Phase two of a multi-family development on Hansen Rd. in central Nanaimo has passed the design advisory panel phase, looking to add another 42 units to the area in a dozen townhouses behind the new under-construction Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes compound on East Wellington Rd.  (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

next phase

Apartments swapped for townhomes in phase two of central Nanaimo development

Apr 1, 2025 | 4:52 PM

NANAIMO — Phase two of a large proposed central Nanaimo multi-family housing development has taken another step forward.

Located on newly constructed Hansen Rd. off East Wellington Rd., phase two will add a further 42 three-bedroom units across a dozen tri and fourplex buildings, for a total of 91 units in both phases.

Rasila Herman with Family Tree Developments spoke at the March 27 design and advisory panel meeting saying were originally approved for a pair of four-storey apartment buildings, but realized townhouses were a better fit.

“This section of the lot is where we were initially intending to put two apartment buildings. We crunched some numbers and determined that the townhouse format was working better, so that is how we arrived at this layout here.”

Phase one of the project has been under construction for a while now, with many families already living in the 49 units being constructed, with phase two completing area’s vision.

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Each townhouse in phase two will come with a garage for vehicle and bicycle parking, with just over 200 parking spots in total once the second phase is complete, well above the City-required 167 parking spaces.

Herman said they will also be adding in some crosswalks and walking paths, creating a small looping pathway throughout the area.

“There’s crosswalks that connect the south loop parkway up to the pathway that goes to the central park, so there’s like a nice, full, figure eight loop that you can do walking the whole property.”

The phases will be connected by two large arbours providing pedestrian access to an outdoor amenity space which includes accessible seating, landscaping, and a basketball court.

Herman said they felt the basketball court would open up the playing area for people of all ages.

“We did consider a playground. The reason we went with the basketball court, was it was a little bit more multi-age appropriate. You can use it for more uses, multi-purpose…kids can still rip around on their scooters or bounce a ball.”

A motion to accept the proposal as presented without any variances requested, but with several recommendations for the developer to consider.

Those include adding a bench along the pathway, considering a different kind of bike rack not to impede access to the picnic table, adding a path between some of the units for easier access, and consider adding fencing or landscaping for more privacy between each unit’s patios.

The project must still come before Nanaimo council in the future for final approval of the development permit.

Phase one of the development is nearing completion, with families already occupying some of the 49 units of the first phase. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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