An artist rendering of a proposed 171-unit multi-family residential development at 325 Watfield Ave., with a development permit recently approved by Nanaimo City Council. (City of Nanaimo)

By Jordan Davidson

more housing

Another approved Watfield Ave. development permit means more housing for south Nanaimo neighbourhood

Dec 21, 2023 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — More homes are coming to the east of Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS) following the approval of another development permit on Watfield Ave.

During their Monday, Dec. 18 regular council meeting, councillors unanimously approved a development permit for 325 Watfield Ave., to construct two six-storey buildings consisting of 171 multi-family residential units.

Counc. Erin Hemmens was the only one to speak on this development, expressing her full support for the project.

“I think the development that’s happening along both Third and Forth (streets) is really exciting. Some infill I agree. Transit, shopping, amenities, the university, it’s the right place for this and I’m excited to see it come forward.”

Nearby amenities also include an undeveloped park on Howard Ave., NDSS, the Rotary Bowl, Serauxmen Stadium, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Nanaimo Ice Centre.

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325 Watfield Ave. is currently an abandonded lot, lagging behind areas to the north and west which have been developed in recent years. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The lot, located on the west side of Watfield Ave. south of Third St., is currently vacant and measures approximately 60m wide with a depth of 150m.

The two buildings will be a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with more than half of them one and two-bedroom units.

It’ll also include an electric vehicle charging station at half of their parking stalls, a public pedestrian trail, an outdoor patio and a children’s play area.

Short and long-term bicycle parking is also proposed, along with a bike repair station in the lower underground parking lot.

The proposal came before the July 28 Design Advisory Panel, where the developers made a number of recommended changes, including increasing outdoor amenity space, increasing plant life, and reducing the height of one building to five stories closest to the south property line.

This is the second major development proposal approved for Watfield Ave., as a development proposal for a 168-unit townhouse complex at 380 and 385 Watfield Ave., located half a block south of the current proposed development, was also approved in July.

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jordan@Nanaimonewsnow.com.

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow