By Victor Kaisar

New Neighbourhood Plans

Massive 1,350-unit housing development proposed next to Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre

Dec 5, 2025 | 11:56 AM

KAMLOOPS — A proposal for a new mixed-use neighbourhood with approximately 1,350 housing units located next to the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre (KRCC) will go before City Council for discussion next week.

At Tuesday’s (Dec. 9) meeting, city councillors are being asked to forward the rezoning application for 36.3 hectares to a future public hearing.

“This Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment application represents the first step in developing the subject properties to create a mixed-use neighbourhood consisting of approximately 1,350 residential units, neighbourhood commercial, an industrial park, a neighbourhood park and greenways connecting to the adjacent Kenna Cartwright Nature Park,” the staff report said.

The proposed development is slated to rise on three properties – 2440, 2450 and 2600 Trans-Canada Hwy. West – in the Iron Mask neighbourhood of Kamloops. It’ll also be located in proximity to Kenna Cartwright Park and the arena multiplex in Dufferin.

The closest bus stop is located approximately 1.3 km away on Hillside Drive, though transit routes will be extended in future years to include stops near this development, if it goes ahead, and the arena multiplex.

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Numerous Rezones Sought

According to the city, the application proposes to rezone 9.8 hectares from Future Development to Light Industrial, 14 hectares to Medium and Heavy Industrial, 2.1 hectares to Mid-Rise Commercial, 6.3 hectares to Mid-Rise Urban, as well as 4.2 hectares to Parks and Open Space.

“It should be noted that the developer is not proposing any heavy industrial uses, but KAMPLAN groups medium and heavy industrial into one Land Use designation,” the report added. “Specific permitted uses will be defined during the zoning amendment application process, which has separate zones for general (medium) and heavy industrial.”

While a specific breakdown of the housing units is not included in the application, the development is expected to consist of mixed-use multi-family buildings as well as townhomes and duplexes.

The Light Industrial zone will allow for a mix of uses connected to trades and technology, research and development, warehousing, wholesale distribution and storage. Specific uses in the Medium and Heavy Industrial zone will be defined during the zoning amendment application process, the report added.

Approximately 0.6 hectares will also be set aside for a neighbourhood park with the rest of the Parks and Open Space zone going towards linear greenways to protect areas of ecological significance — including wildlife corridors — and to allow for active and passive recreation.

“The density of development and uses will be defined through the rezoning process, which may limit the scope of uses from what is specified in the land use designations,” the report added, noting that could include restrictions on maximum building height and form as well as the range of commercial uses permitted on the property.

“Given the location within the city’s entrance corridor, the potential impact on visual quality and factors such as noise, dust and traffic must be considered. Development must also address constraints, including environmentally sensitive areas, steep slopes, availability of city servicing, potential presence of archaeological sites, and access.”

Public Input to Come

The proponent of the development will also be required to address transportation, utility servicing, proposed uses, and archaeological and environmental considerations of the property through subsequent rezoning and subdivision applications, the report added.

City staff note the applicant held an open house on site in early September to gauge public feedback on the proposed development.

Attendees were reportedly in favour of a walkable neighbourhood with diverse housing types and a mix of local commercial and light industrial uses as well as the retention of natural site features.

The major concern raised was to do with traffic, including the speed and volume of vehicles on Hillside Drive and at the intersection with Copperhead Drive.

“It should be noted that an additional opportunity for public consultation will be provided through the required public hearing process for the Official Community Plan amendment application,” the report said.

“The future rezoning application may, at council’s discretion, also require a public hearing.”

City staff also note if the proposed land use change is approved, it will “significantly accelerate” off-site infrastructure improvements to the water supply system in that part of Kamloops.

Those improvements – three booster stations and approximately 10 km of large diameter watermain – would require $100 million in additional projects be added to future DCC Bylaws, the report added.

A Traffic Impact Assessment for the site is being reviewed by both the City and the Ministry of Transport and Transit. The findings will be incorporated into a larger transportation study which will also consider impacts connected to the arena multiplex project.

“Together, these projects will trigger upgrades at the Copperhead interchange of the Trans-Canada Highway West as well as Hillside Drive, which will require developer contributions,” the report said.

You can read the entire proposal going before Tuesday’s council meeting here.