File photo (Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Michael Reeve

HOUSING BYLAW CHANGES

Split vote sees Kamloops council approve legislated housing changes

May 28, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — After the provincial government passed Bills 47 and 44 in an effort to tackle the housing crisis in B.C. last year, municipal government were given until June to update their bylaws to comply with the new regulations.

The two new legislated changes affect densification with regards to transit hubs and allowing up to four units on a single family lot. While Kamloops council was generally in favour of the housing initiatives, there was concern raised about the infrastructure needed to make it a reality and whether the province would be providing dollars to make it happen.

“I think we lose the uniqueness of our community and what Kamloops is,” said Councillor Mike O’Reilly. “We will lose what we are known to be in different areas, and I really have concern with that. And as Councillor (Katie) Neustaeter says, if we adopt this and it goes through then our leverage point is gone to get money. They say, ‘Well, you already adopted it. You have to do it.’ And it is going to go directly back on taxpayers and directly back through (development cost charges).”

In a split decision, council did vote to approve the first and second readings of the bylaw with councillors O’Reilly, Margot Middleton, Dale Bass and Kelly Hall in opposition.

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Councillor Neustaeter voted in favour after raising a number of potential concerns.

“Does that look like an expression of concern that comes alongside with this submission of this report? Does it look like a clear expectation about the dollars we are going to require to be able to get the infrastructure needs met? Is it going to look like the fact that 25 per cent of our lands can not accommodate this infill that we are approving — which is a little counterintuitive?” stated Neustaeter.

A public hearing will be held before the changes are officially adopted or rejected next month.