A rendering of the proposed townhouses at 2453 Labieux Rd. (City of Nanaimo)

By Jordan Davidson

needed housing

Re-zoning applications being supported to pave way for more family homes in Nanaimo

Sep 1, 2023 | 5:30 AM

Editor’s Note — An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated re-zoning applications had been “approved”. This is incorrect as they must still proceed to public hearing and other steps via Council. We apologize for the error or any confusion it caused.

NANAIMO — City Council are paving the way for dozens of family-geared housing units to be built.

A pair of rezoning applications were given first and second reading during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 28, with a focus on planned developments along Metral Dr. and Labieux Rd.

Councillors voted unanimously to support rezoning 6124 Metral Dr., at the end of Dunbar Rd., to accommodate 91 residential units of varying size across two, three to four storey buildings with parking provided on-site.

All vehicle access to the site would be from Metral Dr. with additional access planned to the south as properties continue to be developed.

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As a condition of rezoning the applicant would likely provide a Community Amenity Contribution, with an anticipated contribution of $343,660.

Forty per cent would be directed towards the City’s Housing Legacy Reserve Fund, while the remaining 60 per cent would go towards local parks and trail improvements.

Another rezoning application was for 2453 Labieux Rd, west of Beban Park wedged between York Cres. and Autumnwood Dr.

The zoning is proposed to change from Single Dwelling Residential to Low Density Residential, with a plan to build three-story family-friendly townhouses with ground-level garages.

A condition to the rezoning from City Staff included securing a commitment to 100 per cent family-friendly housing, which means three or more bedrooms per unit, in addition to a common outdoor amenity area.

Nearby amenities include Beban Park, Diver Lake Park and commercial services along Bowen Rd.

The lot currently has a single family home, while the remainder is undeveloped and contains a number of trees.

A public information meeting took place in June at Beban Park, where 14 members of the public attended where some voiced concern about pedestrian safety if the new development goes through.

They were told all street frontages would be reconstructed to include sidewalks and a raised intersection for safer crossings at Autumnwood Dr. as a condition for rezoning.

A Community Amenity Contribution was also a condition, an expected contribution of $75,000.

Forty per cent would be directed towards the Housing Legacy Reserve Fund, 30 per cent towards parks and trail improvements, and the final 30 per cent towards active transportation improvements on Labieux Rd.

Both rezoning applications must still process through additional stages, including more votes from Council before being adopted.

Conceptual building perspectives for the proposed 91-unit multi-family development at 6124 Metral Dr. (City of Nanaimo)

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