The District of Elkford has adopted an amendment to its official community plan (OCP) that would allow an extra floor on buildings constructed in the downtown core.
The amendment will increase the height maximum from three storeys to four in the downtown area.
This change comes as a BC Builds project is in the works for an apartment complex with ground-for commercial space.
“We know this is going to support the Elk Valley Family Society who are behind the downtown BC Builds project, and we hope it’s going to be a signal to get other developers into town,” said Mayor Steve Fairbairn.
“With the increased costs of building, having an extra floor to rent out is a good thing.”
However, while the amendment was made to accommodate the BC Builds project, a building permit application has not been submitted yet.
“It’s frustrating to see the influence of external bureaucracies and how they may or may not have the best interest at heart for getting things done,” said Fairbairn.
“I’m speaking on behalf of a bureaucracy being frustrated at other bureaucracies. We’re trying to facilitate this stuff and we’re trying to do it quickly and simply. We keep doing these things and we’re going to keep waiting.”
The amendment was first introduced in November 2024 and the District held a public hearing to gauge resident’s opinions.
Fairbairn says the OCP amendment will have more sweeping implications beyond the forthcoming BC Builds project.
“I think it will improve the financial viability for someone who is interested in building. I think it would also increase the chances of getting funding out of places like BC Housing and the CMHC because you can build more purpose-built rentals,” said Fairbairn.
“It makes it more worthwhile for someone to invest and bring in their crews to build. For an owner, it would increase the income stream down the road.”
Fairbairn hopes this change will show that Elkford is willing to make accommodations for any prospective developer.
“Council is more than willing to listen to someone coming in with plans for other lots in town,” said Fairbairn.
“We need places for people to live. We need rentals, different footprints, sizes, something unique, something different. We want to facilitate those things and we want builders to have a chance to make a profit.”
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