What is an Industrial Land Strategy

The District of Kitimat has its industrial roots right from its beginning, established as a community to serve the Alcan aluminum smelter.

Today, while Kitimat enjoys two active major industries - the smelter and now LNG Canada - there are identified struggles when it comes to smaller scale industrial activity.

An Industrial Land Strategy will guide future light industry in Kitimat, giving the community an outlook on where it can be built, for what purposes, and how to support its development.

Background

A light industrial area of a community.

The need for an Industrial Land Strategy comes from a number of ongoing concerns the District has heard:

1. Not enough land for light industry

The District consistently hears that there is a lack of available industrial land for new light industrial businesses to locate or existing light industrial businesses to expand.

What we've found so far is that it is not just about serviced, light industrial land existing for this purpose, but its availability for purchase and further use. A lot of existing land for light industrial activities appears vacant or underutilized, but despite this has largely been kept off the market.

2. Light industry use is taking place in residential areas

There has been pressure on the District to permit industrial uses on vacant but residentially-zoned lands. A lack of suitable available land elsewhere within the municipality is cited by businesses as a contributing factor.

The Industrial Land Strategy will help ensure Kitimat has an appropriate amount of light industrial and commercial land to address current and future needs, supporting economic growth in the community.

Here is what the ILS will help address:

  • Identify limitations on available light industrial and commercial land in Kitimat.
  • Opportunities for expanding and intensifying available light industrial and commercial land.
  • Servicing requirements to support additional light industry.

Timeline of this project

Project phases for Industrial Land Strategy

Phase One

The District of Kitimat undertook Phase One of the Industrial Land Strategy process from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024, culminating in a Project Outline and a Baseline Report presented to Council on May 6, 2024.

Phase Two

Phase Two of the project will include:

  • Analysis of industrial property inventory.
  • Review of utilities and infrastructure capacities and potential upgrades needed.
  • Review of riparian and floodplain considerations.
  • Identify properties with immediate/short-term, medium-term, and long-term potential for industrial development.
  • Assess market supply and demand.
  • Review relevant municipal policies and regulations.
  • Engage with Haisla Nation.
  • Engage with interested or affected groups including relevant provincial and federal agencies and property owners.
  • Develop Industrial Land Strategy recommendations.

    • Phase Three

    Phase Three of the project will include implementing the recommendations made in the Industrial Land Strategy. This work will include identifying potential amendments to the District's industrial policies and regulations, redevelopment incentives, and other actions as outlined in the Industrial Land Strategy Implementation Plan.

    Gathering input

    A team headed by Philip Davies of Davies Transportation Consulting has contacted stakeholders, including relevant agencies, property owners, and business operators, to gather information and obtain their perspectives on priorities and opportunities related to the Industrial Land Strategy.

    We thank everyone who provided feedback on the project. The Industrial Land Strategy final report and implementation plan was presented to Council on November 17th. If you are interested in receiving further updates on the project during Phase Three: Implementation, please reach out using the contact information on this page.