Your Weekly North Vancouver Island Construction News
In this Week’s Issue of Building Links
- Tofino: Proposed development for 17 modular units with 85 beds for local staff housing.
- Courtenay: Building Permits issued for NIC’s 217 bed student housing project.
- Campbell River: Presales for the first 26 lots at Ripple Rock Estates.
Tofino: Proposed development for 17 modular units with 85 beds for local staff housing.
The District of Tofino has received an application to amend the zoning of this 1.75 acre property at 1141 Pacific Rim Highway to facilitate a purpose-built staff housing development consisting of 17 modular units, totaling 85 beds. This proposal is a revision of a previous concept from 2022 which included 21 units with local staff housing, commercial and tourist components. Council deferred that application recommending changes to include more staff housing. The concept now focusses solely on the provision of staff housing for local residents, with tourist and commercial components removed. To facilitate the proposed development, the property must be rezoned from the current Small Holdings District zone to a new comprehensive development zone. Currently, the property is operating as a “long-term staff campground” under a Temporary Use Permit that expires on April 30, 2025. This TUP use has been ongoing since 2015. A previous zoning amendment, from 2020, attempted to add the long-term camping use permanently to the property but was unsuccessful. Property ownership has since changed, and the new owner has put forward the current rezoning proposal. A public hearing will be scheduled in order to proceed with rezoning.
Courtenay: Building Permits issued for NIC’s 217 bed student housing project.
Two building permits with a combined value of $59,413,000 have been issued for the North Island College 217 bed student housing project. Building One has a 7055 m2 building with 157 beds and permit for $41,679,545. Building Two has a 3002 m2 building area with 60 beds and permit for $17,733,455. In June, the City approved a development variance that increased the maximum height from 12.0m to 16.6m for an architectural roof design features to increase ceiling height for meeting spaces. NIC has secured the majority of funding for the project, including $57.3 million in funding under the Homes for BC Plan in 2022 and a $6.6 million loan from the BC Student Housing Loan Program. An additional $11.4 million was announced in June. The estimated cost for this project is $77.4 million with completion expected by September 2025.
Campbell River: Presales for the first 26 lots at Ripple Rock Estates.
Presales are now underway for Phase 1 of Ripple Rock Estates. Phase 1 includes 26 lots starting at $525,000 for view lots and $925,000 for waterfront lots. The waterfront lots range in side from 1217 m2 to 2451 m2, while view lots range from 916 m2 to 1310 m2. When complete, the multi phased project is proposed to include 188 lots with a 5 acre resort and oceanfront restaurant. All lots will be serviced with on-site wastewater and water treatment facilities and plans are in motion to bring natural gas to the development. For more details visit www.ripplerockestates.com.
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