Residents of View Royal have until the end of the day on April 15, 2026, to provide their final feedback on the municipality’s updated long-term development plan. This marks the end of the final round of community engagement for the project, which aims to guide housing, land use, and infrastructure decisions in the community over the next two decades.
The Town of View Royal launched the planning process, known as View Royal 2050, in January 2025. The update is necessary to address significant population growth, with the number of residents rising to more than 11,900 since the current plan was established in 2011. The municipality is encouraging citizens to review the full draft document or the summary report and share their thoughts through an online survey at Engage View Royal.
A primary focus of the new plan is the Western Gateway corridor along the Island Highway. The town is considering changing the land use designation for this area from employment-focused to higher-density, a shift that was the subject of a special council meeting on February 24, 2026. This planning also occurs as the municipality works to align with provincial housing legislation, which required updates to community plans and zoning bylaws by the end of 2025. While some neighbouring communities have faced delays, the Town of View Royal has completed these required updates.
The finalization of this plan comes during a period of change for local leadership. Mayor Sid Tobias, who has been leading a challenge against provincial housing laws due to concerns about local infrastructure pressures, announced in October 2025 that he will not seek re-election in October 2026. Additionally, Councillor Damian Kowalewich stepped down from his position on March 31, 2026, to accept a role as the Deputy Chief of the Saanich Police Department. The completed long-term plan is expected to be finalized in summer 2026.
