Williams Lake city council continues to examine possible development options on the west side of Williams Lake in the official community plan.
At the regular council meeting on Jan. 14, 2025, council discussed a request for the provincial government and the Williams Lake First Nation to review and support a historic city recommendation to incorporate and develop a section of Crown land located between Fairview Drive on the golf course and below Westridge development.
Coun. Scott Nelson said he brought the recommendation forward to put it in front of the community, mentioning the potential for a second crossing from the west side.
"Really what this is is a 30,000 foot look at a growing community, taking the next step," said Nelson.
Previous work behind the scenes has reportedly already been done by developers he said, noting bringing this to the community would bring all of that forward.
Nelson, who often refers to his "pro-growth" approach, said the potential development gives the community something positive for future growth.
Coun. Angie Delainey said she supported the idea in principle but requested the discussion be taken to an in-camera committee meeting in order to be able to fully discuss the potential for incorporation of the property, noting there are items which they cannot discuss publicly and it would be better to have a more open discussion first behind the scenes.
"I'm not able to support this recommendation as it is today," she said.
Coun. Sheila Boehm said starting the discussion in the community could help get the ball rolling.
Coun. Joan Flaspohler and acting mayor Jazmyn Lyons both pointed out the property is already in the last two official community plans for the city.
Nelson said he hoped to "start to lay the tracks for a larger community."
The current official community plan, is in the budget to be updated and can be viewed on the city's website, with the discussion of the west side Crown land starting on page 6-26.
"The information's up there, but we are reviewing everything," said Lyons.
The motion to support the recommendation passed, with Delainey voting against the motion and mayor Surinderpal Rathor absent while he attended the Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.