New 1,350-home subdivision proposed near Kamloops jail

A planned Kamloops subdivision could extend a 1,350-home neighbourhood beyond the local jail.

Kamloops city council will be briefed on an overview of the plan, which would cover more than 36 hectares of undeveloped land west of the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre.

Abutting Kenna Cartwright Park, the neighbourhood is dubbed Kenna Village and would be across the highway from the Iron Mask industrial park.

If approved, staff currently expect $100 million in water system upgrades would be needed to service the area, which would be funded through developer cost charges, according to a report to council. Along with plans for townhomes and potential light industrial use, four hectares of the property would remain park space, with trails connecting to the massive neighbouring park.

According to the report, there have already been environmental and archaeological assessments. Tk’emlups te Secwepemc has also given “general approval,” but asked that the neighbourhood acknowledge Indigenous and ranching heritage through architecture, signage or Indigenous tourism.

Still in early phases, it’s not clear when any construction would be approved should council rezone the area, which has been previously earmarked for industrial use.

City council will consider changing the official community plan to make way for the new subdivision at a Dec. 9 meeting.