It’s looking promising to get shovels in the ground for a new rental apartment building in Ashcroft.

The Village of Ashcroft has moved forward with a development application, looking to get a new – three-story, 37-unit – apartment building established in the community.

Mayor Barbara Roden says they’re waiting for one final nod of approval from the community.

“The proposed changes that they need to our Official Community Plan and our Zoning Bylaw have gone to first and second reading. We are having a public hearing later this month,” she said.

“If all goes according to plan and there is no opposition – it should be green-lit by the end of February into March.”

Roden says the proposed apartment, would run parallel to the other apartment on the site at 1500 Government Street.

“New owners purchased it last year and they brought plans to the Village of Ashcroft that they essentially want to twin the existing building, which has 35 units, and create a new building that is also three storeys and will be market rentals.”

She says the draft building features an asymmetrical design, which the developer notes is for aesthetics and fire suppression.

“We have seen the designs for it, very detailed designs. I think every small town normally gets people coming in and proposing things that are drawn on the back of a napkin, but these are very detailed, architectural drawings; it will be a very attractive building,” said Roden.

In a bid to get more developers to build more rentals in her community, Roden says they are working to help remove red tape.