An illustrative concept plan of the new development by the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre. (Image Credit: Placemark Design + Development via City of Kamloops)

By Michael Reeve

DEVELOPMENT REJECTED

Kamloops council nixes proposed 1,350-unit housing development near KRCC

Jan 14, 2026 | 2:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops city council have voted against a massive rezoning application that would have paved the way for a new mixed-use neighbourhood with approximately 1,350 housing units located next to the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre (KRCC).

The 4-4 tie vote – which amounts to a defeat under the Community Charter – came following a public hearing Tuesday (Jan 13) evening. Kamloops councillors were being asked to amend the city’s Official Community Plan so that plans for the development could move forward.

Proposed site (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

The developer had proposed using three lots, totaling just over 36 acres, to build out a light industrial park, beside a mixture of residential and commercial. Following a lengthy debate, council denied the application in a split vote.

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“There wasn’t a lot of opposition to this particular development, what there was I think was a lot of uncertainty as to what about the infrastructure challenges that come with a development like this,” said Deputy Mayor Kelly Hall. “This development is quite a bit different than what we are used to in this city and it had some visionary thoughts about how they could develop light industrial with a mixed used of residential.”

Hall was one of four councilors who voted in favour of the project, along with councillors Stephen Karpuk, Margot Middleton and Nancy Bepple. Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson and councillors Dale Bass, Bill Sarai and Katie Neustaeter voted no.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly was not present because of a conflict of interest as he heads up the company developing the nearby Iron Mask Light Industrial Park.

Hall told CFJC the plot of land has long laid vacant, and he hopes the developer will return to the horseshoe with an updated plan in the future.

“I’m hoping that the developer went away and understood the objections that came from council,” added Hall. “And when he comes back maybe he can help educate the council a little bit with respect to some of the challenges that we saw from council’s perspective.”