Sooke council

Calls to establish an off-leash dog park in Sooke were answered by Sooke council last week. The new facility will be located at Ponds Park Corridor. (Pixabay.com)

Council approves Sooke’s first dog park

Facility expected to open in late fall at Pond’s Park Corridor

 

An artists rendering of the proposed Aragon Properties development in Sooke’s town centre shows a friendly, walkable neighbourhood. (Contributed - Aragon Properties)

Sooke council approves development permit for 132 housing units

The development service permit is dependent on several conditions

 

Sooke district council eyes a development plan for John Phillips Memorial Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Lions eye community centre at John Phillips Park in Sooke

Council cannot OK a lease without the approval of electors

 

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Sooke councillors bill district $6,381.95 for expenses

Local governments must disclose expensesa and salaries by June 30

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Sooke councillors have met virtually since Nov. 23 due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations. Council meetings have occurred without the public in physical attendance since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. (YouTube)

Sooke council meetings will return to Municipal Hall starting July 12

Meetings conducted remotely since Nov. 23

Sooke councillors have met virtually since Nov. 23 due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations. Council meetings have occurred without the public in physical attendance since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. (YouTube)
Sooke councillors debate the issues online during a May 10, 2021 council meeting. (YouTube/District of Sooke)

Sooke mayor eyes provincial plan to keep online council meetings

Province wants online council meetings expanded in B.C.

Sooke councillors debate the issues online during a May 10, 2021 council meeting. (YouTube/District of Sooke)
Sooke district council has approved $88,925 in community grants to be shared between 24 local not-for-profit and community organizations for 2021. (Pixabay.com)

Sooke council earmarks $88,925 in grants for community groups

Mayor Maja Tait this has been an ‘extraordinary time’ due to the pandemic

Sooke district council has approved $88,925 in community grants to be shared between 24 local not-for-profit and community organizations for 2021. (Pixabay.com)
The District of Sooke has launched a new online community engagement platform, letstalksooke.ca, where residents can share feedback and stay up to date on projects and initiatives that are happening in their community. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke launches online engagement portal

The District of Sooke has launched a new online community engagement platform…

The District of Sooke has launched a new online community engagement platform, letstalksooke.ca, where residents can share feedback and stay up to date on projects and initiatives that are happening in their community. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The site of the proposed rental housing development at 2197 Otter Point Rd. (District of Sooke)

District of Sooke approves development with 77 rental units

New parking lot for John Phillips Memorial Park included in project

The site of the proposed rental housing development at 2197 Otter Point Rd. (District of Sooke)
A hand-painted roadside sign points to a farmstand. The District of Sooke’s proposed business bylaw is “confusing and ambiguous” when it comes to farmstands, according to a local farmer. (Lauren Krohn - Metro Creative)

Farmstand operator scrutinizes Sooke’s proposed business licence bylaw

Bylaw makes it difficult for local farmers to compete with businesses outside Sooke

A hand-painted roadside sign points to a farmstand. The District of Sooke’s proposed business bylaw is “confusing and ambiguous” when it comes to farmstands, according to a local farmer. (Lauren Krohn - Metro Creative)
(Pixabay photo)

Sooke council OK’s road variance on East Sooke Road

Roadwork needed for new 19-strata lot subdivision

(Pixabay photo)
Sooke council took the next step in growing the downtown core by voting to rezone the eastern half of Lot A, located along Wadams Way. The land will include a library, with potential for affordable seniors housing, commercial storefronts and apartment units. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke eyes expansion of town core

Lot A development opens door for new library, other facilities

Sooke council took the next step in growing the downtown core by voting to rezone the eastern half of Lot A, located along Wadams Way. The land will include a library, with potential for affordable seniors housing, commercial storefronts and apartment units. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The District of Sooke hopes to fast-track the Otter Point sidewalk project with a federal-provincial grant. (Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke applies for sidewalk funding for busy traffic corridor

$2.1-million project eyed for Otter Point Road

The District of Sooke hopes to fast-track the Otter Point sidewalk project with a federal-provincial grant. (Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke council has sent a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy calling for a province-wide ban on the use of rat poison. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke calls for ban on rat poison across B.C.

Letter of support follows similar move by City of North Vancouver

Sooke council has sent a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy calling for a province-wide ban on the use of rat poison. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke is one of eight RCMP-serviced municipalities in the southern Vancouver Island being asked by the province to start paying the bills for E-Comm’s police dispatch service by 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province wants Sooke to cover police 911 costs by 2022

Sooke is one of eight RCMP-serviced municipalities in southern Island rollout plan

Sooke is one of eight RCMP-serviced municipalities in the southern Vancouver Island being asked by the province to start paying the bills for E-Comm’s police dispatch service by 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke council will reconsider its virtual meetings in February, after provincial orders are expected to ease up. (YouTube - District of Sooke)

Sooke council to reconsider virtual meetings in February

Extended provincial orders in place until Feb. 5

Sooke council will reconsider its virtual meetings in February, after provincial orders are expected to ease up. (YouTube - District of Sooke)
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Sooke taxpayers brace for 3.3 per cent tax hike

Council set to adopt 2021 municipal budget

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Sooke district council has OK’d plans for two affordable housing projects. (YouTube - District of Sooke)

Sooke council approves parking variance for affordable housing developments, despite concerns from residents

Councillor says the projects address a crisis with the lack of affordable housing

Sooke district council has OK’d plans for two affordable housing projects. (YouTube - District of Sooke)
Sooke council has unanimously voted to hike their salaries by five per cent in 2021. Also, they are directing staff to investigate creating a formula for future mayor and council pay wages. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke moves ahead with five per cent pay hike for council

Councillors ask staff to come up with formula for future pay raises

Sooke council has unanimously voted to hike their salaries by five per cent in 2021. Also, they are directing staff to investigate creating a formula for future mayor and council pay wages. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kim Metzger, president of the Sooke Food Bank Society, said she’s pleasantly surprised to find out that Sooke council voted to gift a $10,000 donation to the food bank. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Council donates $10,000 to food bank

Donation comes from $80,000 contingency fund

Kim Metzger, president of the Sooke Food Bank Society, said she’s pleasantly surprised to find out that Sooke council voted to gift a $10,000 donation to the food bank. (File - Sooke News Mirror)