Your Weekly North Vancouver Island Construction News
In this Week’s Issue of Building Links
- Port Alberni: redevelopment of the Somass Lands waterfront property
- Courtenay: 41 unit residential building under construction
- Powell River: increasing secondary suites, address minimum dwelling sizes
Port Alberni: redevelopment of the Somass Lands waterfront property.
The City of Port Alberni is taking the next step in redevelopment of the Somass Lands, a 43 acre waterfront property where the somass division sawmill formerly operated.The City has successfully completed a Request for Expressions of Interest process launched in early September 2022. A total of 16 responses were received, indicating a significant and diverse interest from organizations desiring to occupy a portion of the redeveloped Somass Lands and from developers interested in leading the redevelopment in partnership with the City. A Request for Qualifications process will be launched shortly. Participation in the RFQ will be by invitation extended to developers that have demonstrated experience and capability. The qualified list of developers will be invited to engage with the City through a structured and detailed RFQ process. The RFQ may be followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP). The City will receive and review responses to the RFQ in 2023 to develop a short list of qualified potential development partners, before potentially undertaking a RFP process and final selection.
Courtenay: 41 unit residential building under construction.
A building permit has been issued in the amount of $8.5 million for the construction of a five-storey residential building. The development includes 41-units with underground parking and bike storage. The apartments will consist of a mixture of three studios, 28 one-bedrooms, and 10 two-bedroom units. This is the third and final phase of the Newport Village. Excavation and shoring are underway.
Powell River: increasing secondary suites, address minimum dwelling sizes.
The City of Powell River is recommending updates to the Zoning Bylaw to provide more flexibility regarding secondary suites, address minimum dwelling sizes, and reduce parking requirements for carriage houses. These are housekeeping amendments, because they do not propose changing uses or increasing residential density in any zone. The changes are the result of the Housing Implementation Plan, which recommended permitting secondary suites in duplexes, townhouses, and rowhouses. Staff are recommending that Council consider amending the Zoning Bylaw to eliminate the maximum size restrictions on secondary suites, to reduce minimum floor areas for single-detached dwellings and studio suites, and reduce parking requirements for carriage houses. Because allowing secondary suites in duplexes or townhomes/rowhomes would increase density, staff are recommending monitoring construction trends in Powell River and exploring this change at a later date. If council approves the recommendation, a public hearing will be scheduled.
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