Open House for University Heights Draft Plan

By Steven Cote

An open house was held this evening at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) to allow the public to view the draft plan for the proposed University Heights Neighborhood. Set to be built in the southwest sector of Prince George, the neighborhood will include 674 hectares of land between Highway 16 West and UNBC, bisected by Tyner Boulevard. The goal of the open house was to allow the public to actively participate in the University Heights planning process, and to voice any concerns with the proposed Plan.

As part of the City of Prince George Official Community Plan, a Neighborhood Plan is required in order to address environmental, transportation, and city service issues. The University Heights Neighborhood Plan was prepared by L&M Engineering LTD in close consultation with the City of Prince George and the University Heights Steering Committee, a group of representative property owners. Most lands included within the Plan are undeveloped, and are currently owned by 14 different entities, including private companies and individuals, the Province BC, the City of Prince George, UNBC, BC Hydro and the BC Telephone Company. Some lands were also included in the final treaty agreement initiated in October, 2006 by Canada, the Province of BC and the Ldeidli T’enneh First Nation.

“The vastness of the area creates incredible planning and visioning possibilities while, at the same time, providing an opportunity to address major road network, infrastructure, and environmental considerations,” said Heather Oland, Planning Associate for L&M Engineering. The Plan is characterized by a mix of land uses, including a variety of residential options, as well as institutional and commercial. Also listed in the plan are eleven neighborhood parks, two district parks, and connections to the existing bicycle and pedestrian networks, along with greenways to protect environmentally sensitive areas.

Next, the plan will be submitted to the City of Prince George for Council’s consideration, with the first phase of development to commence spring, 2008.

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