City council requests more information before making a decision on proposed zoning and OCP amendments

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The city council is looking at different options after a zoning bylaw amendment hearing garnered public opposition.  

A public hearing was held on July 13 regarding the Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2630, 2026, and the Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw No. 2631, 2026. 

Northern Legendary Construction applied to amend the bylaw and the plan to facilitate the development of a 66-unit manufactured home park. 

The company is seeking to amend the OCP Bylaw No. 2626, 2025, to change the land located at 8007 81 Avenue from mixed residential use to the manufactured home park land use designation. 

In addition, the applicant is seeking to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 2470, 2019, to change the land use zone from RM-2, low to medium density multiple-dwelling housing, to R-3, medium density residential manufactured home park. 

Northern Legendary Construction held an open house on May 19 at the North Peace Cultural Centre to get feedback from residents. 

Eric Bell, general manager for Northern Legendary Construction, addressed the council and said, he believes the discussion isn’t about manufactured homes, but instead about “opportunity for young people.”

“Housing is no longer simply a market issue; it’s a community issue,” he said. 

“Communities that stop creating attainable housing eventually struggle to attract workers, businesses, healthcare professionals and I think most importantly, keeping our young people here in Fort St. John.” 

Bell noted that even if the council approves the amendment, construction would not start as the project will have to comply with multiple bylaws, including the manufactured home bylaw and the city zoning bylaw. 

“Approving this amendment does not eliminate oversight; it begins it,” he said. 

Residents who attended the hearing opposed the amendments, citing reduced neighbourhood safety, a lack of community consultation, traffic safety and emergency vehicle access. 

Chantelle Yates, a Fort St. John resident, said, “My concern is not about the park itself; it is about making sure we grow in a way, [which] is safe and works well for both current and future residents.” 

She hopes that the sense of community is considered alongside the housing numbers. 

“I’m not [saying] no to housing, I’m asking that you make sure the transportation access, pedestrian safety and long-term planning questions are fully answered as part of this process.” 

Ryan Anthony, another resident, said his concern is replacing the mixed residential land-use framework with a site-specific designation for a private manufactured home park.  

He said, “If council is being asked to change the land use direction…the residents should see the city’s written analysis explaining why that change is consistent with OCP housing needs, infrastructure planning, public services and the surrounding neighbourhood context.” 

He noted the city should require the developer to finance a new traffic study if the application is considered. 

The city council raised questions on snow removal, community engagement, School District 60, and alternative development.

Councillor Trevor Bollin said he would like to see more information on the residents’ concerns. 

“I think my biggest things are the traffic, the upgrades recommended out of the traffic study and highway access to the frontage,” he added. 

“So I would like to keep this as received for us to be able to then look into this information, potentially then reconvene and have this discussion.”