The mayor of Merritt says it’s unclear at this point if a unique housing project will go forward.

Linda Brown says city council passed first and second reading towards allowing for a 95-unit residential complex.

However, she says there’s still lots of details the developer needs to sort out if the zoning amendment were to be adopted.

“We understand that the developer was having difficulty with investors and they wanted to make sure that they had the reading before they can actually go ahead,” she said.

“But there’s still a lot of outstanding issues that still need to be reviewed and negotiated.”

Brown points out a public hearing would happen after the developer addresses issues with its plan, which are mostly related to the size of the project relative to size of the land parcel it is planned on, at 4010 Walters Street.

“We still have issues with neighbourhoods and if it’s the right place, and we’ll have to sort that through our public hearing,” Brown added. “But I think Merritt is in dire need of affordable housing and a mix of that kind of housing. I think it would do wonders for Merritt.”

The proposal calls for 19 of the 95 units to be labeled as “affordable,” but it’s not yet clear if that would be part of the final plans.

(Photo: City of Merritt)