The Nissan of Nanaimo dealership in central Nanaimo is poised to get a refresh,, with a development permit awarded by Councillors this week. (City of Nanaimo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

RENOVATIONS

Development permit awarded for big revamp of Nanaimo Nissan dealership

Nov 12, 2023 | 9:33 AM

NANAIMO — Substantial renovations and redesign to a local car dealership are on the horizon.

City councillors voted 8-1 in favour of awarding a development permit for a re-build of the Nissan of Nanaimo dealership along the Island Hwy. at 107th St., next to Country Club Centre.

The expansive proposed facility would include an underground, 52-stall vehicle storage area covering roughly 17,200 square feet of space. A slightly smaller ground level showroom would also host offices, 10 service bays, wash and auto detailing areas and a service drive through.

Landscaping would adorn the outskirts of the property on all four sides and include different tree and plant species combined with pole lighting.

Jeremy Holm, director of development approvals for the City of Nanaimo, told councillors the proposal went to the Design Advisory Panel twice, in July and September, for revisions and recommendations.

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City staff then worked with the applicant to refine the proposal further instead of a third visit to the Panel.

“Some of the revisions they made were…larger windows, increasing contrast and texture on the building, improving outdoor seating and amenity areas, reducing the number of surface parking stalls, improving the landscape plan overall…and enhancing pedestrian connectivity on the site and to the adjacent street.”

The building, located at the northern end of the property, had three variances approved related to building height, parking and setback. (City of Nanaimo)

Three variances were also included in the development permit application.

A front yard setback will allow the building to be further away than typical from the road, a location of parking area variance will allow for vehicle parking between the road and building while a minimum required height variance can permit the main area to be, technically, one storey.

Holm said all three are typical variances given to car dealerships.

“Typically two stories are required, what’s proposed here is one storey although it appears as two by massing and there’s a mezzanine within the building. This is substantially consistent with other proposals.”

A building permit is still required from the City in order for construction to begin. Should shovels go in the ground, the dealership will remain open at its current location throughout.

Coun. Hilary Eastmure was the lone vote against the application, sighting concerns over the Design Advisory Panel process.

She added she’s “optimistic” a visual feature on the corner of the Island Hwy. and 107th St. will come to fruition through design reviews or construction.

An increased number and size of windows were among several recommendations from the city’s Design Advisory Panel. (City of Nanaimo)

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