Riverbrook Estates hearing extended amid density and access concerns
Published 8:30 am Wednesday, September 16, 2026
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Kitimat council has extended the public hearing on the proposed Riverbrook Estates development to Oct. 5 after residents and several councillors called for more time to consider its density, traffic and access impacts.
The master plan for 167 Konigus Street proposes 287 homes across two parcels totalling about 11 hectares. Six bylaws before council would allow two three-storey apartment buildings with 106 units, 46 townhouses, seven single-family homes and a 72-unit modular home park. Existing zoning already permits 47 townhouses and nine single-family homes, bringing the overall development to 287 units.
Residents focused much of their concern on the scale of the project and access from Kuldo Boulevard through Nadina and Liard streets.
“We live in a small neighbourhood … that kind of [proposed] density would have a large impact on us,” said Carol Richter, who told council she has lived in the area for 40 years and opposed all three applications.
Riverbrook Estates representatives Leonard Kirkoff and Nathalia Fernandes said the development would help address Kitimat’s housing needs while providing a mix of housing types. They said the district has identified a need for 957 homes over 10 years.
Residents questioned whether Nadina and Liard can safely handle more traffic, emergency vehicles, garbage collection and construction equipment. Written submissions also raised concerns about pedestrian safety near Kildala Elementary School, speeding on Kuldo Boulevard and whether an alternative access route could reduce traffic through the neighbourhood.
The traffic study recommends a defined pedestrian connection to transit on Kuldo Boulevard. Nadina and Liard would also be upgraded to residential collector standards at the developer’s expense, with the work secured through a new offsite works covenant.
Initial discussions call for widening both streets by 0.7 metres on each side toward existing property lines. Fernandes said the developer will work with district engineering staff to determine the road-upgrade requirements.
“That’s one of the next steps, which will include details on exactly when it needs to be done, road upgrades, signage — anything that will be required.”
Fire truck circulation has been tested, and the traffic study identified no vehicle conflicts. A new dedicated road would create a loop through the development.
Residents also raised questions about utilities. Assessments indicate lift stations can accommodate the growth, while any further upgrades found to be necessary would be paid for by the developer.
Separately, the south parcel proposed for the 72-unit modular home park is subject to a flood covenant dating to 1978 that restricts construction and placement of mobile homes. Riverbrook Estates is seeking to modify that existing covenant, and the south parcel bylaws would not be adopted until the modified version is registered on title.
Staff stressed that rezoning is only one stage of the approval process and that development permits and other approvals would still be required.
Coun. Michelle Martins asked whether the developer had conducted outreach with affected residents beyond the formal public hearing process.
Kirkoff said it had not.
“This is the public hearing and the format here is where we can hear the public’s thoughts.”
The unfinished offsite works covenant for the Liard and Nadina upgrades also prompted debate.
Coun. Mario Feldhoff questioned why council would advance the bylaws before details of the road-upgrade covenant were finalized and initially proposed extending the hearing until that work was complete.
Kirkoff said it made little sense to incur legal and design costs before knowing whether the rezoning would proceed.
“It just makes no sense.”
Coun. Graham Pitzel agreed.
“There’s no reason to spend a lot of money on design and legal fees if you don’t even know if the zoning will be approved.”
Feldhoff withdrew his motion, but debate then shifted to whether the hearing itself should close.
Martins opposed closing it.
“It’s a big change, especially for that neighbourhood. I think a second hearing would allow for more time for public input to be revised and for residents to digest the proposal.”
Council members were generally supportive of adding housing but divided over whether residents had been given enough opportunity to respond to a development of this scale.
Feldhoff, Mayor Phill Germuth and Pitzel voted to close the hearing. Councillors Edwin Empinado, Martins, Gerry Leibel and Terry Maleau opposed the motion, defeating it.
The public hearing was adjourned to Oct. 5. When the matter came forward during the regular council meeting, reports recommending third reading of the six bylaws were received for information only.