A Kamloops-based developer is looking to build a five-storey, 95-unit rental apartment building on Foothills Boulevard.
City council has voted in favour of a development variance permit to allow the project to go ahead at 1775 Foothills Blvd.
In a letter to city council, Station One Architects senior associate Leon Schroeder said the building is the second phase of a rental apartment complex already under construction on the site. The architect firm was acting as a representative for Kelson Investments Ltd., a Kamloops-based company which owns 50 apartment buildings in B.C. and Alberta, including 10 in Prince George.
“The units will be a wide variety of sizes and mixes, including studio, 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom plus den, and 2 bedroom units,” Schroeder wrote. “This wide variety of unit types will be an asset to the community in addressing a number of different family sizes and needs, which is needed in the area. Also, the number of adaptable units provided greatly exceeds the requirements.”
The building will include one level of underground parking, Schroeder wrote. Kelson Investments also owns the Forest Glen apartment complex immediately north of the new development, on Glen Shee Road.
City director of planning and development Deanna Wasnik said the development variance permit was needed to increase the allowable maximum height of the building from 15 metres to 18.62 metres and increase the maximum number of stories from four to five.
“The proposed changes are not expected to have a negative impact on land use,” Wasnik said.
Given that the development backs onto University Way, which rises quite rapidly, the impact on neighbouring properties should be minimal, she said.
“Even thought there will not be much of an impact to the area, was there notification to the public?” Coun. Brian Skakun asked.
The city did mail out notification to surround property owners, Wasnik said. No letters or comments were submitted as of Monday’s council meeting.
Council unanimously approved the development variance permit.
