Thirty-four townhouse units are envisioned for a Tunnah Rd. property, just off Uplands Dr. (dHKarchitects)

By Alex Rawnsley

housing project

Rezoning underway for housing complex off Nanaimo’s Uplands Dr.

Jul 9, 2025 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Nearly three dozen townhouses are envisioned for a currently wooded lot in the city’s centre.

City Councillors moved through the first three readings of a rezoning application on Monday, July 7, for 3397 Tunnah Rd., to allow for 34 townhouse units to be built across seven freestanding buildings.

The ground-entry units were subject to a public information meeting in early April, where around 15 local residents attended and expressed some concerns regarding traffic volumes in the neighbourhood.

On-street parking and insufficient pedestrian facilities were also flagged as potential issues.

Rezoning is underway for a Tunnah Rd. property, where 34 townhouse units are planned. (dHKarchitects)

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Traffic flows were of particular concern for Coun. Sheryl Armstrong on Monday.

“We’ve had so many different complaints from that area before, and adding that many new vehicles because they’re all going to be driving for the most part. A lot of people still use that as a connector road, you said you don’t anticipate that being a problem but a lot of people will go down that road to go to Hammond Bay, to go that direction instead of going up Uplands Dr.”

In response, City director of development approvals Jeremy Holm said they anticipated the new development would help the situation.

“This prorperty, given the scale of it and its location, staff would not anticipate this to aggrevate the problem. If anything, the improvements to Tunnah Rd that we’ll see, the additional access and activity there will slow traffic if anything, but it wouldn’t contribute to the volume in any impactful way.”

A sidewalk along Tunnah Rd., along the property line, would be included as part of the project.

Developers will make a Community Amenity Contribution of approximately $129,200 to the City for the project, which would be split between a Housing Legacy Reserve Fund and local park and trail improvements.

Rezoning was supported unanimously by Council, with final adoption of the zoning bylaw amendment is due at a future Council meeting.

Development and building permits are still required before construction can begin.

The development is not subject to public consultation as a result of recent changes to legislation by the provincial government.

A rendering of the proposed design, showing 34 units spread across seven different buildings. (dHKarchitects)

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