Another 233 rental units are coming to Parksville, with construction planned to start in 2025.
Parksville council approved a development permit for three six-storey residential buildings at 1180 Resort Dr.
Primex Investments intends to develop the northwestern half of the six-acre property in 2025, with a possible future phase on the other half, according to Greg Mitchell, senior development manager and senior urban planner. The property is currently a gravel lot overgrown with invasive plants.
“We are excited to start construction here, hopefully next year," Mitchell said during council's July 15 meeting. “This is a great site and we’re excited to be working here in Parksville.”
The units will all be market rentals, according to Mitchell, with 151 one-bedrooms, 68 two-bedrooms and 14 three-bedrooms. Parking will be mainly underground, with some surface spaces for visitors and drop-off, he added.
“While people may not like the idea of tall buildings being built, that is part of what we need to do for people who cannot afford a $55,000 down payment," said Coun. Sean Wood. "And Parksville is doing their part in looking at projects like this”
There will be storage and charging provided for e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as amenities that include a pool and hot tub, party rooms, co-working rooms, outdoor seating, barbecue areas and a dog run. A new bus stop is also planned for nearby the development, according to Mitchell.
“Over the years there have been proposals for that property that then have come to nought, so I’m pleased to hear that your hope and plan is to in fact start working on this next year, assuming it goes ahead," said Coun. Mary Beil. “What we really need is non-market, to be honest. We need both, but we certainly need more non-market rental."
Mayor Doug O'Brien said he supported the project and clarified with Mitchell that the multi-use pathway along Highway 19A would be extended all the way to Arbutus Road, "which is certainly advantageous for our tourist traffic that are on there — unsafely at this time, so I’d be most appreciative of that.”
The vacant half of the property will be used to store materials for construction and for parking for trades people, according to Mitchell. He added that Primex hopes to one day build a grocery-anchored small retail outlet in that space.
“I will be supporting this project," O'Brien said. "I'm very excited to see it go through and very excited to see the last of the gorse on that property. It’s been a pain for at least 20 years for anybody that deals with it."
Coun. Amit Gaur expressed concern that the project indicated there would be a 10-metre tree buffer, rather than 20 metres, and asked for more information about the development variances granted for the project.
The variances are primarily related to setbacks for the underground parking, according to Blaine Russell, director of community planning and building.
“The variance isn’t specific to the tree buffer. They are proposing a 10 metre tree buffer on a site that has no trees and is primarily invasive species," Russell said.
A height relaxation was also approved since it works towards enhancing the energy efficiency sustainability objectives contained within the development permit area guidelines.
Council voted to grant the development permit, with Gaur opposed.
Mitchell estimated construction of the three buildings will take approximately 30 months.
