Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Rezoning application sign.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Proposed development

Seven-storey building, 275+ housing units eyed for long-vacant property near Yale Road overpass

Jan 5, 2026 | 6:15 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack city councillors will review a rezoning application at their meeting this week that could potentially see over 275 residential units constructed near a Yale Road overpass.

According to item 7.2 on this Tuesday’s meeting agenda, councillors are set to give first, second and third reading to a proposal by OTG Developments Ltd. to rezone 8850 and 8890 School Street from a CS1 (service commercial zone) to a C9 (mid-rise apartment commercial) zone to facilitate a future mixed-use commercial and residential development.

The properties in question are located just west of the Yale Road overpass and have been vacant and/or unoccupied for decades.

A staff report prepared by City of Chilliwack planner Adam Roberts states the proposed development includes a 7-storey mixed-use building with 278 residential units and eight commercial units totaling 2,840m² in area. The final lot layout must comply with city bylaws and include urban frontage improvements including road widening and street parking on School Street and Alexander Avenue, a bike lane on Bernard Avenue, and barrier curb, sidewalk, and LED streetlighting on all three streets.

The staff report states the applicant completed a traffic impact assessment, concluding that no off-site upgrades are necessary as a result of the development. The applicant is currently working with the city’s property manager to utilize a strip of city land to the east of the subject properties (adjacent to the Yale Road overpass) for the proposed development through a Licence of Occupation. The applicant wishes to fence off this portion of land to be used as an at-grade amenity space for residents of the building. Staff are agreeable to the use of the space as it was identified as a “hot route” in the applicant’s Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) report. The licence of occupation will allow the space to be fenced, with the required maintenance of the strip by the future strata, including removal of graffiti from the west side of the Yale Road overpass adjacent to the development.

Wellness Centre

Chilliwack mayor looking forward to opening of new shelter

3h ago

Sales increase

Real Estate Board encouraged by monthly trends in Fraser Valley

4h ago

Do not approach

Chilliwack RCMP hunt for wanted man

4h ago

The two properties combined are 125,888 square feet, or 2.89 acres (1.17 ha). Their combined assessed value is $6,608,000, according to public records available on BC Assessment’s website.

Based on information from the city staff report, there is currently no indication the proposed housing development would be subsidized or government-funded housing.