STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

Parking dominates concerns as City of Nanaimo forms Hospital Area Plan

Dec 8, 2017 | 2:37 PM

NANAIMO — Parking has emerged as the major challenge as the City creates a Hospital Area Plan (HAP) to guide growth in the central Nanaimo neighbourhood.

City staff hosted an open house Thursday to hear public opinions and outline options for improving parking, land use concepts and the area’s transportation network.

City planner Brian Zurek said a parking strategy will be created as part of the HAP process. He said meters and time restrictions for on-street parking surrounding the hospital are under consideration.

“Parking is something we’ve heard has become an issue, new residential developments bring with them more vehicles and a real change to the character in the area.”

An online survey of 500 people in August showed more than 290 people wanted parking improved in the hospital area.

Zurek said new sidewalks and bicycle pathways are also being discussed.

He said an expanded Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, additional supporting medical services and about 450 new residential units in the last 15 years have combined to stress local road infrastructure.

“It makes it more challenging for people who have lived here for a very long time and I totally understand that a lot of those concerns that residents have are completely valid.”

A longtime Thunderbird Dr. resident told NanaimoNewsNOW at the open house congestion from “many more vehicles” parked on streets surrounding the hospital is a big concern.

“I have a hard time some days getting in and out of my driveway…Our road is narrow to begin with and at times we pull a trailer out and if the cars are parked there you’re not going to get it turned out.”

A draft plan and follow-up open house on the HAP is scheduled for February.

The area being addressed is between Waddington, Townsite, Bowen and Meredith Roads.

Zurek expected a new survey would be posted on the City’s website shortly.

 

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes