The Province of British Columbia has developed a step program within the BC Building Code that requires 20 per cent better energy efficiency for most new buildings in B.C.
The province has set a goal that all new buildings must reach a net-zero energy efficiency by 2032, using the Step Code as the policy pathway.
Kimberley has been well ahead of many communities in B.C.
In fact Kimberley recently amended a bylaw that would require Step Four for new buildings by January 1, 2024.
At the time, though the motion passed, Mayor Don McCormick expressed some concern about Kimberley getting too far ahead of what the province required.
At their regular meeting on Monday, May 29, 2023, Council voted to reconsider. A Notice of Motion was put forward by Coun. Kevin Dunnebacke asking for another look at making Step Code 4 mandatory.
He said that Kimberley would be four plus years ahead of what the provincial government would require.
“It puts stress on builders trying to build on a budget,” he said, adding that Kimberley builders were already constructing high quality homes. “There’s no need to be five years ahead of everyone else. There’s no need to push it at this time.
Builders can build to Step 4 if they want, said Coun. Sandra Roberts. She said she feared requiring Step Code 4 could slow down establishing affordable housing.
However, Coun. Woody Maguire argued that the new home being built to this code were not affordable housing in the first place, but high end homes.
“I’m not in that market myself,” he said. People building these homes weren’t going to not build because Step Code 4 is required, he said.
Manager of Planning Services Troy Pollock said that all homes built in Kimberley since January 2020 were at Step 3, and a majority of those had already achieved Step 4.
“It’s proven successful,” he said. “Each year we achieve better results. It can be done.”
Coun. Jason McBain said that he felt they were getting the cart a bit ahead of the horse in requiring Step Code 4.
“If you’re going through the building process, given the choice of Step 3 or 4, you’d probably choose 4. But it’s a choice.”
Coun. Sue Cairns said she felt there were benefits to being ahead of the curve, including attracting innovators. She agreed that these were high end homes being discussed.
“We should continue to be leaders and maintain a competitive edge.”
“Pushing this harder and faster isn’t necessarily the answer,” Dunnebacke said.
McCormick said that builders were already getting on board with the program “That tells me it’s a success, without a mandate,” he said.
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carolyn.grant@kimberleybulletin.com
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