The Village of Pemberton’s 2024 Annual Report, released last month, details a year-long push on affordable housing, critical infrastructure and regional transportation.
Among the highlights are the Village’s moves to accelerate housing development.
In March of 2024, the Village of Pemberton (VOP) secured $2.7 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to fast-track the building of 98 housing units over three years and 1,995 homes in the next decade. That funding came with a commitment to deliver on eight key initiatives aimed at boosting supply by reducing red tape around development, most of which the Village completed last year.
As part of the work, the VOP updated its zoning to permit small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) on all single-family lots. Parking minimums were reduced, pre-zoning for higher densities was adopted and new incentives were introduced to encourage the development of purpose-built rental housing.
The Village adopted a new housing strategy in November 2024 to guide the work covered by the $2.7 million HAF grant. Pemberton’s strategic direction under the plan includes updates to regulations and development approval processes.
Pemberton’s development pipeline also progressed last year. The Harrow Road project, led by Sea to Sky Community Services, received a building permit for 63 market and affordable housing units. The final building is set to host a Foundry community services location.
The Nkwúkwma Benchlands, Parkside and Hillside developments also advanced, following Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendments.
Service upgrades
Infrastructure planning was another key priority.
The Village secured $6 million in federal funding for a long-planned water treatment facility, moving forward with detailed design work in 2024. Additional water infrastructure upgrades included well redevelopment, pressure valve retrofits and significant paving works.
Work on the new treatment plant is a major step in addressing Pemberton’s aging water system, which has long been flagged as a barrier to future growth. It will also address the Village’s safe-but-higher-than-usual levels of manganese and iron.
Regional transportation saw a boost in 2024 with the completion of Phase 1 of Pemberton’s Multi-Modal Transportation Hub. The new facility encourages residents to shift to carpooling, cycling and transit, and will be expanded in 2025 to include public washrooms, bike storage and gardens. The Village is currently seeking funding for the hub’s second phase, which aims to add a bus loop, lighting, EV chargers and concrete sidewalks.
The VOP also partnered with BC Transit to add 1,500 new hours of transit service on the Route 99 Commuter.
In pursuit of its climate goals, the Village installed two new electric vehicle charging stations downtown and expanded active transportation programming—including temporary street closures during community events to promote walking and cycling.
Pemberton Fire Rescue completed its new live-fire training facility in 2024 and provided five weeks of wildfire assistance across the province—including teaming up with Sechelt, Whistler and Squamish fire departments. The department responded to 436 calls last year, while also leading the community’s first evacuation exercise in the Tiyata neighbourhood.
The Village collaborated with the Pemberton Valley Dyking District to pursue further flood mitigation funding and contributed to the final planning report for the Meager Creek Landslide Debris Restoration Project.
Financially, the Village posted a surplus of $2.64 million in 2024, though its net financial assets declined as it drew down reserves to fund major capital projects.
Partnership with Lil’wat Nation
A key project on hold since 2023—the Village’s OCP review—remains on hold as the Village and Lil’wat Nation work toward a new protocol agreement to guide their collaboration.
The annual report said communities made progress on the agreement in 2024 by developing a draft framework and forming a joint steering committee. They also partnered on a Complete Communities Assessment, aiming to improve planning coordination between Pemberton and Mount Currie. Community engagement on the assessment is planned for 2025.
The Village also attended the fourth annual Nuk̓w7ántwal Regional Gathering—an event that aims to strengthen the connections between First Nations and local governments like the VOP and SLRD. The Village also marked its first ‘Lunch and Learn’ session on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. hosted by Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams.
Looking ahead, Village officials say they will continue to focus on emergency preparedness, infrastructure renewal and strengthening partnerships with the Lil’wat Nation as they work to accommodate a growing population.
The Village’s annual report is available online on its website or at Municipal Hall during regular office hours.
