Large, family-orientated townhouses are planned for north Nanaimo, in a currently treed lot off Laguna Way. (ParaMorph)

By Alex Rawnsley

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NANAIMO — Large, family homes are planned for a currently forested lot in the city’s north end.

A 69-unit, 15-building townhouse complex is envisioned on an expansive Ambience Dr. property, off Laguna Way, in north Nanaimo.

The development would comprise exclusively of family-oriented units, including 13 three-bedroom and 56 four-bedroom layouts, with several offering additional den or office space.

“Whether it’s a young family, a downsizer or someone looking to live closer to the parks and trees, we’ve tried to make this community inviting for a range of people,” Aman Sandhu, project architect, said.

The mixture of three and four bedroom units would also include additional den or office space. (ParaMorph)

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Presenting to the City of Nanaimo’s Design Advisory Panel on Thursday, Sept. 11, Sandhu said the floor plans would range between 1,730 and 2,378 square feet.

Vehicle access to the site would be to the northeast of the property, off Ambience Dr., with all 15 buildings accessible via vehicle and pedestrian connections.

A total of 161 parking spaces are accounted for on the property, including 23 visitor stalls scattered throughout the development.

Three resident amenity areas are also proposed.

Sandhu said the buildings themselves would use a mixture of natural tones to blend well into the surrounding landscape.

“We believe this development brings together the best of both worlds: modern, livable homes and a strong connection to the natural beauty to the area. In design, we have taken care and with the goal of being a meaningful part of this community.”

The Panel made six minor recommendations to the plans, including a request to consider changing the colour scheme on some buildings to help differentiate them.

Members of the Panel also supported a requested height variance on four of the 15 buildings, ranging from 1.3 metres to two metres over the allowable nine metre limit.

The property is currently under review for rezoning, while development and building permits must be issued before construction can begin.

Entrance to the complex would be off Ambience Dr., to the northeast. (ParaMorph)

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