High-profile north Nanaimo development proposal receives near unanimous Council support

“I have concerns which I’ve raised before…the traffic issues, safety issues, etc,” Armstrong said. “When I compare this to Sandstone, one of the issues for me was…land was given for a new school, land was given for a community centre, so it addressed a lot of those community issues. It had very broad support.”

Armstrong lives near the proposed development and said she’s heard very loudly from her neighbours who feel the area isn’t suitable for high-rise buildings, with some also opposed to the proposed commercial areas as well.

She also said she feels it’s extremely rushed, and the community wasn’t able to provide enough input.

The approved plans are simply a vision of what the City and developers would like to see eventually happen in the area, with the increase in density to occur gradually over a number of years.

Stephen Hinde was one of the citizens who spoke at the meeting in favour of the plan.

He lives close to Green Thumb and said he was happy to have a “forward-thinking council” making plans for the future, which he said is the best way to get sustainable solutions to make our city more attractive.

“I also think these developments are an excellent opportunity for the City to finally correct all the deficiencies of past developments, to put in proper width streets, to put in sidewalks, to put in cycling lanes, and all the other features that we have with our modern design standards.”

Hinde did have a few concerns about the possible increase in traffic congestion in the area, and the potential for new roads to be used as a traffic shortcut to access other areas of the city.

While Hinde said he would also be disappointed to see the Green Thumb Nursery no longer exist in its current state, he understands sacrifices have to be made in order to plan for the future.

Not everyone who spoke was in favour.

Bill Manners, a representative of the Dover Community Association, had several concerns for the project, including traffic congestion, an increase in housing prices and the possibility of buildings being built over six stories.

He said the needs of the community must be the highest priority when considering a project of this size.

“The need for community engagement must take priority over the wants and the desires of the proponent to push through quickly without engaging the community effectively.”

He also raised concerns about increased congestion and housing prices and warned of turning Nanaimo into a place like Vancouver, where record-setting rents and soaring housing costs are driving a lot of people out of the market.

A rendering of what the proposed Bowers District Master Plan will eventually look like in a few decades at the site of the Green Thumb Garden Centre. (City of Nanaimo)

The Bowers District Master Plan involves a compact urban village featuring a combination of low to mid-rise buildings, along with condos above the currently allowed six-storey limit.

Plans for the property bordered to the east by Uplands Dr. include commercial uses, a large park, networks of trails, open spaces and a central plaza.

The Green Thumb Garden Centre property would be developed over several decades, with various development approval processes would be required, including whether a building will be built higher than six stories.

The development plan cleared its first two readings during Council’s Dec. 6, 2021 meeting.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow

by Jordan Davidson

High-profile north Nanaimo development proposal receives near unanimous Council support

More Local News