Redevelopment of the old Madill site will continue as planned as Nanaimo city council, following a public hearing, advanced a zoning amendment bylaw.
The hearing, held Thursday at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, related to re-zoning another lot at the location for automotive sales and service.
The project, to be called Madill City Centre, borders Kenworth Road, Labieux Road and the old Island Highway. Plans show Labieux connecting to Kenworth and meeting at a roundabout.
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Patrick Brandreth, business development manager for Island West Coast Developments, said two other lots on the Madill City Centre site “already are spoken for by new automotive dealerships.”
“We feel that this is the best fit and the best use for this particular lot, given our close proximity to Bowen Road, obviously that’s a major automotive hub,” he said.
Other plans for the property, he said, include office space, mixed use and a seniors’ care facility.
Two members of the public registered opposition to the re-zoning, both expressing concern about increased traffic on Kenworth.
City staff advised that a traffic impact assessment suggested the proposed width of the new portion of Kenworth would acceptably handle the traffic volume.
Following the public hearing, city council unanimously allowed the zoning amendment bylaw to pass third reading.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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