A 200-unit apartment complex in Chase River can proceed with building plans after receiving a development permit this week.
Nanaimo city council, at a meeting Monday, voted unanimously to issue a permit to WestUrban Developments for a 213-unit residential project on Junction Avenue at Tenth Street and Lawlor Road. The property was re-zoned for mixed-use corridor development in 2019.
The complex will include three four-storey buildings, each with 71 apartments. The 213 total apartments will include 118 one-bedroom units, 71 two-bedroom units and 24 three-bedroom units.
“We’re excited to move forward with the application,” said Sara Alexander, director of development with WestUrban. “It’s been a bit of a long time waiting. We’ve worked hard with the staff to move forward.”
The development permit application sought one variance related to the watercourse setback along Wexford Creek. Jeremy Holm, the city’s director of development approvals, described it as an “interim variance” as the municipality has begun design work on a project to realign, restore and “daylight” a portion of Wexford Creek. A staff report noted that the creek enters a culvert under Lawlor Road, and the realignment project “will create a functional riparian area” farther from the Junction Avenue apartment buildings.
“The development will not negatively impact the riparian habitat that will be retained, enhanced and expanded through the realignment and restoration of Wexford Creed,” the staff report concluded.
Coun. Don Bonner asked about a bus stop location close to the complex and Holm said that will be determined later, during the building permit process, in keeping with engineering standards and in consultation with RDN Transit.
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