Resource announcements
And third time's a charm for student-to-senior housing
The natural resources and future fuel forums are in town, and with that has come various announcements/updates on resource projects around the city.
Among them:
The premier also came to town, talking about the possible trade war with the United States. He also visited the Tidwater Renewables refinery site to discuss issues around double dipping identified by MLA Kiel Giddens and gave an update on electrificatoin projects in northern B.C.
Third time’s a charm for senior’s housing request
A bit of backstory here, reiterated from a previous newsletter, written in February 2023:
A 256-unit student housing building in the University Heights neighbourhood was first proposed publicly back in March 2021. By June it had received the support of city council, despite some neighbourhood opposition, precisely because of what it offered: high density, affordable student housing in a post-secondary neighbourhood that would make UNBC accessible by those living there without a car — something planning documents indicate is needed. And, it did look pretty cool: Sleek and urban and surrounded by forest.
But there were also problems. In May 2021 the Citizen reported the developers had actually wanted to build closer to downtown but were redirected to University Heights by the city, who also sold the the land in June 2020 for below-market value. And while part of the deal was that Hub actually build a 256-unit student housing within two years, by last fall it became clear that not only was that building nowhere near done, but also the proposal was now for a 128-unit housing complex “oriented toward” senior’s, rather than student, housing.
Council turned them down at the time, which you can read all about. They were quite adament about it, too. They turned the proposal down not once, but twice. But nearly two years have gone by, now, and things have changed:
Coun. Cori Ramsay said she had received correspondence as a University of Northern BC alumna discussing the school’s intent to expand student housing on campus. Because of those plans, she said, she was approving the application.
Coun. Tim Bennett said he still supports the application, with the land already having been cleared and ready for development.
Coun. Ron Polillo said while he was against the application last time, the developer worked to revise its design since then and spoke with several local organizations who indicated general support for the development.
He also cited the federal government’s recent reduction in the number of international students allowed into the country since the initial application
Coun. Brian Skakun said he was one of several councillors who attended an open house last year. He praised the developer’s work to update the idea and voiced his support.
Coun. Kyle Sampson said he was in favour to advance work on a site that has sat only partially developed for years. However, he said he would like road access to the site to be improved and said he was disappointed to not see that factor addressed. Another disappointment for Sampson was a lack of commercial space on the site.
Coun. Trudy Klassen, serving as acting mayor, said she was supportive as well.
More in the Citizen story above, CKPG and My Prince George Now.
News roundup:
Prince George RCMP more proactive in 2024, says officer-in-charge. And Prince George RCMP Superintendent presents to City Council on 2024, looking ahead to 2025.
Multiple units engaged for search warrant execution in Giscome.
Cougars Ravensbergen rated top North American goalie in mid-term draft rankings.
No jail time for shoplifter who stole items for daughters he hadn't seen in years.
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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.