Kamloops council approves permit for Tranquille affordable housing building

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council authorized a development variance permit for a 40-unit, multi-family affordable housing rental building at the intersection of Tranquille and Oak Roads.

The permit is held pending a $139,000 landscape security payment, $150,000 cash payment in lieu of parking, and a housing agreement for five social units and 35 affordable units, plus adoption of a housing agreement bylaw.

The proposal at 501 Tranquille Rd. was discussed thoroughly at the July 20 council meeting. City staff’s first recommendation was for council to deny a development variance permit for Eas Holdings Limited due to parking restrictions. The development requested a reduction of required parking spaces from 41 to 16, and to increase the maximum parking variance for cash in lieu of a parking space from 10 per cent to 61.

On Tuesday (Aug. 17), council voted 7-1 in favour. Councillor Arjun Singh declared a conflict of interest. Mayor Ken Christian was the only nay vote as he believes the parking variance is too large.

In council chambers, Councillor Sadie Hunter says this is the time for the city to try something different and see how it works.

“People who move to this building, or this kind of development, will do so knowing there’s no parking,” Hunter says. “They’ll be the types of individuals who will take transit and walk and really enhance that corridor. If we’re looking to encourage people to live on the North Shore, and to invest and believe in it, then we need to also make that investment… providing an opportunity for somebody with a vision to come in and try something different.”

The city received eight letters in favour of the Tranquille housing project, two letters agains, and a petition with 79 signatures showing support.