Here are some highlights from the July 22, 2024, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Monthly building permit and development permit summary
Council received the monthly building permit statistics for June. The value of permits issued in June 2024 is double the value of June 2023 at $20.9 million. The total value of all permits so far in 2024 is $160 million.
The building permits issued in June include several residential and commercial projects. The construction values reflect the construction of the building or structure and do not include the cost of any mechanical equipment.
Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Development
- Six commercial building alterations ($1,553,000);
- One new industrial building ($35,000); and
- One institutional building alteration ($175,000).
Residential Development
- Five multi-family dwellings ($16,460,000);
- Two new mobile dwellings ($330,000); and
- Three new single-family dwellings ($1,515,260).
Rezoning for airport hotel
Council gave the first three readings to a rezoning bylaw that would facilitate a hotel development at the airport. The proposed hotel would cater to airport users on-site and provide overnight accommodation for those transferring flights.
Downtown Strategy team update
Council received an update on the Downtown Strategy. The Downtown Strategy was presented to Council at the February 5, 2024 meeting laying out the framework and Principles that will help move the community’s downtown towards its vision of being a destination and gathering place of business and culture, while recognizing the challenges facing that vision.
The strategy's recommended first step of establishing an implementation team has been completed with Downtown Prince George as the lead and the City, Tourism Prince George, and the Chamber of Commerce as team members. This team has since met bi-monthly and has developed terms of reference, summarized projects recently, currently, or planned implemented by their respective organizations that align with the goals of the strategy, as well as identifying additional initiatives that could be pursued should there be sufficient support and resources to carry them out.
The need for a joint, regional response to local challenges
Council voted in favor of organizing meetings with local representatives from all orders of government with the goal of developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help address regional gaps.
The Mayor’s report states that compounding crises in health care, mental health, drug addictions, and natural disasters overlap with all levels of jurisdiction and need joint leadership. The first priority suggested for consideration under the MOU may be advocating for mental health and addiction treatment options in the region.
Human Trafficking and Intimate Partner Violence
Council approved a draft motion to declare intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic to raise awareness for this serious social issue. Statistics Canada data (per 100,000 population) shows a rate of intimate partner violence in British Columbia of 292.
Council also signed the statement of support to join the BC Human Trafficking Prevention Network. The network serves as a catalyst for change by fostering collaboration among various players who pledge to raise awareness through training and public communication about human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other forms of coercion.
2025 Council meeting schedule
Council approved the 2025 meeting schedule. The Community Charter requires that each year Council make available to the public a schedule of the date, time, and place of its regular Council meetings. Amendments to the Council meeting calendar must also be approved by Council resolution. Public notice of the schedule will be posted at the public notice posting place in City Hall and published on the City’s website, as required by legislation.
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Eric Depenau, Director, Administrative Services
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Email: media@princegeorge.ca