A concept calls for densifying a single-family lot just outside downtown Nanaimo, which requires rezoning. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

concerns voiced

Nanaimo Council wants more info before entertaining Third Street development

Nov 6, 2024 | 5:45 AM

NANAIMO — Conceptual infill plans for a large single-family lot just beyond Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter neighbourhood doesn’t have the blessing of local governors just yet.

Instead of advancing the vision, a rezoning application for 335 Third St. located between Howard and Bruce avenues was unanimously referred by councillors to staff for an access assessment to be completed.

Half a dozen area residents presented concerns, most regarding traffic congestion and safety, regarding the proposed 56 multi-family units in a pair of four to six-storey buildings.

“This is not safe for our families to walk in this neighbourhood as it currently stands and the proposal is for 56 more units and 92 more cars,” longtime area resident Julia Sheffield told the Monday, Nov. 4 council meeting.

Proposed development site for an envisioned multi-family development on Third St. near the Bruce Ave. intersection. (City of Nanaimo)

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As it stands now, access to and from the development would be where Wharton St. and Georgia Ave. meet at a sharp bend at the southwestern edge of the proposed site.

Originally, the developer requested access to and from the site via Third St., however an agent on behalf of the property owners told the Monday night meeting that the idea was considered not viable by City staff.

Citing the challenging nature of the Third St./Howard Rd. intersection, local resident Christine Johnson told the meeting that if this plan became reality, existing difficulties would only get worse.

“As we know there’s considerable challenges in terms of blind spots on the hill and the traffic is just really going to back up onto Third anyways because Howard and Third as we mentioned before is a pretty tough intersection.”

Conceptual plans call for a mix of housing types, with about half being two-bedroom units, while studio, one and three-bedroom offerings are also planned.

Citing the limited scale of the project, surrounding road network and capacity to handle development, the City’s director of planning and development Jeremy Holm said they didn’t require a traffic impact assessment.

Estimating the section of Third St. sees around 12,000 vehicles daily, Holm said having access via the busy road to the development would cause interference along the busy corridor.

His comments were echoed by the City’s manager of transportation Jamie Rose who strongly recommended site access via the bend at Wharton St. and Georgia Ave. become the access point.

Rose said the access point as proposed now spreads traffic to other roads and would thus reduce congestion and conflicts on Third St.

“If the ‘right-in right-off’ is the preferred path it is an option, it just has some potential things that just need to be considered,” Rose said.

While council expressed a lot of excitement regarding the prospect of providing more housing in a strategically key area, coun. Erin Hemmens wanted more information.

Her call for an access assessment to be presented by City staff was strongly endorsed.

“But the traffic, I think we’re kind of hung up on that, and so I think we would benefit from a deeper investigation and maybe some options on how we could alleviate that,” Hemmens said.

The housing proposal aligns with the City’s vision of residential densification near commercial areas, employment centres, schools and recreation.

Under new provincial legislation aimed at accelerating housing construction, the Third St. rezoning is barred from going to public hearing.

If approved, roadway improvements and a trail connection through the development would be among the conditions of rezoning.

Proposed rendering of a planned development at 335 Third St., which is planned to include surface and underbuilding parking. (City of Nanaimo)

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes