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

By Victor Kaisar

New Neighbourhood Plans

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

Dec 5, 2025 | 11:56 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops city council is being asked to tentatively approve a massive rezoning application that would pave the way for a new mixed-use neighbourhood with approximately 1,350 housing units located next to the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre (KRCC).

At Tuesday’s (Dec. 9) meeting, city councillors are being asked to forward the rezoning application 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 totalling 36.3 hectares in the Iron Mask neighbourhood of Kamloops. It’ll also be located in proximity to Kenna Cartwright Nature Park and the proposed arena multiplex in Dufferin.

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

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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 Mid-Rise Commercial rezoning will include mixed commercial/multi-family buildings, while the Mid-Rise Urban area will include a mix of ground-oriented townhomes and duplexes and mid-rise apartment buildings.

The Light Industrial zone will allow for a mix of trades and technology, research and development, warehousing, wholesale distribution, storage of materials and equipment and other light industrial activities with compatible commercial uses.

Specific uses in the Medium and Heavy Industrial zone will defined during the zoning amendment application process, the report added.

As for the Parks and Open Space zone, about 0.6 hectares will be set aside for a neighbourhood park with the rest 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.

That could include restrictions on maximum building height and form, identifying the range of commercial uses permitted, or restrictions on the processing and/or storage of heavy industrial products.

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.

Concerns raised were traffic issues, including the speed and volume of traffic 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.

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