591 Bradley Street is getting new housing after a permit was approved by Council. (Google Street View)

By Chelsea Cavanagh

NEEDED HOUSING

‘The area could really use this kind of development:’ new rental building approved by Nanaimo Council

Mar 2, 2023 | 3:03 PM

NANAIMO — New rental housing is coming to a vacant lot overlooking the Millstone River near Bowen Park.

A development permit at 591 Bradley Street was approved by Council during a meeting on Monday, Feb. 27 for a five-storey building situated close to the street on the northernmost portion of the property.

Fifty-five units with underground parking would be made up of studio, one and two-bedroom units at market rent.

“In terms of it’s connectivity to our downtown and the need for housing, as a general rule I’m going to be supportive of going up in the city and not outside the city boundaries,” Mayor Leonard Krog said.

The development application was previously denied by Council in 2021.

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This time around, with several improvements centred around environmental protection implemented in the new application, Council was persuaded to see the benefit of the development.

Coun. Janice Perrino also expressed her approval, saying the area is prime for new housing.

“The area really could use this kind of development. It’s close to a school, there’s all sorts of reasons that make it really viable.”

While many members of Council were satisfied with the environmental acknowledgement of the updated plan, concern remained for some.

Paul Chapman, executive director of the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust, said the improvements are not enough.

“When you approve development in a riparian area, you degrade the natural commons and lower our ecological ceilings. This limits our options and effectiveness of achieving community resiliency in the face of climate change.”

Chapman added recreating the original value of riparian areas, which are areas relating to or situated on the banks of a river or stream, is nearly impossible because the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

The development will be subject to environmental protections including the removal of invasive species, retention of existing native species and ongoing maintenance.

Chapman reiterated his point by adding Council’s final decision on the development will be substantial in the long term.

“The decision you make this evening will have an impact for the next 50 to 80 years and beyond, and this decision is a climate change decision.”

The upper parking level will be accessed from Millstone Ave. to the west, and the lower parking level will be accessed from the adjacent strata property to the east on Bradley St.

All required vehicle and bicycle parking will be provided on-site and a refuse/recycling storage room is proposed on the upper parking level accessible only from Millstone Ave.

Consistent with most new development in the city, a new sidewalk will be constructed across the front of the property.

The portion of the existing trail between Millstone Avenue and Bowen Park crossing the proposed development will be kept for public access as a condition of the development permit.

Coun. Ben Geselbracht was the lone vote against the application near Nanaimo’s downtown core, citing environmental factors.

The projected development site is located in a area with a mix of single and multi-family homes.

A building permit is required for construction to begin.

The new five-story multi-family building will have 55 units. (City of Nanaimo)

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