Family friendly housing will be the focus of a proposed development in Harewood with over 160 three and four bedroom townhouses planned. (City of Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

family friendly

Sizeable Harewood housing development given green light to proceed

Jul 11, 2023 | 9:29 AM

NANAIMO — A considerable injection of family-friendly townhouses are coming to the city’s south end.

City Councillors unanimously supported a development permit for two parcels of land on Watfield Ave., between Third St. and Fourth St., paving the way for a 168-unit townhouse complex to proceed.

Jeremy Holm, city director of development approvals, told councillors the developer committed to at least half family-friendly housing involving at least three bedrooms.

“Through the re-zoning application, the applicant committed to at least 50 per cent family-friendly housing. In this case, they’ve exceeded that pledge. What’s proposed here is 147 three-bedroom units and 21 four-bedroom units which is quite a nice complement to housing in the area.”

Four aisles of houses will be constructed on the lots, which are currently vacant and formerly home to a school house which was demolished in the mid-1990s.

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Parking for all residents will be contained on-site, in addition to 14 dedicated visitor spaces.

Holm added the site is well connected with walking and multi-use trails with easy access to amenities such as the Nanaimo Aquatic and Ice Centres, transit and the downtown.

The proposal received enthusiastic support from Council.

“It’s so nice to see family-friendly homes, get the shovel in the ground, let’s get going, it’s good to see,” coun. Janice Perrino said.

Mayor Leonard Krog said developments such as these can make a big impact on housing stock for people in Nanaimo.

“If my calculations are correct at 147 three-bedroom units and 21 four-bedroom units, assuming everyone gets a bedroom as opposed to the way many of us were raised with two or three in one bedroom…this would provide housing for 525 people in one development and all family friendly.”

Minor variances were also accepted by Council as part of the permit approval, including an increase of the overall building height by half a metre.

The project must still receive a building permit prior to construction getting underway.

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