Housing and property themes a plenty tonight as Council explores range of initiatives

It will be a strong focus on properties, housing and commercial development at tonight's Prince Rupert City Council session with a large list of items on the Agenda for consideration.

Earlier today we noted of the release of some answers to the questions that participants had at the Lax Kw'alaams Housing proposal Public Hearing held in August, the latest notes to serve as homework for those with an interest in the proposed development for whenever City Council restarts the clock on the Public Hearing process.

We've also taken a look at the plans for a Five Year tax exemption for the new Lax Kw'alaams Community Hall on Third Avenue West as well as the City's review of a report on some bylaw plans towards the issue of Renoviction in Prince Rupert.

Yet there is more up for review tonight, with Council set to receive some research on the theme of Local Service Area initiatives, a topic introduced in the past by Council which could see the city and area residents sharing the cost of area improvements to some infrastructure elements.

How that may come about is part of a report for Council from Richard Pucci the Director of Operations and Intergovernmental Relations.

The full documentation for that can be found as part of the Council Agenda on page 10 .

Council will also review a report from Contract Planner Rob Buchan, the topic one which will make the case for waiving the fees for all residential rezoning, Development Permit and Building permit applications for a period of one year until October 1st of 2022.

The recommendations which came out of a housing workshop which Mr. Buchan notes: 

"Presents a robust and ambitious set of actions that are intended to address the local housing challenge. Most of these actions do not require additional budget funding. Council’s consideration of the financial impact of utility billing is requested."

The report and its background elements can be reviewed below:

That report is available from tonight's Agenda on page 47.

For an overview of all of what should be a very active City Council session tonight, see our Council preview tonight. 

With the city now moving back to a reduced access for the public at Council Sessions, there will be no in Chamber attendance allowed for the session tonight, which you can view from the City's Video feed here.