Notice of Temporary Use Permit (TUP-2025-01) 140 Trans-Canada Highway
Council will consider issuing a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for LOT A, SECTION 16, RANGE 7, QUAMICHAN DISTRICT, PLAN 48762, located at 140 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan, BC (the location of the former Ramada Hotel).
What is the purpose of the Temporary Use Permit?
The City of Duncan, as the applicant, is proposing to issue a TUP to authorize a temporary winter shelter on the subject property for a 5-month term from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. Temporary winter shelters are seasonal shelters that operate during the colder months to provide safe, warm indoor spaces for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The temporary winter shelter, if permitted, would be located in the conference room in the former Ramada Hotel.
Last winter, an emergency warming centre was operated in the rear parking lot of the former Ramada hotel. The emergency warming centre, which was exempt from zoning and permitting requirements, was only open and operational on 103 nights during harsh winter weather conditions.
Subject to receiving BC Housing funding, the City, in collaboration with the Municipality of North Cowichan, Cowichan Valley Regional District, and Emergency Management Cowichan, is proposing a temporary winter shelter for this winter season in place of another emergency warming centre. The primary benefits of the temporary winter shelter is that it would be open daily during the 5-month term, which is anticipated to provide stable and predictable sheltering to the most vulnerable members of the community through the coldest months of the year. Through the BC Housing program, a temporary winter shelter is better funded and provides a higher level of support to unhoused residents, including meals, and is easier to reliably staff as operating hours are not weather-dependent.
How do I get more information?
The proposed TUP will be available for public inspection from Tuesday, August 19, 2025, to Monday, September 8, 2025, at City Hall, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), and is also available for review on this webpage below. For more information specific to the proposed TUP, please contact the Planning Department, at 250-746-6126 or DevelopmentServices@duncan.ca.
The City will host a drop-in public information meeting on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to ask questions about the proposal and provide informal feedback on the application.
For more information specific to the proposed TUP, please contact the City of Duncan at 250-746-6126 or duncan@duncan.ca.
How do I express my views on this Temporary Use Permit?
Attend the Council meeting at 6:00 pm on Monday, September 8, 2025 at City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC for the opportunity to speak or provide written comments mailed or delivered to City Hall and addressed to Director of Corporate Services, City of Duncan, 200 Craig Street, Duncan BC V9L 1W3 or emailed to paige@duncan.ca before 9:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025. All correspondence received after 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025 and before 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, will be submitted for public record during the meeting.
Notice: TUP-2025-01 140 Trans-Canada Highway
DRAFT Permit: TUP-2025-01 140 Trans-Canada Highway
