A development permit has been issued for a four-storey, 36-unit building at 1225 Franklin Gull Rd. in Parksville, with the plan to offer non-market and affordable housing options. (City of Parksville)

By Jordan Davidson

workforce housing

Long envisioned affordable housing in Parksville receives go-ahead

Nov 18, 2025 | 1:23 PM

PARKSVILLE — A non-market rental building has received a development permit after years of advocacy by a local non-profit.

The land at 1225 Franklin Gull Rd. was donated to the Parksville Lions Housing Society (PLHS) by the City for the construction of a four-storey, 36-unit building with one, two, and three-bedroom non-market and affordable housing options.

During the Monday, Nov. 17, regular council meeting, Coun. Amit Gaur said he was quite impressed with the plan.

“This is not just an affordable place to live, but honestly, I feel like it’s a very desirable place to live, and even the neighbourhood will be proud of this project once it’s completed.”

The vote for the development permit was approved unanimously.

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Two common areas with seating are also provided, as well as informal play elements like logs, stepping stones and buildings, a tenant storage room, underground parking, and bike rack storage.

The project was reviewed by the Advisory Design panel in September, which made a number of recommendations on the building’s materials and overall appearance.

The developer made a few adjustments to building material based on those recommendations, including extending the building’s facade corners to the ground floor and including picket railings on the balcony decks.

PLHS plans to implement restrictive rules regarding storing items on tenants’ decks in response to concerns about unsightly conditions, according to the developer’s report.

Concerns around the building’s location in terms of distance from amenities and increased traffic were addressed by locals during public hearings last year.

Coun. Sylvia Martin said it’s a much-needed project and she knows it’ll be done well, based on her conversations with the PLHS.

“I’m excited about this project. I live in the neighbourhood and I get so many people that were, so many years ago, so against it, and now they’re all looking forward to seeing it….this has been going on for so many years. So I’m grateful that something, hopefully, will be happening pretty soon, because it’s obviously very needed.”

A future report to Council will be provided regarding the details of the housing agreement with the Province to see how many units qualify for reduced rent.

A landscaping cost estimate of around $228,000 was submitted by the applicant, incorporated into the development permit to ensure the completion of appropriate on-site landscaping. (City of Parksville)

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