Prince George City Council has adopted the Neighbourhood plan for Ospika South.

This is the outline of how the balance of the undeveloped land in that area of College Heights will be developed.

The 45 page report presented to Council sets development in two areas. The first, would involve 496 acres, and would have an overall housing mix of 65% low density residential, and 35% medium density residential. The plan also calls for 5 new neighbourhood parks, two district parks, small amount of commercial, and institutional development and lots of trails and sidewalks.

It also notes that the development of Ospika South will mean there will need to be an extension of Ospika under Highway 16, and a further detailed study on traffic impact.

The plan could see the first phase of development creating some two thousand new housing units, meaning an increased population of 5,200 to 5,800 people.

Councilors registered some real concerns about the traffic issues.  Councilor Don Zurowski says the Ospika extension should be examined sooner rather than later, while Councilor Brian Skakun called for more pressure on the Provincial government to help widen Highway 16, and perhaps change the access at Domano and 16.

Mayor Colin Kinsley said he wants to see that the costs involved with road  widening or improvments are covered by the developers, "I don't want any of this to be paid for by the taxpayer, it should be covered  by DCC's (development cost charges) and  the like" said the Mayor.

Of course, while the plan has been adopted, the rezoning and subdivision processes must be completed before any actual development takes place.

City Staff expect some development to start this year.