More changes are on the way for the Alberni Hwy./Despard Ave. area with a newly approved rental housing complex. (City of Parksville)

By Ian Holmes

more housing

Substantial rental housing development approved in Parksville

Jun 3, 2024 | 4:10 PM

PARKSVILLE — Additional housing options are coming to Parksville after councillors unanimously approved a significant mixed-use project.

During a Monday, June 3 Parksville City Council meeting, 142 homes in a pair of four-storey buildings were approved on undeveloped property along the Alberni Hwy. at Despard Ave., opposite the Quality Foods development.

The project is primarily made of one-bedroom (102) and two-bedroom offerings (31), according to a City staff report.

Architect Dave McGrath told the meeting retail businesses are envisioned for four bottom floor spaces amounting to 5,000 square feet in total commercial space.

“But, we’ve always kept in mind that ‘Hey, if a restaurant wants to go in here, what can we do?'”

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One of the buildings is expected to house 86 units, the other to house 56.

All of the housing will be market rental rates, McGrath emphasized, speaking on behalf of Vancouver-based developer Molnar Group.

Four ground-floor commercial spaces will be constructed as part of the Molnar Group proposal. (City of Parksville)

Seventy-two of the 231 planned parking spaces are proposed to be underground, while secured bicycle storage will be available on the ground floor of both buildings.

A handful of electric vehicle charging stations are slated for the underground parking area, McGrath said.

An on-site community garden will be included, as well as the potential for a shed.

“It is nice to see we were able to find a location where it’s a substantial community garden area, it’s not just two or three beds,” McGrath said, stating extensive landscaping will be included.

He noted a split heating/cooling system for residents of the buildings will be installed as well.

McGrath anticipates construction could start late this summer for a project only requiring a building permit to proceed.

The development represents the latest in notable densification efforts at Parksville’s western edge, home to multiple new large-scale rental housing developments in the immediate area in recent years.

In 2021, the new Quality Foods store opened on the north side of the Alberni Hwy. Despard Ave. Intersection, which anchors a commercial complex.

Coun. Sylvia Martin touched on the strategic importance of the location.

“I’m so looking forward to this area looking done, because it’s a very important spot for Parksville,” she said.

View from the west on the Alberni Hwy. of the proposed mixed-use development. (City of Parksville)

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes