Council approved a major rental apartment building complex to be built near the University of the Fraser Valley.
The project would see 204 units built in three different buildings north of King Road and immediately west of the King Road Connector. The buildings would be four, five and six storeys tall. Commercial space would also be included on the ground floor of one of the buildings.
When the proposal first came before council, it was met with positive reviews. Councillors hoped the project would help address the region’s exceptionally low rental vacancy rate.
On Monday, Coun. Sandy Blue said: “We have a housing shortfall generally and we certainly have a rental shortfall so seeing a purpose-built rental building like this … I think it really is necessary.”
The proposal met with little resistance at Monday’s public hearing, with just one resident questioning why councillors had already spoken in favour of the project.
Mayor Henry Braun said council will comment in favour of projects that do closely align with the city’s policies and the official community plan.
“It is part of the U-District, it’s in a great location,” he said. Braun and all eight councillors voted to approve the project.