One of the largest single developments Ucluelet has ever seen is in its infancy.
Ucluelet resident Chris Bozman introduced the concept of a 212-unit neighbourhood on the 24.8-acre property at 221 Minato Bay during the April 26 regular council meeting.
“I’ve worked in the development space, I’ve worked in affordable housing for quite a while, I also own a construction company. We kind of took a risk and were able to pull off getting the property with some additional investment. Then we hired an architect and here is where we’re at,” said Bozman.
“It’s a lot of houses, but it is a lot of rental homes and it’s a lot of stuff that we really believe,” he said.
The 221 Minato Road property was rezoned for Campground and Guest House uses in 2020. With Minato Bay, Bozman and his partners are proposing to amend the zoning to permit a mix of housing on the site, including 70 rental housing units in the first phase.
“There’s not a lot of stuff (in Ucluelet) that’s easier to get into be it a rental level or an ownership level unless you want to buy a single family house. I think ultimately everybody wants that, I think very few people can start there anymore,” said Bozman.
Minato Bay would be constructed in phases or throughout a “10 year horizon” as Bozman says. The total housing proposal includes: 98 rental units, 27 attainable family homes, 40 apartments, 47 larger larger family waterfront homes with nightly rentals, and one common amenity space.
“This isn’t going to happen overnight. Phase One is a significant investment in rental housing and that’s where we want to start and that’s really where we wanted to go quickly,” Bozman said, noting that they are looking into establishing a partnership with BC Housing.
“We just think it’s really important piece to the community. As part of the proposal, we are more than happy to provide at least 10 per cent of the housing units as dedicated affordable as per BC Housing guidelines,” he said.
There will be an open house from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18 at the Ucluelet Community Centre to introduce the community to the Minato Bay concept. Anyone interested in learning more can visit the website: https://minatobay.com/.
nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
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