An artist rendering of what a large housing proposal for the old Malaspina Gardens site on Machleary St. would look like. Sketch depicts looking uphill from Kennedy St. (Molnar Group.)

By Ian Holmes

Heated issue

Old City Quarter proposal in limbo after lengthy public hearing adjourned

Sep 19, 2019 | 6:22 PM

NANAIMO — It remains unclear if a hotly contested housing proposal at the former Malaspina Gardens site will get off the ground.

A marathon public hearing for 388 Machleary St. was adjourned Thursday, Sept. 19 after city councillors opted not to continue the hearing past 11 p.m.

The hearing will resume on the evening of October 9.

At issue is a 175-unit multi-family proposal which amounts to drastically higher than allowable residential density for the site.

Nanaimo Old City Association vice president Ian Knipe was one of several area residents to strongly criticize the project before council.

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“This proposed amendment is not in compliance with the current official community plan, nor the Old City Neighbourhood Plan. In fact, it’s so far out of compliance that it makes a mockery of the whole planning process,” Knipe said.

Several other local residents pointed to traffic and safety concerns as major red flags.

Others in the standing room only gallery believe the modern west coast-inspired development would clash with the neighourhood’s character homes.

Longtime area resident and business owner Erik McLean said while he supports density, the proposal’s sheer size is problematic.

“It goes against the OCP and was rejected by its residents, why are we even here?”

The plan by Vancouver based developer Molnar Group envisions three, four-story apartment style buildings on the lower Kennedy St. side. Three-two storey townhouse buildings would be located near Machleary St. to minimize loss of views.

All but 15 of the 165 parking spaces would be located underground.

Several Molnar representatives and consultants provided context to council regarding the project’s benefits.

The developer’s amenity contributions would amount to $175,000, featuring pedestrian and cycling improvements at the intersection of Machleary and Albert streets. $65,00 worth of enhancements are pledged by Molnar Group to upgrade nearby Pawson Park.

A City of Nanaimo staff report is supportive of the initiative, which states the property is in close proximity to corridor zoned properties on Fitzwilliam St.

The City said the scale and massing of the proposal would be generally consistent with current zoning, however the current Community Service One land designation is limited to institutional use.

The City said the project would increase residential density and encourage sustainability in transit and active transportation, among other objectives.

Molnar Group presented a revised conceptual plan for the property to area residents in 2018.

The proposal recently passed two readings, setting the stage for Thursday evening’s lengthy hearing.

A critical third reading vote is expected following the Oct. 9 meeting.

388 Machleary St. first served as a hospital in the 1800’s before it was repurposed into Malaspina College.

For nearly 30-years the site was a seniors’ care home, before ultimately meeting the wrecking ball in 2017.

— Editors note: this story was updated to clarify the land designation of 388 Machleary St.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes