Proposal aims to expand urban feel of Thompson Rivers University

KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University wants to give the university a more urban character and is moving forward with an application to make that happen.

The Thompson Rivers University Community Trust has applied for the university land in Kamloops to be rezoned to allow for a wider use of land, including different types of residences and some commercial use. The application is aimed at bringing the zoning of the university better in line with the university’s own master plan.

Currently the property is zoned for post-secondary use, which limits exactly how the land is used. The application says the majority of planned uses are allowed under the previous zoning, but under conditions the requested zoning would not have.

The trust is proposing a new zone, called the Thompson Rivers University Comprehensive Development Zone, be created for the university lands. 

The application says this will allow the campus to become more diverse, vital, sustainable and interesting while generating revenue for the university. While the application doesn't list specific zones, the university's vice-president of finance, Matt Milovick, has previously said the goal is to create a higher density village at the university. 

The university held a town hall in March to discuss the idea of a university village plan.

The university was last rezoned in 2008 for post-secondary education.

The request to take the rezoning plan to public hearing goes before council today, April 26.

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