A required land use designation change for a Shenton Rd. property was endorsed as part of the approval process for a planned hotel on Diver Lake (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

proposed hotel

Proposed Diver Lake hotel inches closer to reality

Feb 8, 2022 | 3:11 PM

NANAIMO — Constructing a nearly 70 room lakefront hotel in Nanaimo is advancing following a required land use designation change for a vacant lot.

On Monday, Feb 7 city councillors endorsed converting the land use designation of 3679 Shenton Rd. from light industrial to corridor to make way for a 68 room non-branded boutique hotel.

Bill McKay, a representative for the developer, is hopeful the rezoning process will be completed over the next couple of months.

“Now we’re going to get down to the nuts and bolts. How we’re going to supply water, how we’re going to drain water, how we’re going to deal with sewage and all of these other servicing aspects, as well as final design,” McKay told NanaimoNewsNOW.

One final vote from councillors is required before the project advances to the permitting stage at City Hall.

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Councillors awarded third reading to an Official Community Plan and re-zoning amendment following a low event public hearing for the project last year.

Rendering of a planned 72-room hotel on Diver Lake (City of Nanaimo)

McKay said he’s hoping a building permit will be awarded and construction can start in two years.

While some people in the community have questioned the location for the hotel, McKay has the opposite view.

“It’s right across the highway from a major shopping centre and restaurants that are available for the folks who are going to come and stay. It’s a very quiet and quaint location.”

A fire damaged home was recently demolished at the 1.2 acre site, located beside Walker’s Saw Shop.

The hotel is planned to present as three storeys high from Shenton Rd. and four storeys on Diver Lake.

Re-zoning contributions include pledged parks and trail improvements in the Diver Lake area and granting the City right-of-way for a future lakeside trail.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes