Businesses such as a restaurant, pub and bike repair shop are envisioned for the artisian/village feel of the Foothills commercial core. (Lone Tree Properties Ltd.)

By Ian Holmes

Foothills update

Foothills proponent to make push for increased density

Mar 7, 2022 | 5:20 AM

NANAIMO — The builder behind a substantial housing development underway in upper Lantzvillle hopes to construct additional housing on top of 730 residences already approved.

Lone Tree Properties Ltd. director and CEO Allard Ockeloen said they intend to increase the allowable density of the Foothills community to 814 residential units, with most of the additional intended housing geared toward multi-family builds.

“We have a rezoning application with the District now and we expect that to be read into council, into the public domain in the next month or so,” Ockeloen said.

The additional housing is pitched to better support the village core commercial component planned just past the entrance to the development on Harwood Dr.

“Really our focus is shifting towards the energy that that village core will require, that’s really our mission today,” Ockeloen said, noting the village core is expected to be built between 2023 and 2025.

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Phase two involves rolling out 19 single-family lots to the market in the next few weeks, which Ockeloen expects will take around one year to build.

“Then we’re building and moving towards a third phase of single-family, multi-family townhomes,” Ockeloen said.

Building plan phases for the Foothills development (Lone Tree Properties Ltd.)

One hundred single-family lots were sold in the recently completed initial phase of the Foothills vision, of which Ockeloen estimated has resulted in 60 homes constructed since 2018.

The Foothills development team is hosting a public open house to engage with the community to discuss its official community plan and zoning application.

The event takes place at the Lantzville Legion at 7227 Lantzville Rd. on Thursday, March 24 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., or 7 p.m., and those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at https://www.thefoothillslifestyle.com.

A substantial amount of detail at the town hall style event will include artist renderings of the village core.

The Foothills involves more than 1,800 acres, including 730 acres of park space, nestled on the bluffs of upper Lantzville stretching between Harwood Dr. to eventual access to the south via Vipond Rd.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes