Regular Council Meeting–May 6, 2025

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society

Leslie Brochu, President, and Ann McCarthy, Vice-President, Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society, provided Council with information on the gap in cancer supportive care in Kamloops and solutions underway for Kamloops cancer patients through a partnership between InspireHealth and the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation. The Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society’s objectives are to facilitate an InspireHealth cancer supportive care centre for Kamloops and area patients, continue to address gaps in services, and develop an integrated community navigation network to make it easier for Kamloops and area patients to access cancer supportive care services.

Council passed motions to respond to the delegation with a letter of support and a letter of thanks/recognition to the Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society’s board.

Consideration of Bylaws

Affordable Housing Development on Oak Road

Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-94, 2025 and Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 64-3, 2025 to support the development of 29-unit affordable housing development at 210 Oak Road. In relation to this project, Council also authorized issuance of Development Permit No. DPM01036.

  • View the full report on the project from the April 15, 2025, regular Council meeting.

Bylaw to Amend Council Policy Regarding Public Input

Council adopted Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 59-3, 2025, and then approved Council Policy No. GGL-32, Public Input, Participation establishing a set of guidelines for public input in  Council meetings. The new policy requires pre-registration in order to address Council and sets limits on the length and quantity of presentations.

Note: Consideration of Bylaws reconvened after the 7:00 pm Public Hearing

Two New Multi-Unit Residential Buildings on Summit Drive

Council adopted Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 46-28, 2025, and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-95, 2025, to support the development of two additional multi-unit residential buildings at 1415 Summit Drive with 202 total units. The subject property is an existing multi-unit development with two 44-unit residential buildings, totalling 88 units. The applicant proposes constructing two more six-storey buildings on the site, one with 67 units and the other with 135 units.

  • View the full report from the April 15, 2025, regular Council meeting.

Bylaws to Amend Short-Term Rental Regulations

Council adopted Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-87, 2025, and Business Licence and Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 9-71, 2025, to align with provincial legislation on short-term rental accommodations. Changes included updating definitions and regulations to permit short-term rentals less than 30 days within the principal dwelling of a property owner or in a residential suite on the same property as the owner’s principal residence, and to require a business licence for all short-term rentals listed on a short-term rental platform for less than 90 days.

  • View the full report from the April 8, 2025 regular Council meeting.

Reports to Council

2024 Kamloops Point-in-Time Count Report

Natasha Hartson, the City's Acting Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager, provided Council with  an update on the findings from the 2024 Kamloops Point-inTime Count Report, which took place on October 17 and 18, 2024. Point-in-time counts provide a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness within a community in a 24-hour period and serve two functions—to count the number of people experiencing homelessness over a specified period and to gather information on the demographics and service needs of the local population of unhoused individuals.

During the 24-hour period, 313 individuals were counted, and 236 surveys were completed. Over the past 10 years, there has been a 229% increase in homelessness in Kamloops.  Key findings emphasize the disproportionate representation of Indigenous Peoples, the rising number of seniors and women facing homelessness, and the significant impact of economic pressures, systemic failures, and intergenerational trauma.

This count serves as an essential tool to guide local decision making, advocacy, and resource allocation. It underscores the need for a coordinated, compassionate response that includes strong partnerships, systemic change, and sustained investment in housing, mental health, and social supports. Moving forward, a continued commitment to reconciliation, equity, and inclusive policy development will be vital to addressing the root causes of homelessness and supporting long-term solutions in Kamloops.

Public Engagement Opportunities

Council received an update on upcoming community engagement opportunities, as listed below. 

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  • Active Transportation Plan: The City will be hosting an engagement session for residents to provide feedback on the Active Transportation portion of the Transportation Master Plan, learn about upcoming projects, and help address issues and opportunities not previously identified.
    • May 13, 2025, 5:30–7:30 pm, Kia Lounge, Sandman Centre, 300 Lorne Street.
    • Follow the project at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/ATPlan.
  • Tranquille Road Sanitary Sewer Main and Road Upgrade Project: With the construction of Phase 3 of the Tranquille Road Sanitary project set to start in June, the City is hosting another open house for residents to ask questions of staff.
    • May 15, 2025, 5:30–7:30 pm, Sports Action Lounge, McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, 1665 Island Parkway.
    • Follow the project at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/TranquillePhase3.
  • Let’s Talk Communications: The City is asking residents how they would prefer to hear about City initiatives, programs, services, and news.
    • Take the survey online at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/Communications until May 30, 2025.
  • KAMPLAN: Official Community Plan Update 2025: Changes to provincial legislation in 2023 require local governments to update their Official Community Plans to accommodate anticipated housing needs over the next 20 years and address specific housing types. The City will provide information and seek feedback on some of these changes at a series of engagement sessions. Events are open house style, and residents can drop in anytime between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm to view information boards and ask questions of staff on the following dates:
    • June 11, 2025 - Yacht Club, 1140 River Street  
    • June 18, 2025 - West Highlands Community Centre, 1185 Links Way
    • June 19, 2025 - Kamloops Sports Council Office, McArthur Island, 101-1550 Island Parkway
    • June 24, 2025 - Valleyview Community Hall, 2288 Park Drive 

Follow On Let's Talk Website

Subscribe to ongoing projects to be notified when engagement opportunities arise:  

Community Collaboration Activities

  • The City is hosting Emergency Services Day in the south side parking lot at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre on Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 am–2:00 pm. Emergency Services Day is a national awareness initiative and an opportunity to take action to ensure you are prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your community during an emergency. This year, the theme is Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.
  • BC Lions FanFest is returning to Kamloops! This annual event is a fan favourite, including food and beverage, activities for the whole family, appearances by the players and UPROAR members, and a BC Lions practice.
    • May 24, 2025, 2:30–7:00 pm, Hillside Stadium, 910 McGill Road

Notices of Motion

Correspondence

Council reviewed correspondence received from Members of the Legislative Assembly Peter Milobar, Ward Stamer, Tony Luck, Rosalyn Bird, and Lorne Doerkson and passed a motion to submit a letter in support of advocacy initiatives to address concerns related to the redesign of the Kamloops Cancer Centre.