Three Pulpmill Road landowners have said they will pay to protect their properties from further river bank erosion.
The estimated cost is $471,000 "to install armouring to protect their properties from erosion along the north bank of the Nechako River," said a staff report to city council Monday.
But it required city council approval in order to move forward with fixes to the 220-metre stretch, which has seen "severe erosion" since 2007. In one especially fraught spot, an 85-metre area has been pushed back between 15 and 22 metres.
The three owners have agreed to pay all of the installation costs, but as a Local Area Service (LAS) initiative the funding would first be financed through debt, with the residents repaying the debt through a parcel tax levy.
"The total cost of the erosion protection will be divided among the benefiting parcels proportional to the linear river frontage of each property," the report said, adding the owners got the quote from an engineering consultant who completed a survey and concept design plan.
"Once the project is completed, if the actual project expenses differ, any changes will be reflected in the amount paid by the property owners."
The owners have the option of paying the debt in its entirety at any point, or over a 25-year period, with interest. The LAS charges start the year after the construction is completed.
Coun. Albert Koehler noted currents and flooding have eaten away land affecting several properties along the road.
"I fully understand that we as a city have to do something about it. I think it's a fair approach."
The staff report noting the city needs to get 50 per cent signatures - but there are only three affected and all have signaled interest.
"I imagine it's going to be the shortest petition requirement the city may have ever seen," said Coun. Garth Frizzell to laughs from his colleagues.
Once that petition is complete, staff will bring forward bylaws for further approval and then construction would likely start next year.
The staff report said the city has a similar agreement with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George, also regarding riverbank erosion, through a protection project at Shelley, just outside the city limits. The city also has three LAS projects underway for the installation of sanitary sewers in Hart Highlands.
