Powell River council has moved forward with discussions on city-owned property disposition, approving staff reports for three community projects while considering broader priorities for land use and planning.
At a recent committee of the whole meeting, councillors voted to direct staff to prepare detailed reports on requests from the Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society (PROWLS), the qathet Pickleball Association, and the Four Tides Hospice Society. Each group has asked for access to surplus city land to support its initiatives.
The decision builds on a previous August council meeting where land management and policy updates were discussed. City development manager Melissa Howey explained that her report outlined current work and sought council direction. She also noted that staff were working on housing projects with BC Housing, including temporary shelter and supportive housing efforts that both involve city-owned property.
Howey presented an Urban Systems land management strategy that identified 25 surplus sites and provided zoning and land-use details. She explained that since the current council began its term, 28 land-related recommendations had been passed. Of these, 13 have been completed while 15 remain active. The three community requests are among the active matters now requiring attention.
She said staff will need to study each proposal to determine feasibility, ensure zoning alignment, review possible financial impacts, and confirm that projects fit within the city’s strategic priorities. These reviews will take time and resources, but she added that handling the three reports together could create efficiencies.
Councillor Trina Isakson raised the issue of prioritization, asking whether focusing on the three requests might delay progress on other important land projects. Howey responded that staff are always mindful of priorities but saw practical value in addressing these three together due to their similarities.
Councillor George Doubt questioned why the old golf course lands in Townsite were not included. He reminded council that staff had been directed to explore creating a land trust for those lands, with participation from councillors and a community representative. Director of planning services Jason Gow explained that a report on the golf course property exists but is still being reviewed by senior staff before returning to council. He said its exclusion from the current recommendation does not mean it is not a priority.
Councillor Cindy Elliott asked if the city’s strategic priorities gave enough clarity to rank projects. Gow said the priorities were broad, so many land initiatives fall under them. He added that council could give staff clearer direction if needed.
Mayor Ron Woznow reflected on earlier debates about a potential land trust for the golf course, recalling that past councils had declined community offers to pursue one. He also pointed out that the pickleball association’s request had been supported by a standing committee that had already invested resources and engaged consultants, giving it more preparatory depth.
Councillor Rob Southcott introduced a motion to prepare the three staff reports. He emphasized that these projects could deliver meaningful community benefits. The motion passed after debate, although an amendment proposed by Councillor Doubt to add the golf course lands was defeated. Elliott then moved a follow-up motion calling for staff to prepare a complete priority list of outstanding land projects. This motion carried, giving council a clearer view of where different initiatives stand in relation to each other.
The meeting highlighted council’s effort to balance immediate community needs with longer-term land planning. The approved reports will now examine how city-owned property can support wildlife protection, recreational development, and hospice care services. At the same time, the call for a broader priority framework reflects the difficulty of managing multiple projects with limited resources.
As the city continues to refine its property policy and coordinate with outside partners, councillors will face decisions about which projects best align with community goals, financial capacity, and strategic direction. The upcoming reports on the three community proposals will play a central role in shaping how Powell River manages city-owned property disposition in the years ahead.
