Ladysmith town council met Oct. 7 to discuss the following community matters:
RCMP report shows calls for service on the rise
Council received the Ladysmith RCMP’s second-quarter report for July through September, presented by S/Sgt. Trevor Busch.
The detachment logged an overall increase in calls for service compared to the same period last year, with notable rises in traffic-related incidents and well-being checks. Busch attributed the traffic spike partly to proactive enforcement and summer tourism. Property and drug-related offences declined, continuing a trend from the previous quarter.
Council members expressed appreciation for the detachment’s community visibility and focus on prevention. Busch noted that his team has already surpassed several of their annual proactive-policing targets, including school zone patrols and foot patrol hours.
Holland Creek development permit amended
Council approved a technical amendment to Development Permit 3060-24-21 for an 84-unit multi-family project on Lot A in the Holland Creek neighbourhood and advanced a related zoning bylaw change, clearing the way for the development to move forward.
The amendment reduces the number of oversized bicycle parking spaces required from eight to four, aligning the project with updated design standards. Council referred the bylaw change to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit for approval before adoption.
Questions were raised about long-term access routes and construction timing, echoing previous public concerns. Staff acknowledged the inquiries and said further information will be provided once timelines and thresholds are confirmed. Staff also confirmed that security deposits will remain in place to ensure landscaping and servicing requirements are met before occupancy.
BMO selected for corporate card services
Council awarded the town’s corporate card contract to BMO, approving a total monthly program limit of $30,000. Staff said the change will streamline purchasing and improve financial tracking through a centralized platform.
New fire captain position approved
Council authorized the creation of an additional paid-on-call captain position within Ladysmith Fire/Rescue to support operations and training. Staff said the change reflects growth in both membership and call volume, and will help distribute leadership duties among officers.
Website audit funding approved
Council approved a $35,000 contract with Kimbo Design to conduct a comprehensive audit of the town’s website. The review will assess usability, accessibility and information architecture, laying the groundwork for a redesign that meets current web and accessibility standards.
Coun. Duck Paterson opposed the motion, questioning the cost and asking whether an internal review could achieve similar results. Staff said the existing website is outdated and difficult to navigate, and explained that the audit’s scope covers analytics, stakeholder consultation, benchmarking and accessibility compliance which requires specialized expertise. The findings will help guide a full redesign in the coming year to ensure the site is efficient, inclusive and cost-effective to maintain.
Bylaw enforcement updates received
Council received a report outlining enforcement actions at 12 Gatacre St., 422 1st Ave. and 640 1st Ave., three ongoing enforcement files involving vacant or non-compliant properties.
The 12 Gatacre St. property, formerly the Island Hotel, remains vacant and in deteriorating condition. Staff said safety concerns and structural issues are being addressed through continued enforcement and site security measures.
At 422 1st Ave., a boarded-up commercial and residential building has been fenced for safety. Staff reported partial compliance but said additional remediation is required before the site can be considered safe or reoccupied.
The 640 1st Ave. property, formerly used by the Ladysmith Maritime Society, is under review for unauthorized use and non-compliant structures. Staff said all three properties remain under regular monitoring until they meet building and zoning regulations.
Transfer Beach sauna proposal referred back
Council defeated a request from Wildwood Saunas to operate a mobile, wood-burning sauna at Transfer Beach under a temporary permit.
Several councillors cited public access, smoke and environmental concerns, noting the need to balance new recreation ideas with park use guidelines.
A follow-up motion directing staff to explore how the proposal might be accommodated on a limited trial basis was later approved, with Couns. Tricia McKay and Paterson opposed. Staff will return with recommendations.
Aggie Field drainage project moves ahead
Council increased the Aggie Field Drainage Improvement budget from $110,336 to $130,000, awarding the construction contract to ADT Contracting Ltd. for $129,000. The additional $19,664 will be funded from prior-year surplus.
The decision followed debate over the town’s shift from a local contractor to a new provider. Coun. Paterson opposed the motion, arguing that in a time of “buy local” advocacy, municipal projects should prioritize community businesses. Staff explained that the local contractor’s proposed schedule would have risked delaying completion until spring, and that proceeding now will address long-standing drainage issues that have limited field use after heavy rain.
Western Forest Products tax exemption updated
Council amended an earlier resolution with Western Forest Products to include 1221 Rocky Creek Rd. in the company’s existing economic revitalization tax-exemption agreement. Staff said the change was administrative, aligning the property with the company’s main site at 101 Gladden Rd.
Coun. Stevens opposed the motion, expressing concern about transparency and consistency in how tax incentives are applied. He said council should review its approach to corporate revitalization exemptions to ensure fairness for other local businesses investing in the community.
Permissive tax exemption for seniors housing denied
Council voted to remove a new Ladysmith Seniors Housing Society project from the 2026 permissive tax exemption bylaw. The exemption would have supported a proposed seniors’ housing development the non-profit is working to bring forward.
Staff said the project has not yet reached a stage that qualifies it for exemption under the policy. Couns. Paterson and Marsh Stevens opposed the decision, arguing the society’s long-standing record with its existing seniors residences merits council’s support.
Crosswalk motion defeated
A motion from Mayor Deena Beeston to have staff investigate installing a signalized pedestrian crosswalk on North Davis Road near Coronation Mall was defeated 4-3.
Beeston said the area sees heavy pedestrian use from seniors, families and students, and that crossing can feel unsafe due to traffic volume and limited visibility. Several councillors agreed safety is a concern but said the study would duplicate existing transportation planning work and could strain staff and budget resources. Others pointed to nearby crossings and questioned whether another signalized location is necessary.
Public questions
Residents asked about the Colonia Drive access connection and whether the Community Planning Advisory Committee had reviewed the Holland Creek development plan. Staff said timelines and thresholds will be clarified once confirmed.
