City councillors narrowly opposed redeveloping land across from South Parkway Plaza shopping complex. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

shot down

Council rejects mixed use development proposal in Chase River

Apr 26, 2022 | 2:10 PM

NANAIMO — Citing too many unknowns including traffic challenges, councillors narrowly opposed plans for several businesses off the Trans Canada Hwy. in south Nanaimo.

A developer’s official community plan amendment for multiple bare lots on the highway at Maki Rd. on the eastern edge of the Southgate commercial centre was rejected in a 5-4 vote on Monday, April 25 following extended debate by councillors.

The concept aimed to establish commercial retail buildings for drive-thru fast-food businesses, a gas station, a two-storey office building and a multi-tenant light industrial building.

The concept went against a staff recommendation to proceed.

Coun. Ian Thorpe, spoke strongly in favour of the plan and took issue with staff’s criticism of the project’s scope.

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“Well I’m sorry, since when did we declare war on drive-thrus? We had a discussion about discouraging, but it’s not policy that staff should use that as a reason to recommend against a development,” Thorpe said.

The City’s draft plan, expected to be adopted later this year as part of the Reimagine Nanaimo process, envisions a secondary urban centre for the area.

Integrating a mix of commercial, service, community and residential components, along with non-vehicular safety amenities are also desired for the properties.

Jeremy Holm, the City’s director of development approvals, described the development pitch as an intensive auto-centric project.

“The proposal as it stands is relatively inefficient land use with relatively high intensity traffic generation with some road network concerns,” Holm told the meeting.

These development-ready lots won’t transform in the immediate future following a vote from City councillors on Monday, April 25. (City of Nanaimo)

The ministry of transportation and infrastructure (MOTI) stated it would not provide its required support of the concept, citing results of a traffic impact analysis and a proposed realignment of the frontage road among its concerns.

Councillors were told the Chase River Community Assn. supported the project, citing the economic benefits.

Coun. Tyler Brown didn’t see any upside in considering the proposal at this time, saying it just creates uncertainty for the applicant and more work for staff with an official community plan poised to be replaced.

“I do not see how proceeding in any fashion is rationale, reasonable or makes sense for any of the parties involved,” Brown said.

Ashley Garib, president of Joshua Development Corporation, told councillors re-zoning the land from corridor to a commercial/industrial designation provides the best value for all parties.

He said the properties are not conducive for residential use, pointing to safety concerns and being disconnected to established and future residential-heavy uses on the west side of the highway.

Garib had a meeting scheduled with the MOTI on Tuesday, April 26 regarding facilitating future development at the site.

Mayor Krog, along with councillors Armstrong, Thorpe and Turley were in support of advancing the project to the public hearing stage, while the balance of council was opposed.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes