.

REPORTS

This section includes reports from staff requiring a decision of Council and/or staff presentations. Staff reports for information only are placed in the Consent Agenda.

10.1

Development Services Function Review

Purpose: To present the Development Services Function Review (DSFR) report prepared by Neilson Strategies Inc. for approval by Council. A presentation by project consultant, Neilson Strategies Inc., will be provided.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Receives the Development Services Function Review report dated December 2025, for information;
  2. Endorses the recommendation framework outlined in the report; and,
  3. Directs staff to develop an implementation plan and bring forward required investments through the annual business planning process.

10.1.1

Presentation Materials from Neilson Strategies

10.2

Foundry for Youth in the Cowichan Region

Purpose: To provide information on the Foundry Integrated Youth Services model and identify potential locations or existing sites that could host a Foundry.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council directs staff to continue engaging with Foundry proponents in the Cowichan Valley in support of a potential application and assist them with the search for a location when appropriate.

10.3

Overnight sheltering sites for the unhoused

Purpose: To provide an update on the use of North Cowichan sites for sheltering by unhoused residents.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives this report and endorses the continued use of the following sites for overnight sheltering:

  1. 4015 Hiddenluck Street on the road right of way leading to the park,
  2. York Road north of the dyke, and,
  3. Beverly Street on the verge adjacent to the Somenos Marsh.

11.

NEW BUSINESS

This section includes external items that require a decision of Council, items that have been removed from the Consent Agenda, and motions submitted by Council members, where previous notice has been given, for Council consideration.

12.

QUESTION PERIOD

Members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to ask questions of Council regarding matters discussed at the meeting and shall be allotted up to 30 seconds each to ask their question. Question Period is limited to 15 minutes.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

Once all the business is done and over with, the Mayor may declare the meeting adjourned without requiring a resolution of Council.