Fifteen buildings featuring 34 townhouses are proposed for a vacant lot along Hammond Bay Rd. in north Nanaimo. The project was awarded a development permit Monday night. (dHK Architects Inc.)

By Alex Rawnsley

housing development

North Nanaimo family-orientated townhouse development given green light

Jul 11, 2024 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — Development of a multi-family residential community off Hammond Bay Rd. can proceed.

Councillors unanimously granted a development permit to dHK Architects Inc. for a 34-unit project at 4670 Hammond Bay Rd., a currently forested lot west of Neck Point Park.

Fifteen buildings would include suites ranging from 2,000 to 2,400 square feet, all of which would be three bedrooms plus a flex room. Access to the new homes would come off Ney Dr. to the north.

“A decent multi family, infill, family sized three bedrooms units, close proximity to schools, amenities and pedestrian facilities, trails in the area and preservation of significant environmentally sensitive land within the parcel are protected through this proposal,” Jeremy Holm, City director of development approvals, told Councillors on Monday, July 8.

Joining the former Piper’s Pub location to the west and nearby Neck Point Park, the new development (bottom right) would be accessed off Ney Dr. to the north. (dHK Architects Inc.)

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It was the protection of the environmental surroundings which made up most of the discussion Monday night.

Holm noted environmentally sensitive areas were identified early and the project adjusted accordingly.

“The development’s been concentrated to the northeastern portion of the site, you can see there’s significant wetlands and water courses that impact the south and west portion of the site so they’ve concentrated the development outside of the required watercourse setbacks.”

Around 44 per cent of the property will be dedicated by developers as parkland, according to Holm.

The townhouses proposed are geared towards family use, each containing three bedrooms plus a bonus room. (dHK Architects Inc.)

Coun. Hilary Eastmure, in addition to being supportive of the environmental protections, said the City’s Design Advisory Panel helped add some enhancements to the project.

Raised sidewalks, a pedestrian crossing areas and a landscape feature on site were all recommendations from the panel in October 2023.

Six build height variances were requested, and granted, as part of the application with three of the buildings going 4.5 metres above permitted height, in order to add a rooftop deck and pergola.

The remaining three exceeding limits by one metre or less.

“The variance requests are quite minimal and just thrilled to see 34 townhouses, family homes near schools, raised sidewalks, an excellent development,” Coun. Janice Perrino added.

Council supported the permit unanimously, with the project given a green light to proceed to building permit phase before construction can begin.

Located just off Hammond Bay Rd. (left), the new townhouse development would join onto an existing north Nanaimo neighbourhood. (dHK Architects Inc.)

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