Projects & Initiatives

You spoke and we listened…

The Kitselas Development Limited Partnership, on behalf of Kitselas First Nation, is pleased to present the draft Kitselas Way Master Plan for a large parcel of fee simple land located in Thornhill that the Nation secured as part of the Kitselas 2017 Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Benefits Agreement.

The ‘Kitselas Way Master Plan’, named from on input received from Members, incorporates extensive input from Members. It is a guide to support informed decision-making related to future development of the parcel that aligns with Member priorities and best practices in land use planning and considers opportunities and challenges related to servicing the site (water, sewer, trails, roads etc.).

Before finalizing the Plan and presenting the Plan to Chief and Council for adoption, we would like any last feedback and comments from Members on the draft. The Plan will be presented to Council for adoption late spring, early summer 2021.

Review the draft Kitselas Way Master Plan here:

Let us know what you think about the draft Plan:

Join us for a virtual presentation and question/answer period on the draft Plan:

June 3, 2021

5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.

Via: Cisco Webex virtual platform (similar to Zoom)

When it is time to join the meeting, please do so by one of the following ways:

Click on this link from your phone or computer:

https://kitselas.webex.com/kitselas/j.php?MTID=m8a3d3b4eec10f581066f9b607d950b01

Or:

Join by phone: 1-855-699-3239 and enter code: 1727511962

For information on joining a Webex meeting, please watch this short YouTube video.

For those that are unable to attend, there will be a recording of the presentation available and a survey should you wish to submit comments.

Access the survey here.

Surveys are due June 10th at 4:00p.m.

On June 3, 2021 We had a community meeting and presented the draft ‘Kitselas Way Master Plan’ if you were unable to make it please see presentation and Draft Land Use Plan.  If you have any questions, please contact Erica Louie at 250-641-2915 or e.louie@kitselasdlp.ca   

Project Background

The Kitselas LNG Agreement signed in 2017 provides funding for community and economic development projects, and funding and land transfers linked to the construction and operation of proposed LNG export facilities, including Pacific Northwest LNG and LNG Canada. One of the land transfers that Kitselas acquired through this agreement was +/-62 hectares of land in Thornhill (District Lot 373). This land is the subject of this Master Planning project.

Our History

Kitselas historic sites and family histories are woven within the landscape of Thornhill. Before the settlement of Thornhill we know today, the land was utilized by countless generations of Kitselas people. This area was once home to a previous settlement location of the Kulspai Indian Reserve prior to relocation in 1937.

What is a Master Plan?

The Master Plan for our lands provides guidance for future development of the property including a Member-driven vision, detail around land use, infrastructure needs, community layout and design elements. It is a long-term guide for growth and development over a number of years.
The Master Plan will serve as a marketing tool that can be posted on the website, shared with real estate agents and prospective developers and it will help inform a future funding application to BC Housing for subsidized housing on a portion of this property.

Working in Collaboration

The lands are owned by Kitselas First Nation as ‘fee simple’ and are within the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. Fee simple means that the owner “owns” the property and has full use and control over the land and buildings over it but is subject to any rights of the Crown and local bylaws and restrictions. This means the lands are subject to the Regional District’s laws and development regulations, including the Thornhill Official Community Plan that was recently adopted in June 2020. Regional District planning staff were actively involved in supporting the development of the Kitselas Way Master Plan and are hopeful that the potential uses suggested for the property will help inform an update to their existing Thornhill zoning bylaw.

Review the Thornhill Official Community Plan here: LINK

We are working collaboratively with the Regional District on the Master Plan process and together. A Cooperation Agreement is in place and a Joint Planning Study for the lands was completed between the Regional District and Kitselas in 2019.

Review the Joint Planning Studies for this property here: LINK1 LINK2 

Have Other Questions or want to share your thoughts directly?

Contact Erica Louie, Kitselas Development Limited Partnership
Property and Assets Officer and Master Plan Project Manager at:
T. 250-641-2915
E. e.louie@kitselasdlp.ca