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By James Peters

Housing Crunch

Housing program could help unlock Columbia Precinct Lands for development: Kamloops councillor

Feb 13, 2024 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops councillor says the middle-class housing program introduced by the provincial government may finally lead to a plan for a coveted piece of property in the city’s downtown.

Premier David Eby announced a nearly $3-billion program today that is meant to result in more affordable rental units being built for those in the middle income bracket.

The province says it would target land owned by governments, municipalities and non-profits.

Speaking to CFJC Today from the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) Housing Summit in Vancouver, Councillor Nancy Bepple said the city has long pushed for development on the so-called Columbia Precinct Lands at Sixth Avenue and Columbia Street.

“We’re the third-fastest growing city in all of Canada. There are many things that come into play in terms of housing, but one of the biggest things you need is land,” noted Bepple, who added seeing the property developed into housing has been a goal of city council, and the summit is an opportunity to make connections with people who could help.

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The Columbia Precinct property is owned by the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure but has not been used to its capacity in many years.

Meantime, Bepple says the UBCM event is a good opportunity to get clarity around the province’s Bill 44, which would force municipalities to approve up to six dwelling units on single family lots.

“We heard from six other local governments and, similar to us, they have concerns about how building more housing without extra dollars from the province or the federal government for infrastructure,” she said. “That’s a concern.”

Last May, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon put Kamloops on a list of 10 municipalities that need to be more aggressive in building housing. Kamloops was the only city listed outside of the Lower Mainland or Greater Victoria.

Bepple says the city can only approve the plans brought forward by developers.

“Minister Kahlon acknowledged that cities have the ability to approve housing — we don’t build the housing,” she said. “We still need the builders to make that happen. He acknowledged that is an issue. I don’t know if there’s a solution to it, but we are doing what we need to do in terms of giving building permits to builders.”

The summit wraps up Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 14) with an address from federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser.