Kimberley City Council has approved a development permit paving the way for six duplex units along Fernie Street.
City officials said the vacant lot has been the subject of a few development applications recently.
“We had a previous application come in, but due to our new zoning bylaws that make housing more affordable and easy to build, the developer came back and fine-tuned the idea,” said Kimberley CAO Scott Sommerville. “They put in a second permit application that was approved.”
In total, the housing complex will provide 17 housing units to the community.
“Five of these parcels would each consist of one duplex unit, and one attached and one detached accessory dwelling unit, and the sixth parcel would consist of one duplex unit and one detached accessory dwelling,” said city officials. ” Each duplex is proposed to have three bedrooms, and each accessory dwelling unit is proposed to have two bedrooms.”
Sommerville said the housing complex fills a dire need in the community.
“Much like all of Canada, Kimberley needs housing. Generally, the more there is on the market, the lower the prices,” said Sommerville. “We’re in desperate need of housing, like most of the municipalities around the East Kootenay.”
This was one of three housing proposals approved on Monday night’s council meeting.
