Rendering of a proposed 116 unit multi-family development on Wembley Rd. at Church Rd. in Parksville. (City of Parksville)

By Ian Holmes

public hearing

Multi-family housing proposal draws concerns at Parksville public hearing

Nov 6, 2023 | 4:45 PM

PARKSVILLE — Several area residents are opposed to converting a wooded single-family zoned lot near Wembley Mall into a dense multi-family development.

Seven people, most of whom declared living in the area, approached Parksville City Council on Monday, Nov. 6 to speak against re-zoning a 2.5-acre property on Wembley Rd. at Church Rd. to make way for 116 residential units in two buildings.

“I have almost been hit twice going around the traffic circle on my bike, I have at the Wembley and Church intersection almost been hit there on my bike,” Linda Lawrence told council.

Grievances surrounding traffic and safety were common themes during the hearing.

Lawrence said seniors especially struggle to safely walk around the Church Rd. area, which has become increasingly busy over the years.

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“I’m scared somebody’s going to get run over,” she said.

Kelowna-based Highstreet Ventures pitched conceptual plans for a pair of four-storey buildings: one with 76 units, the other with 40, for 413 Wembley Rd.

Underground parking and a residents’ amenity building would be included, according to the City.

A developer contribution of $46,000 to Parksville Fire Rescue was seen by several residents as far short for a volunteer department tasked with ever-increasing responsibility.

The developer stated it intended to promote a compact, pedestrian-friendly community.

…”but also serves as a demonstration that sustainable, Step 4 BC Energy Step Code compliant communities are achievable in Parksville.”

While area resident Susan McAlevy applauded the green building provision, she blasted plans to remove many of the lots’ trees.

She said the developer previously stated publicly that it’s unclear if the units will be for sale or rent.

McAlevy cited the City’s own Official Community Plan’s desire for affordable housing to be included in multi-family development applications.

“Condos are not affordable housing, if the developer was building apartments and was willing to have a certain percentage of those units designated for below market rents for people whose incomes are not sufficient to pay market rates, then this important stipulation could be met.”

Laura Dempsey outlined similar concerns during her address to council.

“Nothing has been mentioned about this project about being affordable, I think the only person who’s going to benefit is the developer,” Dempsey said.

Numerous residents criticized a traffic study done on behalf of the developer in the fall of 2021, arguing the metrics gathered at the time during the pandemic era don’t reflect existing conditions.

Several speakers raised questions about a lack of water in Parksville, including an area resident reporting low water pressure at his home.

Parksville fell under stage four watering restrictions for an extended period this past summer.

Twelve items of correspondence, all opposed to the multi-family housing application, were sent to the City prior to the public hearing.

413 Wembley Rd. is a forested single-family lot directly across the street from Wembley Mall. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

While re-imagining what 413 Wembley Rd. could look like has its share of naysayers, William Reeve isn’t one of them.

Informing council he lives about a kilometre north of the proposed development in a single-family home, Reeve said the application represents the kind of place he’d like to call home one day.

“In fact, I think this is one of the most suitable locations for building multi-unit housing in the Parksville area,” Reeve said in reference to the amenity-packed area.

Acknowledging traffic congestion concerns exist, Reeve said high-density housing across the street from Wembley Mall would reduce reliance on vehicles.

“…this building will not exacerbate those problems, it might even improve them — at least if people like me were able to live there we would be walking rather than driving on Wembley Rd.”

The proposal requires two additional votes in favour in order to proceed.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

Ian.holmes@pattison.media.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes