The North Coast community of Prince Rupert is a hidden gem of BC, nestled between the mountains and the ocean, where opportunities abound and housing is needed to support the growth of its port. Prince Rupert is strategically located three days closer to Asian markets and sees $60 billion in trade annually through its multiple port industries. With an existing vacancy rate of less than one per cent, there is already significant demand for new housing that can accommodate both locals as well as the growing industrial work force.
To support new housing development, the City has taken many steps to enhance the opportunity and diversify the housing stock in Prince Rupert. One key action has been to place multiple municipally-held greenfield lots up for sale that could accommodate more than 1,000 units, if developed. There are also a substantial number of private lots available in the downtown area, and flexible zoning to accommodate infill development close to amenities and transit. The City is ready to work closely with developers willing to get in on the ground floor.
The City is also reducing costs to build by waiving rezoning, development permit, and building permit fees for new housing and anything in the downtown core until the end of 2029. This accompanies the revitalization tax exemption program for the downtown core, where housing, mixed-use and commercial development is encouraged and eligible to apply for exemption on taxable improvements for between five and 10 years, depending on the development.
Projects in Prince Rupert also don’t get held up by slow permitting approval processes. On average, once a complete package is received, development permits take one month to process, building permits take one to three months to process, and rezonings take less than four months. Staff and Council know and appreciate the need for housing and development in the community they love.
“The team over at City Hall is extremely well versed in their craft,” says Jeff Brown, of North Star Developments. “They know what they’re doing. The whole team from top to bottom is one cohesive team. They do a really good job. In Vancouver, you’re talking years to do a development permit or rezoning, like four to five years. In the City of Prince Rupert, we’re talking two months.”
North Star Developments’ non-profit arm, Aurora Housing Society, is in the initial building stages for a 40-unit multi-family apartment complex on lands leased from the City.
“I think it’s refreshing to come to a community that is embracing growth and change, while understanding their community needs, and being able to facilitate the approval process in a way that is both respectful of their community objectives, but also the time and interests of the developer,” says Gord Wylie, president of North Star Developments.
There are also few affordable communities in BC where you can hike a mountain in the morning and go for a harbour tour in the evening. As a coastal community, it has modern amenities, such as a golf course, high capacity performing arts centre, pool and arena, with all the charm of a small town.
“It was an extremely refreshing change of pace to do work in Prince Rupert,” says Jeff Brown, of North Star Developments. “The added advantage is that you get to go to Prince Rupert, which is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Hands down.”
Average Development Processing Times
• Development Permit – Less than one month
• Development Variance Permit – Less than two months
• Building and Engineering Permits – Less than three months
• Rezoning/OCP Amendment – Less than four months
