By James Peters

Plan to subdivide former Thrupp Manor property moves forward over Walsh’s objection

Aug 14, 2018 | 4:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is moving forward with a plan to subdivide the former Thrupp Manor property on the North Shore into single family lots, despite the objection of one city councillor.

Council has voted to send a rezoning application for the city-owned 571 and 591 Royal Avenue lots into five single family lots to public hearing.

The city purchased the properties more than a decade ago, when Thrupp Manor residents moved to the new River Bend seniors facility.

As part of the rezoning, a portion of the land would be designated as parkland and used to access the Rivers Trail.

But Councillor Denis Walsh vociferously opposed sending the rezoning to public hearing, saying it contradicted the recently-passed Official Community Plan (OCP).

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Walsh said the OCP calls for no new single family lots on the North Shore, but supports increased densification such as multi-family developments.

Councillor Arjun Singh, who spent five years helping form the OCP, told Walsh the direction for no new single family lots is just a guideline.

Councillors are directed to maintain at least the appearance of an open mind prior to a public hearing, and Singh advised Walsh he may have to recuse himself, considering he clearly doesn’t support the rezoning.