A rendering of the proposed three-storey apartment building with 21 units at 2126 Meredith Rd. on the corner of Tulsa Rd., which recently had a development permit approved. (City of Nanaimo)

By Jordan Davidson

Ongoing trend

Apartment building with 21 small units moving forward off Nanaimo’s Bowen Rd.

Dec 7, 2024 | 6:01 AM

NANAIMO — More residential, compact housing appears destined for central Nanaimo after a development permit was awarded for a three-storey apartment building.

Located at 2126 Meredith Rd., a block west of Bowen Rd. at the corner of Tulsa Rd., the proposed 21-unit complex will consist of nine studio units, and 12 one-bedroom units with some having dens, ranging from 450 to 750 square feet in size.

While technically not small enough for micro-unit status for the developer to obtain permitting savings, the development represents a trend of smaller housing units being built in Nanaimo in recent years.

The development permit renewal was approved during the Monday, Dec. 2 council meeting, as the site had a previous development permit approved in 2019 lapse, and now the owner wants to move forward with the previously approved plans.

Underground parking is also planned with vehicle access off Tulsa Rd., along with secured long-term bicycle parking on the ground floor and short-term bicycle parking near the front entrance.

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A rendering of the proposed 21-unit apartment building off Meredith Rd. (City of Nanaimo)

The property previously contained a home which is listed on the City’s Heritage registry, however, it is not a designated heritage building, did not have protected status and has since been removed.

A number of variances were also approved and supported by City staff, including a rear yard setback of 3.25 metres, down from the minimum required 7.5 metres to accommodate under-building parking and stormwater management.

A minimum required landscape buffer zone of 1.8 metres was also removed to accommodate the required parking spaces on the east side of the property, along with adding an additional small car parking space, bringing the maximum permitted percentage of small car parking to 48 per cent, up from 40.

A fence will be erected along the parking lot perimeter to stop vehicle headlights from shining into the units from adjacent properties.

This project is similar to other developments proposed and constructed in Nanaimo this year, including a downtown office building converted into 23 micro-units at 420 Albert St. this summer, and an approved development permit for a 31 micro-unit complex at 337 Robson St. in March.

More information on the house which used to be located at 2126 Meredith Rd. (City of Nanaimo Heritage Register)

The currently vacant lot at 2126 Meredith Rd. is in a neighborhood of primary single and multi-family dwellings, next to a religious institution and within 500 metres of Beban Park, an elementary school, and other recreational facilities. (Jordan Davidson)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNOW