Two new buildings are expected to round out a property at the very northern tip of Nanaimo, featuring exclusively rental units. (D'Architecture/City of Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

BUILDING UP

New rental apartments at northern tip of Nanaimo given go-ahead

Sep 1, 2022 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Phase two of a housing development at the very northern edges of the city is moving ahead.

A development permit was granted at the Monday, Aug. 29 Council meeting for two, five-storey apartment buildings along the Island Hwy., near the intersection of the Island Hwy. and Nanaimo Parkway.

Jeremy Holm, director of development approvals for the City, told Councillors the project would see 149 units spread between the two buildings and complete a project on the space behind retails stores off Mary Ellen Dr.

“(The project is) well thought out, the building design and finish are high quality and they’re complementary to phase one. A nice addition to rental housing in the community.”

Thirteen studio spaces, 89 one-bedroom and 47 two-bedroom apartments are included in the design, all devoted to market rentals.

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Necessary parking will be included on site, with 78 underground and 86 surface spaces.

Both underground and surface parking is included in the design. (D’Architecture/City of Nanaimo)

A host of amenities for residents and neighbours will round out the site including a trail network, dog run and other green space.

“The site design is intended to maximize the street presence and takes advantage of solar gain,” Holm added, along with the fact design elements were structured to increase grass and other landscaping to absorb rainfall.

Two variances were included in the approval.

One reduced the required setback of one of the buildings from the Island Hwy., while another allowed for the building to be 3.5 metres taller than typically allowed.

Holm said the five storey structures are becoming typical for the Woodgrove urban centre, with buildings up to 12 storeys currently permitted.

Coun. Tyler Brown also noted the developers took feedback from a December design advisory panel meeting and made adjustments to parking allocation, garbage collection and the overall look of the property based on the panel’s feedback.

The project must still receive a building permit before construction can begin.

The complex adds onto an already completed development, just north of Woodgrove Centre. (D’Architecture/City of Nanaimo)

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