Mixed industrial-residential development near KRCC moves to public hearing

May 26, 2026 | 5:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops residents will soon get a chance to have their say on a proposed large-scale development just north of the highway. It’s the second time the Iron Mask North development has come forward to council after being turned down in January.

A 7-1 vote from council will see a public hearing scheduled for proposed residential units along with light industrial lots out near Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre (KRCC).

“Going forward, this application is only for light industrial, so that ‘medium’ was removed,” stated Development, Engineering and Sustainability Director Marvin Kwiatkowski. “And then the other [change] was overall looking at increasing the industrial area and reducing the amount of residential. The first application had 1,350 units, this is reduced to 900 units.”

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson was alone in his opposition, citing concern the project could be halted before it is finished and a lack of grant funding for infrastructure. Councillor Mike O’Reilly recused himself based on his connection to industrial land.

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Concept plan for the development (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

“I’m in favour of this again, wanting to hear from our citizens, what their thoughts are, so moving this to public hearing is logical,” said Councillor Stephen Karpuk. “I don’t think we should be the ones that dictate all the things that the market will bear.”

It was noted that while not directly tied to this project alone, growth in the southwest sector of the city will increase the need for capital investments around utilities.

“Again, it’s not $100 million right now – that is long-term $100 million. We aren’t looking at putting $100 million into the next DCC bylaw update. That will probably come in future bylaw updates,” said Kwiatkowski. “It just means we are ramping up the water requirements instead of maybe being at a 30-year (window), it’s at a 20-year or it’s a 15-year. It’s just ramping up those requirements for the water system upgrade.”

A date has not yet been set for the public hearing.

(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

by Michael Reeve

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Mixed industrial-residential development near KRCC moves to public hearing

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