Council’s 2016 Strategic Plan Update Town of Sidney Resilient Economy, Balanced Demographic, Quality Living Environment
Purpose • To provide a status update on the Town’s strategic planning initiatives for 2016 • To determine potential changes to the three year plan (2016 – 2018)
Background • November 10, 2015, the Town conducted a comprehensive strategic planning session led by a facilitator • Goal was to develop a three year plan that would outline Council’s key strategies for the remainder of the Council term • Council approved the Strategic Plan (2016-2018) on December 21, 2015
2016 Key Priorities 1. Downtown Waterfront Vision Status: In Progress • Beacon Wharf Redevelopment evolved into the Downtown Waterfront Vision to allow for a broader view • Council approved a budget of $30,000 for use of consultants • Good progress made on this project – Public Idea Fair on August 13 th – Online survey – Colouring sheet of the study area – Stakeholder workshop on September 23 rd – Public Idea Gallery on workshop outcomes on November 2 • Final report and presentation to CoW by end of 2016 or early 2017 • Next phase – decisions on options, prioritize improvements and create a plan to complete the work
2016 Key Priorities 2. Revitalization Tax Exemptions Status: In Progress • Idea evolved out of Mayor’s Task Force for Downtown Revitalization • What’s changed – level of development activity in and around downtown • Staff have done some research on RTE’s; however, have not had sufficient time to address as a strategic priority • If RTE’s are pursued, staff recommend that it be utilized for a specific set of council-priority-driven outcomes • Staff will bring forward a report on RTE options and recommendations in the near future.
2016 Key Priorities 3. Significant Development Proposals Status: Ongoing
2016 Key Priorities Significant Development Proposals (cont ….) Gateway Development • Major OCP/Zoning amendment proposal involving significant staff time and resources • Applications were submitted to the Town in May 2016, and approved by Council on September 12, 2016 • Staff are currently working with MOTI and Omicron regarding traffic mitigation measures • VAA Development Permit to be submitted to the Town soon • Possible construction could commence as early as the spring of 2017 Other Significant Developments o 2060 White Birch Road (Marina Park Marina – Two 4-storey residential mixed use marina office/residential buildings) o 9818 Third St. (Meridian – 5-storey mixed use res/com development on previous McLarty’s site) o 2409 Bevan Ave. (Corner of Fifth and Bevan – 4 storey mixed use res/com development) o 10364 Resthaven/2248 Ardwell – 15 lot residential development/subdivision o 9700/9708 Fourth St. – 4-storey, 11 unit mixed use res/com development
2016 Key Priorities 4. Downtown Employee Parking Status: In Progress • Town not successful for Federal Gas Tax Grant to construct employee parking lot on current skatepark and VAA lands • Instead, Town negotiated an employee/public parking area on a portion of MPS lands (as part of the required access easement) • The parking area will be constructed in phases • Town’s Engineering Department is developing detailed design plans for the parking area • Project to be brought forward for funding consideration with the upcoming financial plan • If approved, construction could commence in 2017 on first phase
2016 Key Priorities 5. Attainable Workforce Housing Status: In Progress • Affordable rental housing development at 9830 Fourth Street – 56 rental units with commercial on ground floor • Application was approved by Council on March 14 th • BP issued on August 18 th , following the registration of Housing Agreement at LTO. The HA ensures that just over half of the units are available at attainable rent levels in perpetuity • Construction is currently underway • Project completion expected in early 2018
2016 Key Priorities 6. Skateboard Park Status: In Progress • New Line awarded design and construction contracts • Council confirmed Tulista Park as the site for skateboard park on July 13, 2016 • Pre-load placed in August 2016 and soil consolidation underway • Construction expected to begin in early 2017 and be completed in May/June 2017 (followed by soft opening) • Official opening in July 2017 as part of Canada 150 Celebrations
2016 Key Priorities 7. Market and Promote Sidney for Families and Youth Status: Ongoing • Council determined that this was to be a Councillor led initiative: – Support for Canada 150 and Sidney 50 th celebrations – Support for construction of new skatepark – Support for affordable rental housing project
2016 Key Priorities 8. West Side Local Area Plan Status: In Progress
2016 Key Priorities West Side Local Area Plan (cont …) • Budget of $65,000 – purpose of project is to develop a revitalization plan for lands west of Highway 17 and north of Beacon Ave. West • Consultant hired to assist with project • Work is underway – Advisory Group meeting on Sept. 14 – Public Ideas Fair in study area on Sept. 28 – Online survey, available since mid-Sept • Stakeholder workshop for property owners, residents, business owners and employees – scheduled for early Nov. • Additional consultation in November and December prior to completion of final report and presentation to CoW in early 2017 • Once LAP is complete, next phase of project will be plan implementation, including planning for, prioritizing and financing proposed physical improvements
2016 Key Priorities 9. Community Safety Building Status: In Progress
2016 Key Priorities Community Safety Building (cont ….) • Town faced major challenges with leasing a portion of MPS lands for CSB – Council approved the lands to the south (VAA and Skatepark) in June, 2016 • Architectural work well underway – actively working with consulting professionals – mechanical, electrical and structural • ToS zoning to permit Emergency Services approved • VAA has submitted applications for Federal rezoning and Navigations Canada approval – Received Navigations Canada approval on October 31 st – Optimistic that Federal approval is imminent • VAA’s Development Permit approval process initiated • Council approved MOU with MPS for access easement through their lands • Draft MOU for co-location of BC Ambulance station • Council approved Borrowing Bylaw on October 24 th • Construction to commence as soon as Federal approval occurs
2016 Key Priorities 10. Downtown Public Realm Design Standards Status: In Progress
2016 Key Priorities Downtown Public Realm Design Standards (cont…) • Approved budget of $100,000 – establish design standards for downtown streets that can be implemented as redevelopment, capital planning and other opportunities arise • Consultant hired to assist ( D’Ambrosio Architecture) • Work is nearing completion. Thus far: – pop-up booth at Thursday night summer market – August 11 – postcard survey and online survey available through month of August – pop-up map boards for public comments available from July 20 – Aug 3 rd – Stakeholder tour in August and workshop on September 27th • Community presentation on workshop scheduled for Nov 15 th • Final report and presentation to CoW end of 2016 or early 2017 • Phase 2 - establishment of formal policy regarding streetscape standards and their implementation
2016 Key Priorities 11. Reay Creek Pond Remediation Status: In Progress • Technical Working Group (ToS, DNS, TC, VAA, MOE, CRD) continues to meet and guide process • In 2016, additional site sampling and data analysis completed • Reay Creek Residents Rally in June 2016 – attended by staff and members of Council • Transport Canada classified site as ‘Class 1’ in October 2016 – major milestone that places this project in the queue for federal remediation funding • Remediation options and plan to be developed in 2017
Additional Significant Projects - 2016 Port Sidney Marina Lease Extension and Breakwater Divestiture Density Review Canada 150 and Sidney 50 th Celebrations Establishment of, and ongoing support for, the EDC Library Facilities Visitor and Tourism Information Services Henry Avenue Right of Way Purchase BIA Renewal Trolley Service Budget Estimate Marijuana Dispensaries – Business Licensing **Note: While all of the above are important and need to be pursued – one warrants consideration for inclusion in Council’s current Strategic Plan – PSM Lease Extension and Breakwater Divestiture
2016 Key Priorities PSM Lease Extension and Breakwater Divestiture Status: In Progress • New owner of marina would like to make improvements – extending the north breakwater to the west to improve protection and safety from winter storms and altering the breakwater that connects to land to increase availability of temporary moorage and allow for future possibility of a passenger only ferry • New owner has requested that the Town support a longer sublease – subsequently requires a longer lease with the Province • In order to make changes to the breakwaters, they must first be divested from the Feds • A 6 to 12 month project, involving considerable staff time
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