By Spencer Sterritt

Habitat for Humanity given City land for new townhouse development

Oct 16, 2018 | 5:32 PM

NANAIMO — Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island now has a home in the Harewood neighbourhood for their latest housing project.

They were given three lots at the corner of Albert St. and Pine St. for the cost of $1 by Nanaimo city council on Monday, Oct. 15 in the last meeting of the current administration.

The city is also covering half of the development cost charges for the $4 million project.

Twelve townhouse units are proposed for the land to accommodate full families and two will be handicap accessible.

VIU associate dean Jessie Chalmers, speaking on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, told council they’ve heard positive feedback from the community about how the development will grow and thrive in the area.

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“Excellent project, great location, fantastic organization…great fill-in project on land that has sat vacant for as long as I can remember” were submitted to the organization at an open house about the project.

However, there were numerous concerns about damage to the nearly Cat stream.

“To build up that area with fill and to reduce the area is not a good plan for the sensitive area of the Cat Stream,” one comment read. “Concern about possible destruction of wilderness area adjacent to the Cat Stream. Right idea, wrong location,” many others said.

An environmental review was submitted to the City, commissioned by Habitat for Humanity. It said the project isn’t anticipated to impact the stream and riparian area, though work could be done to improve conditions on the ground.

Chalmers said talks with organizations involved in protecting rivers and streams are already underway.

“We aim to have a positive impact on the Cat stream by engaging the community and opportunities for restorative measures, including removal of garbage from the riparian areas, removal of invasive plants and re-planting damaged areas with native plants.”

City of Nanaimo staff told councillors there’s no report at this time indicating significant work needs to be done to ensure the Cat stream remains healthy.

Only coun. Bill Bestwick was opposed to providing the land.

Habitat for Humanity will now proceed to the design and development phase of their project.

Families chosen to live in Habitat homes receive an interest and down-payment free mortgage. They are required to make the payments and contribute 500-hours of “sweat equity” volunteer time. Applications for Habitat homes are carefully reviewed by a committee before a family is chosen.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit