More multi-family housing is coming to the Metral Drive area.
Nanaimo city council, at its meeting Monday, July 8, approved an application from Tony Harris Developments Inc. on behalf of Bozd (Land Development) Nominee Ltd. to re-zone a property at 5360 Bergen-Op-Zoom Dr. from single-dwelling residential to medium-density residential.
The developer is proposing two five-storey buildings offering a total of 168 units on the site, located between the old Island Highway and the end of Bergen-Op-Zoom Drive that connects to Metral Drive and Arnhem Terrace.
The property currently contains a single residence and several accessory buildings and features mature trees and a watercourse though the northeast portion of the site, according to city documents, and is surrounded by established single-family residences, multi-family and commercial developments and local parks that include Dublin Park to the south and Amsterdam Park to the north.
"The proposal is adding much-needed housing in the area. It's close to great active transportation infrastructure and services and very much in line with the official community plan policy for the property," said Jeremy Holm, city director of planning and development.
Because of new provincial laws, no public hearing can be held for the re-zoning as the proposed development is 100-per cent residential.
The developer has offered an in-kind community amenity contribution that includes a publicly accessible trail with lighting connecting Bergen-Op-Zoom Drive with Dublin Way, a future pathway connection to Amsterdam Park, and upgrades to Bergen-Op-Zoom Drive pedestrian and cycling amenities and pedestrian connections.
There was no discussion on the re-zoning proposal by council, which unanimously approved the re-zoning.
