Welcome to Powell River
Powell River is located on the coast of British Columbia approximately 145 kilometres 90
miles north of Vancouver, immediately across from Courtenay on Vancouver Island. To arrive in Powell River from Vancouver means a short ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay, a scenic 80 kilometre drive on the Sechelt Peninsula, then a second ferry trip to Saltery Bay, itself a short drive from the centre of Powell River. Alternately, visitors can travel from Comox-Courtenay across Georgia Strait by ferry, directly to downtown Powell River.
Four communities
Powell River is made up of four distinct community areas: Westview, the Townsite, Cranberry
Lake and Wildwood. By including the whole Regional District we can add the unique communities of Lund and Texada Island to provide a wide range of lifestyle choices.
Westview
The most populous area of Powell River is Westview, which is also geographically central and is the commercial, light industrial and institutional centre of the municipality. Shopping areas are well established in the downtown section of Marine Avenue and in two shopping centres in the Joyce Avenue-Alberni Street area. Westview also contains the majority of the residential development in Powell River, and the largest proportion of future development potential. New single family development is considered ideal for the southern end of Westview because of the large supply of vacant land.
Townsite
North of Westview approximately two kilometres is the Powell River Townsite. This area offers mostof the heritage resources in Powell River with a concentration of homes built before 1930 and some dating from before World War I. Of special significance is the official designation of the area as a National Heritage District by the federal government. Ongoing work and lobbying by the residents of the Townsite and the Townsite Heritage Society have resulted in significant improvements to many heritage properties in the area. The Townsite is also the location of the
Norske Canada mill.
Wildwood
Immediately north of the Townsite is the community of Wildwood. This area is semi-urban/rural, residential/agricultural. It features large lots and low density residential use. Given the existing large lot pattern, a low rate of growth and the desires expressed by residents, no major land use changes are expected for the area. This will ensure continuity in the nature of the Wildwood community.
Cranberry Lake
Cranberry Lake, to the northeast of Westview, offers a mixed form of residential development. Low density and small holdings predominate along with rural development in several areas. Some new low-density multiple family housing has been built and there is a clear commercial core in the community. Cranberry Lake itself is a protected bird sanctuary area that adds character to the neighbourhoods.
Retirement Housing
Over the past several years Powell River has been developing a number of housing options suitable for adult living and for new residents planning to retire in the community. There are several residential areas offering homes specifically designed with mature residents in mind. Homes offer level entries and single-level floor plans. Many new condominium properties have also been built within the past five years that cater to seniors. For those with special needs, the Lifecycle Housing project near the Powell River General Hospital provides accessible housing in a 30-unit multi-family project.
Land availability and demand The Official Community Plan "OCP" prepared by Graham Farstad Associates and passed by the municipal council in early 1996 estimated that the demand for housing in Powell River would be approximately 40% in multi-family units with the remainder as single family development. Building permit activity leading up to this survey showed reduced activity, a significant change from the several years leading up to 1998 when there was a strong increase in the construction of apartments and condominiums.
A survey by UMA Engineering in 1993 estimated a total of over 300 hectares in eight separate areas as available for residential construction. Calculations for the OCP estimate a demand, based on construction rates and population estimates, of only 174 hectares through the year 2014.
Commercial Land
Historically, there have been small local commercial centres are located in each of the original settlements of Westview,
Cranberry Lake, Wildwood and the Townsite. During the mid-1960's development of shopping centres in the Joyce Avenue/Alberni Street area spurred commercial development in Westview. The impact of this was to centralize trade in Westview, particularly affecting the Townsite area.
Commercial development is now concentrated along Joyce and Marine Avenues with the
Joyce/Alberni area having been identified as the principal business district in the District’s plans. Several smaller commercial centres also exist along Joyce Avenue, south of the Alberni street intersection. At present, there is ample vacant commercial land, including some undeveloped areas. While there is limited bare infill land available, a number of vacant, fully-serviced sites are available for re-development.
Industrial Land
Industrial development in Powell River is dominated by the Norske
Canada mill in the Townsite. This industrial complex was first established in 1912 and has been continuously modernized; it is one of the largest in BC.
Other industrial uses, primarily service-industrial development but also including commercial uses, are found largely along the Duncan Street corridor west of the airport. There is also a small waterfront-marine oriented service industrial area located at the south end of the Westview waterfront. Existing uses of that area include liquid fuel storage and barge service wharves and
facilities.
The region has ample available land suitable for industrial development. Within the community there is a limited amount of vacant serviced land available, but several suitable sites have been identified. Next to the municipal airport on the Duncan street corridor is a light industrial park which provides serviced lots, level terrain, good access to transportation and a separation from residential areas.
The former golf course, adjoining the Norske Canada mill site offers an opportunity for a waterfront industrial park. The company has also identified areas of its property suitable for light industry and manufacturing operations. Both sites also offers potential access to marine transportation.
These are three of the most promising industrial sites in the community but several others have also been identified. With good planning and negotiation with land owners and the municipality, any of these sites should be available for development.
Surrounding Area
Lund
Outside the municipality are three additional distinct communities. Lund is located at the north end of Highway 101 some 25 kilometres from Westview. It offers a quiet, rural and alternative lifestyle along with a strong sense of community. Sliammon Village is just north of Wildwood along Highway 101 to Lund and is the primary location of the Sliammon First Nation community.
Texada Island
Texada is the third distinct area in the Regional District. The island is reached by a
35 minute ferry trip from the Westview terminal. Texada island has two population
centres: Gillies Bay and Van Anda, where most of the commercial activity is
focused. The remainder of the island is predominantly rural-agricultural but includes three working
limestone quarries which provide many of the on-island jobs.
