Proposed 120 unit apartment (credit - A&T Development)

By Michael Reeve

SIX STOREY APARTMENT

Proposed Valleyview apartment takes step forward amid neighbourhood concerns

Dec 11, 2024 | 4:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — The opportunity for public submissions will soon be available for the proposed six story apartment building on Glenwood Drive, across from Valleyview Secondary School, following a resolution from council on Tuesday (Dec 10).

While new legislation prevents the city from holding a public hearing on the overall project, residents will have a chance to speak to the variance to increase the build from four stories to six and increase density to allow for 120 units. The date for public submissions will be set if the project’s zoning amendment receives approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The apartment building proposed for the corner of Glenwood Drive and Oriole Road took another procedural step forward on Tuesday (Dec. 10), passing through three readings of a zoning bylaw and beginning a variance permit application. It does have opposition from neighbours, but new regulations could mean six stories is a best case scenario for those opposed.

“We understand there is resistance, but the reality is this housing crisis is real, and it’s not going away. As a company, we are in a position to do something about this. We have another potentially 250 rental units in our pipeline, that if we can make the numbers work, we will go ahead on,” said Gary Reed, VP of Development with the proponent A&T Project Developments.

Two and Out

PETERS: School district budget roller coaster takes another turn

18h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Where to find dishes from different cultures in Kamloops

19h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: April 10, 2025

20h ago

Those in the surrounding Valleyview neighbourhoods have been raising concerns about the proposed height, while also calling to question safety concerns along the nearby streets. That includes a petition signed by 362 residents opposed to the project.

“It is truly a sad day when the people of our city are not heard. Three-hundred-sixty-two people signed that petition and you guys have the power to hear the people,” said Craig Jefferson. “Allowing a six story building in this location creates significant problems, particularly with parking and the strain on local infrastructure. The scale of development is simply not appropriate for Glenwood Drive. It disregards the needs and concerns of the surrounding community and prioritizes density over livability.”

The developers spoke directly to why six stories is in their current plan.

“Construction costs have never been higher, land costs have never been higher, it’s never been harder to produce rental units in the marketplace. Never. And four stories sounds nice on paper, but to go from six stories to four stories pushes our costs of construction up 20 per cent. What that translates into is rents that aren’t viable,” said Reed.

It’s important to note on this project, the City of Kamloops has plans to create a Valleyview transit hub just down the street from the proposed location in the next year or two. Depending on the exact final location of that hub, the subject property along Glenwood could be within 200 metres. That means it will fall within new provincial legislation, which would allow the developer, should they choose — although they haven’t indicated they would — to build 10 stories on this site without the need for any city approval.