Council meeting summary - December 19, 2022

Here are some highlights from the December 19, 2022 regular City Council Meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – consult the December 19, 2022 Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.

Monthly building permit and development permit summary for November 2022

• The number and value of significant building permits (residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional) issued in November 2022 exceeded figures recorded during the same period last year (2021).
• Forty permits with a total value of approximately $18.5 million were issued last month compared to 29 permits worth $13.8 million in November 2021.
• Permits issued for each development as are follows (estimated construction values are listed in the report)
  • Residential – Eight new single-family dwellings, four single-family dwelling alterations, four new duplex dwellings, and four multi-family alterations.
  • Commercial, industrial, and institutional – Two commercial building alterations, six new industrial buildings, two institutional alterations.
• The City also approved three development permits:
  • A new industrial warehouse.
  • A new addition to an existing industrial building.
  • Industrial façade improvements.

 Civic Core Plan – December 2022 update

• Council received an update from staff on the selection of consultant services for the Civic Core District plan and were given an overview of the consulting firm’s proposal.
• Council directed Administration to proceed with the Plan in March 2022 and Administration selected Stantec Consulting as the lead proponent in September 2022 following a request for proposal (RFP) competition.
• The Civic Core District Plan is a continuation of the 2009 Smart Growth on the Ground Concept Plan and is slated for completion by Stantec by December 31, 2023.
• The Civic Core District Plan aims to expand the existing Civic Plaza, expand downtown greenspace, and provide an opportunity for a downtown transit exchange.
• An expanded Civic Plaza will also grant opportunities to address challenges associated with aging facilities and infrastructure like the Kopar Memorial Arena, the PG Playhouse, Studio 2088, etc.

Mega park update

• In response to a life cycle cost analysis report Council voted to have staff bring the report back to Council (with more information) for consideration in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023.
• The Prince George Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Prince George, and Colliers Project Leaders are proposing a six-acre multi-use “mega park” be developed at the corner of Ospika Boulevard and 22^nd Avenue.
• Design and play structure costs would be borne by the three partners with the City responsible for maintenance and insurance on top of providing the land and services to the property.
• Administration presented a life cycle cost analysis on the proposed “mega park” that outlines financial implications associated with the project, including long-term considerations like maintenance costs over the course of the park’s lifespan.
• The report stated the ownership cost in a 50-year time period is estimated to be over $68 million (approximately $1.3 million a year). The figure includes operating and maintenance costs ($22.6 million) and capital renewal costs ($41.6 million) over the same time period.
• According to the analysis, although the park will likely continue serving Prince George beyond 50 years, costs associated with the 50^th year and the final year were not included under the assumption that at year 50 the park’s assets will not be renewed.

Official Community Plan (OCP) review project

• Council directed Administration to proceed with the Official Community Plan review as described in the “Official Community Plan Review Project” report from November 23, 2022.
• Administration will seek consult services to lead the OCP review project, which will engage citizens on shaping an outlook for Prince George’s future on topics such as:
  • Land development.
  • Social development.
  • The economy.
  • The environment.
• The project is anticipated to start in 2023 and continue into 2024.
• The project will consider topics like:
  • The proposed Massey Drive and Foothills Boulevard road extensions (directed by Council on October 3, 2022)
  • The designation of “Ginter’s Meadow” from 18^th Avenue to Ferry Avenue as “Parks and Open Space” (directed by Council on October 3, 2022)
  • Greenspace and tree protection (directed by Council on December 5, 2022).