Parksville city council approved a parking variance permit and a development permit for a mixed commercial and multi-unit residential development on Highway 19A.
Radcliffe Development Corporation of Parksville has proposed a five-storey building at 272 Island Hwy. W., on the corner of Lombardy Avenue. Its development permit application was submitted pending approval of a variance to reduce the project’s off-street parking spaces from 64 to 53 and removal of a requirement for an off-street loading space, recommended under the city’s Zoning and Development bylaw 1994.
The variance was approved by council at its June 19 meeting, allowing the concurrent development permit to also proceed.
The development would include 11 on-street parking spots and a streetside loading space, all on Lombardy Avenue.
The proponent previously submitted to council a professional parking demand analysis indicating the housing development would require only 48 parking spaces.
At its May 15 meeting council approved proceeding with a development notice, and property owners within 50 metres of the proposed development were notified of the variance request and invited to submit feedback.
“One correspondence was received and filed with council,” said community planning director Blaine Russell.
In addition, one member of the public spoke to council regarding parking concerns elsewhere along Lombardy Avenue and encouraged the city to address those issues.
The variance permit was approved unanimously. Radcliffe Development Corp. had not yet submitted its development permit application, but was expected to do so following approval of the parking variance.
Splash park contract awarded
Council approved a contract amount of $241,680 for the proposed new water park in Community Park to RECTEC Industries, Inc.
Earlier this spring, council approved a $300,000 replacement of the existing water park, which is aging and no longer complies with provincial requirements. That expense will be offset by a proposed $100,000 contribution from the Parksville Lions Club and Parksville Rotary Club.
The current splash park will remain open for the summer 2017 season, then be demolished.
“RECTEC will complete its design over the winter and spring, and construction will take place before the next summer season,” said Mike Squire, director of operations.
At the June 19 meeting, council also approved a development permit to facilitate shoreline restoration at 193 Island Hwy. E.;
• Authorized an increase of $82,806 to the Arbutus Point foreshore protection project, allowing up to $198,151 and pre-approving Copcan Contracting Ltd., Parksville Heavy Equipment and Stone Pacific Contracting Ltd. as pre-qualified companies invited to bid on the project; and
• Approved a $21,550 expenditure from its Gas Tax Reserve to complete professional services and installation of four electric vehicle charging stations at the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre.
