The Community Services Building is set to become a supportive housing complex near the heart of the city. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

development

Development permit granted to turn service building into supportive housing

Jul 6, 2021 | 4:33 PM

NANAIMO — The process of turning a vital hub for Nanaimo’s homeless into supportive housing is going ahead.

Councillors approved a development permit and housing agreement for 285 Prideaux St. on Monday, July 5. The building, which houses the 7-10 Club and a shelter, is slated to become a four storey, 51-unit supportive housing complex.

The only issue presented during discussion around the council table was a parking variance reducing the number of spots from 10 to six spaces, something which coun. Sheryl Armstrong opposed.

“We heard the same thing from BC Housing when they put in the units for Seniors that 13 spaces would be enough. We now have a petition before us with well over 70 names because there isn’t enough parking. I don’t think six is going to be sufficient. There’s visitors who come, there’s no parking in the area.”

Coun. Erin Hemmens said she understood the concern but thought “the potential of turning down 51 supportive housing units that is part of a memorandum of understanding we’ve signed for the sake of four parking spaces would not be in our best interest.”

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While coun. Armstrong voted against the parking variance, she supported both the development permit and housing agreement.

The City will also look at adding public art at the site in the future.

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