Residential units could be in the works for Parksville’s Wembley Mall.
A developer has proposed a five-storey building with 68 residential units, along with 15,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.
“Our rationale is that it could create a more walkable community,” said Leo Mariotto of ICR Projects Inc. during his presentation to council in July. “It would also increase and help the current commercial uses (of Wembley Mall).”
The proposal and drawings are at a very early stage and there will be opportunities for public engagement. It received a mixed reaction from the council members.
Coun. Amit Gaur asked if medium density, such as duplexes or town homes were considered.
“Because what I’m hearing from the public is Parksville is seeing condos everywhere. Four storey, five storey, with commercial at the bottom,” he said. “I was hoping to see some diversity of housing.”
Reduced density would mean the cost per unit increases, Mariotto said.
The development will require an official community plan (OCP) amendment because of a provision meant to encourage downtown revitalization and give it a “head start” in terms of multi-family developments, according to Blaine Russell, the city’s director of planning and building.
With numerous projects of this type completed or underway in the downtown core, city staff feels that goal has been met, Russell added.
He said the OCP amendment will still support the plan’s overall objective for that area of mixed-use, but predominantly commercial.
READ MORE: Permit granted for 4-storey mixed use Parksville development
Mariotto’s presentation mentioned the residential component will include 36 one-bedroom-plus-den units, eight two-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom-plus-den units. He added that an ICR project in Kelowna demonstrated one bedroom plus den units were popular with families.
“I can’t say I’m in full agreement that a one bedroom and a den would support any family,” said Coun. Adam Fras. “If that is the case going on in other communities, I think it would kind of be out of necessity, and desperation.”
Fras also pointed out council will be doing an OCP review later this year and it would be better to wait until that time to further alter the plan.
The proposal includes 83 underground parking stalls, mostly for the residential units, along with 52 surface spots for commercial use and visitors.
The presentation cited a traffic study that found traffic generated by the development can be acceptably accommodated by the existing road network. The developer plans to build a sidewalk along the property’s frontage on the highway. Eight electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking are planned.
Council voted to advance a recommendation including an opportunity for consultation with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Agricultural Land Commission and School District 69. It also voted to have the proponent provide an opportunity for public engagement through an open house.
Sign up for our free Newsletter and follow us on Twitter.
