Plan to increase housing density in south Parksville denied by council

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Currently an empty, treed area, 1000 Island Hwy. E. in south Parksville is on the north end of Resort Dr. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Plan to increase housing density in south Parksville denied by council

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The developer wanted the current neighbourhood plan, which allows a maximum residential density of 25 dwelling units per hectare, to be increased to 125 units per hectare.

In its current plan, the residential units would be a mix of 17 studio, 55 one-bedroom, 41 two-bedroom, and six three-bedroom units, with approximately 1,485 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

The developer also said they would sign a rental covenant with BC Housing.

“Our community has seen quite a few apartment buildings built of late, and I’m not saying that that hasn’t satisfied a need and I don’t know if it completely satisfies it,” said Beil. “I don’t know how full they are. I appreciate that you (developer) seem to be going after a slightly-lower costs, which is really admirable, but what we also see is a real need for residences that appeal to families.”

Prospective developers have had barriers injecting more density in Parksville.

Council recently requested a proposed four-storey apartment building at Mills. St. be lowered, while a similar development with 200 rental units and ground-floor commercial space already under construction on Resort Dr. cleared a public hearing in January.

In the end, mayor Doug O’Brien and coun. Adam Fras voted against denying the application, preferring the project undergo rounds of public hearings, as well as consulting with the RDN, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and other related parties to find a design which works for everyone.

Councillors Beil, Amit Gaur, and Sean Wood all rejected the application.

1000 Island Hwy. E. is located west of Industrial Way., and east of Greig Rd., and is within close proximity to existing public transit. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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