Coun. Nigel Kitto commented at City Council on Monday evening that this year’s building permit values were excellent, already doubling 2014 values at only half way through the year. Will the momentum continue, he wondered.
“I don’t think it’s a blip,” said Mayor Don McCormick. “I think we’re seeing a very solid confidence in Kimberley and this area.
McCormick said he felt it was important to compare not only year to year, but to what is happening in the rest of the valley.
“When it comes to residential building permits, Kimberley has 70 in the first six months of 2015,” he said. “That’s the most of any community in the valley. Cranbrook has 68. We’re going neck and neck with residential development with Cranbrook. Nobody else is even close. Fernie is next at 43 permits.
“Cranbrook has 12 new single family homes so far, we have 11. We’re having a great year.”
Coun. Sandra Roberts said that she hoped all the increased building and renovation activity would encourage others to take pride in their property. She noted that unsightly premises complaints were on the rise.
“I hope those complaints will be acted upon,” she said. “You should not have to look at other people’s garbage.”
“I think the complaints are increasing because people really care about their community,” McCormick said. “It’s encouraging that people are speaking up.”