A property on Arbot Rd., which currently houses the Westwood Tennis Club, was subject to rezoning efforts with townhouses envisioned, however Council opted not to proceed. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

not here, not now

‘Not a good fit:’ townhouse rezoning rejected near Nanaimo’s Westwood Lake

Oct 21, 2025 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Development of 30 townhouses on a lot along the shores of Westwood Lake has been knocked back at the first opportunity.

City Councillors voted 7-2 against first reading of a rezoning bylaw for 2367 Arbot Rd., the current site of the Westwood Lake Tennis Club, on Monday, Oct. 20, where a low-density residential housing development was envisioned.

Votes were swayed by nearly a dozen delegations, mainly nearby residents, appearing before Council to plead for preservation of their neighbourhood and the tranquil lakefront.

“This is not a good fit for Westwood Lake, widely regarded as the jewel of Nanaimo,” Lois Powell, a nearby resident, said. “A natural space enjoyed by residents and visitors for walking, biking, swimming and connecting with nature. The six kilometre walk trail is integral for our city’s identity and quality of life.”

Aerial view of a rezoning application to create more housing on Arbot Rd. near the top of Mill St. (City of Nanaimo)

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Powell, joined by several others, also suggested rezoning of this subject property would also put increased pressure on neighbouring properties, including two to the west, two to the east and one to the north, to bid for rezoning.

“This type of housing density will destroy the natural tranquility of the lake and change the neighbourhood forever. If this is approved, this zoning application will set a dangerous precedent [as] there are at least four other private properties that could follow suit, turning the natural perimeter of the lake into a wall of townhouses and possible condos.”

Another nearby resident, John Blackman, said should those properties be developed to the same density proposed for 2367 Arbot Rd., over 200 residential units would result.

“The community feels passionately about this,” Blackman said. “I’m unaware, apart from the developer’s spokesperson, of any other person who will address this Council and speak before it. If it means anything, if the community input means anything, I urge you to turn this down.”

A majority of Council followed Blackman’s request.

Coun. Tyler Brown said he wouldn’t be surprised to see this land developed over time, however now wasn’t it.

“At this table, the decision before us is very strictly land use. That whole area is the same designation in the OCP, or City Plan, which is suburban. I do think there’s a lot of good justification for increased density in our city…I don’t think this is a particularly great place for increased density in the near term.”

The lone votes in favour of rezoning came from Coun. Ian Thorpe and Mayor Leonard Krog.

Thorpe said the developer had already made substantial changes to their concept plan based on community feedback, and change was sometimes necessary, albeit difficult.

“We are not talking about rezoning park land, we’re not talking about destroying the lake as I think I heard somebody say. This is private property and the owner wishes to sell, and redevelop and that is absolutely their right. Personally, I would love it if it stayed a recreational facility.”

An applicant had intended to redevelop the nearly three-acre property into 10 townhouse buildings with a total of 30 units in two or three-storey buildings.

Included in the rezoning plan was a three-metre wide public pathway connecting Arbot Rd. to the Westwood Lake Park trail network.

Preserving mature trees was also included in the rezoning process for visual and noise buffering between the proposed development and the lake.

A community amenity contribution of nearly $170,000 was proposed for City parks and trail improvements and for the City’s Housing Letacy Reserve Fund.

At a public information meeting last fall, 70 members of the public attended, where concerns were expressed regarding densification and off-street parking among other grievances.

Coun. Brown, Ben Geselbracht, Hilary Eastmure, Janice Perrino, Erin Hemmens, Paul Manly, and Sheryl Armstrong all voted against rezoning on first reading.

The vote was unusual as debate on a particular bylaw reading more typically occurs at the second reading stage.

Opposition to the proposal increased in recent weeks, with signs posted on public property outside. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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