A full-sized neighbourhood scale grocery story is envisioned for south Parksville's resort row. (City of Parksville)

By Ian Holmes

notable development

Grocery store envisioned as part of large development in south Parksville

May 22, 2025 | 7:33 AM

PARKSVILLE — Amendments are being requested to allow a neighbourhood-scale grocery store to be built in the city’s south end.

Envisioned to be located adjacent to a substantial three-building, 233-unit residential rental project newly under construction, the same developer wants variances for 1180 Resort Way, located just off the Island Hwy.

Parksville City Council unanimously approved first reading for a zoning and development bylaw amendment for an undeveloped 2.6-acre southeast portion of the property during a Wednesday, May 21, council meeting.

Several councillors expressed concerns regarding negative impacts on downtown Parksville businesses and other local grocery retailers, which was countered by a project agent.

“In our vision, this is not going to be a bad competition, rather it’s going to add to the increasing demand in Parksville and respond to what the community needs,” Echo Ren, speaking on behalf of the developer, told councillors.

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Significantly boosting the size of an allowable grocery store to over 18,000 square feet, up from 6,500 square feet, is a key request of the developer.

The planned grocery store would be in addition to boutique-sized, ground-level commercial offerings, potentially involving services like a cafe, dental office and a hair salon, Ren told the meeting.

Upwards of 72 residential or tourist accommodation units are permitted for the project’s planned second phase.

While declaring there are many aspects of the concept he likes, Coun. Joel Grenz is concerned about the impact a larger grocery store would have.

“I also don’t want it to cannibalize our other grocery retailers that are already established here in Parksville, so I think that’s something Council should consider moving forward, but I look forward to the public engagement process.”

The proposal is slated to be the topic of a yet-to-be-scheduled open house.

Parksville’s director of community planning and building Blaine Russell said while the matter at this point is destined for a public hearing, he noted Council has the power to revoke the process.

Mayor Doug O’Brien, who lives near the development, expressed his support for what he’s seen and heard so far.

“Right now, if you get that quart of milk and those hamburger buns, you can’t get it on that side of the orange bridge. This is going to help that and I think it’s an environmentally good move in my opinion,” O’Brien said.

Two levels of residential housing are anticipated on top of the smaller commercial services, while the grocery store is expected to be a stand-alone building.

Three six-storey rental buildings with 233 units in the top half of the rendering are under construction, while the planned second phase is on the bottom half. The envisioned enlarged grocery story is on the bottom right. (City of Parksville)

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