Parksville council is looking at a zoning and development bylaw amendment application that would allow for an assisted living facility for people living with brain injuries.
Preliminary drawings for the proposed development, at 365 Moilliet St., show two buildings, including a two-storey resident building which will contain 28 bedrooms, according to a report by Blaine Russell, director of planning and building.
The second building, described as a "coach house", will house support staff offices and amenity spaces for the residents. The amenities include a library, recreation room, gym and bike room.
If approved, the facility will be run by Connect Communities.
“I will be supporting this application mainly for the fact of what it’s actually consisting of — the Connect organization," said Mayor Doug O'Brien. "They did a presentation to ourselves, our CAO anyways, and described, for brain injury victims anyway, that rehabilitation is long and enduring and it requires very special care."
Connect chose the location specifically because it is close to Springwood Park and the wetlands area, which are beneficial to people being rehabilitated after a stroke or a brain injury, O'Brien added. The location is also within walking distance of a grocery store and a pharmacy.
The development will benefit Parksville because it facilitates recovery of people affected by significant brain injuries in a more holistic, home-centric model, according to the applicant. The site will be designed as barrier-free and fully accessible to people of varying abilities.
The application by Lintott Architects Inc., on behalf of the owners Ivanhoe Ventures Ltd, requests a site-specific setback provision because of the narrowness of the land parcel, according to Russell's report. The applicant has proposed a reduction in allowable parcel coverage from 50 per cent down to 40 per cent in return.
The residential building is also proposed to include a administration office, laundry and storage space.
The property is located within the City of Parksville's Transitional Residential designation, intended to work as a medium density area.
A public open house was in March in the Quality Foods event space across the street from the property. According to the applicant, two members of the public attended and two brief positive written comments were received.
Council voted unanimously for the recommendations, including receiving community feedback for information.
The proposed zoning and development bylaw will be considered for first, second and third reading at council's Sept. 4 meeting.
