The proposed building off Dufferin Cres. would see 86 units built across five-storeys and feature a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. 

By Nathan Maley

new housing

Eighty-six unit apartment complex eyed for Nanaimo’s Dufferin Crescent

May 13, 2024 | 6:17 AM

NANAIMO — Additional amenities and adjustments to entry spaces were seen as desired improvements to a proposed housing development.

An 86-unit apartment complex is slated to be built on a current vacant lot along Dufferin Cres., near Bowen Rd. in central Nanaimo, with the City’s Design Advisory Panel providing 10 recommendations after reviewing the plans.

Panel member Nathan Middleton questioned parking allocations on the property, potentially taking away from other uses for the limited land space.

“Reducing parking is always the way to go, congestion of parking is the way to go, and I know it sounds backwards but that’s the direction all urban cities are going.”

An underground parking garage would allow for 81 spaces, plus another 59 on surface level. City guidelines mandate a minimum of 109 spaces for a property of this size and configuration.

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

3h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

6h ago

young volunteers

'Make a big difference:' Nanaimo volunteers collecting warm clothing for those in need

7h ago

Forty-five long-term bike storage spaces are also included in the current plans along with 10 short-term lock up spots.

The five-storey building will curve to follow the street alignment, and would consist of 40 one-bedroom units and 46 being two-bedroom suites.

Developers have also asked for a variance on the building height, with a planned height of 16.91 metres, over the allowed 14 metres.

Also proposed is a dog park on the property, something some members of the panel felt could be potentially expanded.

“It will be interesting if they are willing to explore expanding the dog area, and maybe losing a few parking spots,” Hector Alcala added in his comments.

In total, the panel approved the proposed development with 10 recommendations.

Those included reducing some of the parking, improving amenity space and improve the visual appeal of the building entrances.

The project still requires development and building permits to proceed.

The propsed buidling would be built just off of Bowen Rd. behind stores like Rexall, Tim Hortons, and Pharmasave

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

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW