Coun. Donovan Cavers told a lunchtime audience Monday he believes in an urban growth boundary and is working quietly on alternative power projects for Kamloops.

The City’s green councillor also reiterated his steadfast opposition to the proposed Ajax mine during his talk at Kamloops Rotary Club.

Cavers spoke briefly on the City’s green initiatives, outlining various planning documents for transit, bicycles, pedestrian walkway and agricultural planning.

The passionate advocate of transit — who took the bus from a class at Thompson Rivers University to the lunch at Hotel 540 downtown — said expansion of transit is about more than reducing use of fossil fuels.

“It builds a lot of community,” he said. “That’s overlooked in a transit plan.”

Other benefits of riding the bus include increased walking by transit users. Bus riders also meet neighbours and other residents, he said, unlike drivers who only emerge from their garages encased inside a car.

The former Green party candidate has also spoken with City officials about potential community power projects. In an interview, he said ideas remain preliminary but it could come through a solar farm or wind turbines.

Cavers said he’s also contacted developers at Tranquille on the Lake about utilizing wind power, though he acknowledged “we really don’t have the geography for a large wind farm.”

During a question and answer session, Cavers reiterated his opposition to Ajax mine.

“I’m in no way, shape or form opposed to mining,” he said. “I just believe the project (Ajax) is too close.”

The councillor also said he believes in a hard urban boundary for Kamloops development so suburban sprawl doesn’t continue outward. He said such a boundary would encourage infill and stop expansion of expensive fire and police services.