More apartment buildings will be built at the very north end of the city.
Nanaimo city council, at a meeting Aug. 29, voted to issue a development permit for two apartment buildings totalling 149 units at 6985 Island Highway N., north of the Michaels art supply store.
The buildings represent the second phase of the North Grove development. The first phase has already been built and consists of 146 units in three buildings.
The two new five-storey buildings will include 89 one-bedroom apartments, 47 two-bedroom apartments and 13 studio suites.
“It’s well-thought-out, the building design and finish are a high quality and they’re complementary to Phase 1,” said Jeremy Holm, the city’s director of development approvals. “[It’s] a nice addition to rental housing in the community.”
The applicant requested two variances, one being a height variance from 14 metres to 17.7m, which Holm said will “allow more efficient use of the site.” He noted as well that the development falls within the Woodgrove secondary urban centre, “which would anticipate development of this density and possibly even taller buildings.”
The design advisory panel had made a handful of recommendations and the applicant “really responded,” said Coun. Tyler Brown. The revised design eliminated 12 surface parking stalls and added flared rooflines to create visual interest to the first buildings motorists will encounter as they enter city limits coming from Lantzville.
Council voted unanimously to issue the development permit.
READ ALSO: City reviews plans for 150 apartments on Nanaimo’s northern edge
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