City council in Williams Lake is asking staff to expedite rescinding the do not occupy orders on four residences at Terra Ridge in light of a new engineering study.
At their regular council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, council voted unanimously to pass a recommendation "council request staff bring forward, as soon as possible, the rescinding of the do not occupy notices at the Terra Ridge complex as per the recently received Octo Engineering Report commissioned by Terra Ridge residents."
Terra Ridge is an 80-unit seniors-only condominium development located on the historic and slow-moving Hodgson landslide.
Four units at Terra Ridge were issued do not occupy notices in September of 2023.
A report at the time indicated there has been “significant damage” due to shifting of foundations and framing at three units, said Gary Deane, manager of planning and development for the city. Do not occupy notices were issued for four units following the report.
A new report was completed by Octo Engineering Jan. 16, 2025, which the Terra Ridge strata council said determined the units to be "structurally safe" for the next 15 years, with some conditions. The Tribune has not viewed the contents of the engineering report.
Terry Shepherd, a member of the Terra Ridge strata council communications committee, told the Tribune a meeting with the city on Monday, Jan. 27 went well.
"We learned a lot about next steps that have to be taken with regards to getting these do not occupy notices removed," he said, including some remediation work, to address ongoing concerns with the exterior decks will be taking place.
He said most of what will need to happen is paperwork, with an expectation removing the notices will take around a month.
"We're working diligently with the city and the engineers to get the necessary work done," said Shepherd.
The strata council will be renewing their insurance coverage in April, with the development hoping to seek estimates for coverage prior to the renewal deadline.
"Everything is going to be expedited as much as possible," said Shepherd, sounding optimistic.
At the council meeting, staff told council they are working through the process with the strata, lawyers and insurers.
"We do have to ensure everything is done properly," said Muraca, noting covenants will need to be in place to address potential liability and manage any risk.
"There are some monitoring plans the engineer has to have happen," said Muraca, noting residents and the city have a common goal in getting residents back in their homes.
Muraca pointed out the rescinding of the orders is not within the purview of mayor and council, but falls to the city's chief building official.
A state of local emergency had been declared for the entire Terra Ridge development but was rescinded on April 10, 2024. Multiple other properties in the neighbourhood are located in the slide zone as well.
With files from Monica Lamb-Yorski.
