The Kitselas First Nation and the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) have completed a Thornhill Land Details Agreement, which finalizes a portion of land to be transferred to Kitselas and establishes a Joint Community Use Area.
“This agreement brings greater economic opportunities for Kitselas, ensures a joint community use area that will benefit people of all ages from both communities, and protects and builds upon our excellent working relationship with the regional district,” said Judy Gerow, Kitselas chief councillor in a joint media release.
Under the agreement, a portion of Crown land on District Lot 373 within the central horseshoe neighborhood in Thornhill will be transferred to the Kitselas First Nation through their provincial LNG benefits agreement. The exact size of the parcel will not be known until the land is surveyed, but the subject area is around 70 hectares.
The Thornhill Land Details Agreement follows a cooperation agreement between the Kitselas and RDKS signed in March, 2020. That cooperation agreement was the result of a joint planning study between the two parties that established a vision and land uses for the site which include residential, commercial, light industrial and community use areas. Those land use designations have been adopted into the Thornhill Official Community Plan, but detailed zoning has not yet been established.
“It was a pleasure to work with Kitselas on this recent agreement, furthering our relationship and implementing the earlier work we completed through the Joint Planning Study,” said Phil Germuth, regional district board chair, in the release.
“This new community use area and management agreement will provide much needed recreation opportunities within the area.”
More details about the transfer and an updates map will be released after a signing ceremony, which will take place when provincial COVID-19 restrictions allow.