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COLLINS: Airport changes done the right way
WITH ALL THE DEMANDS for supportive and low-income housing, and mandates from the province to reach housing goals, it’s nice for City Council to have an easy decision to make once in a while.
Fears of increased crime and increased loitering in public areas have grown, blamed in part on increased homelessness. These projects often become tough for Council to decide which route to take. But approving things early in the process and clearing out opposition with good community planning and discussion among stakeholders can overcome a lot of objections.
And that’s what’s happening with the development of a large hunk of land near the airport. The City has basically greenlighted this property for a number of potential uses. Those uses include potential hangers, proper emergency services, office space, maybe a fast-food restaurant and a lot of room for light industrial use.
Light industrial land is in short supply in the Kamloops area. Some new areas are coming on stream in various locations, including Valleyview, Iron Mask, and potentially in Westsyde or Aberdeen. Aside from initial thoughts about what exactly will be built, this is an opportunity to invest some serious dollars into developing land for its best use. It’s not suitable for housing because it’s too close to the airport. So light industrial or commercial development of some sort seems to be the next best option.