In this week’s Building Links:
- Tofino: rezoning approved for 24 fee simple single-family lots and a 55-unit purpose-built market rental apartment building.
- Courtenay: rezoning approved for 122 single-family lots with secondary suites, and 208 duplex or multi-family units.
- Black Creek: potential water service upgrades for 128 residential properties and 2 commercial properties
Tofino: rezoning approved for 24 fee simple single-family lots and a 55-unit purpose-built market rental apartment building.
The District of Tofino has adopted a Zoning Amendment Bylaw, paving the way for a significant new residential development at 825 Campbell Street. The project, led by Woodsmere Holdings Corp., will create 24 fee simple single-family lots and a 55-unit purpose-built market rental apartment building. To support the development, the District has allocated 33.12 m³/day of water under the Limits to Growth Policy. Infrastructure upgrades and amenities will be delivered through a detailed development agreement, which requires: Extension of Ehlers Road to provide access to the apartment site. Dedication of new parkland in two phases, with a temporary recreation area secured by a $25,000 deposit until permanent parks are complete. Construction of a dedicated bus stop on Campbell Street. Inclusion of at least four three-bedroom units within the apartment building. Installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system in all buildings. The subdivision and works-and-services process will follow adoption , with developer-installed infrastructure (roads, utilities, drainage) to be incorporated into District asset management plans. Development Cost Charges (DCCs) will apply at subdivision and building permit stages, with potential reductions for the small-lot housing component.
Courtenay: rezoning approved for 122 single-family lots with secondary suites, and 208 duplex or multi-family units.
A rezoning application for the 41-acre Lannon Lake property within Crown Isle has received final adoption. The zoning has changed from Rural 8 (RU-8) to Comprehensive Development One J (CD-1J), and from Comprehensive Development One B (CD-1B) to CD-1J, allowing for a mixed-density residential area as part of the overall Crown Isle development. The approved zoning amendment permits a maximum of 330 residential units, supported by infrastructure analysis in the Preliminary Master Plans. The housing mix allows for 122 single-family lots (minimum 400 m², with secondary suites permitted) and 208 duplex or multi-family units. This development will add much-needed housing to the City’s inventory, aligning with the Housing Needs Assessment and provincial requirements for increased housing supply. The property is designated Urban Residential in the Official Community Plan. The owner will now turn their focus to preparing a subdivision application and addressing other related requirements, with the phasing of the project to be determined.
Black Creek: potential water service upgrades for 128 residential properties and 2 commercial properties
The Comox Valley Regional District will seek elector approval from Watutco water users to incorporate the privately held utility into the Black Creek – Oyster Bay Water Service. The system is not in compliance with Island Health’s Drinking Water Treatment Objectives. Watutco Enterprises submitted an initial request for assistance to the CVRD in 2015. Since then, the CVRD and property owners have been working through the legislative requirements for converting the service. The Watutco water services supplies water to 128 residential properties and the two commercial operations of Pacific Playgrounds and the Saratoga Beach Mobile Home Park. In addition to bringing the system into compliance, the conversion would improve reliability of the river infiltration gallery, increase license capacity, and increase water availability for the BCOB WLSA as a whole. The projected average cost per connection for a Watutco resident is $2,799 per year for the next 10 years, compared to between $3,675 – $5,332 per property for the next 10 years if Watutco remains a private system. After applying the already allocated $451,000 Community Works Funds, approximately $492,000 would need to be borrowed over a 10-year amortization period for the required system modifications, which include a pressure reducing valve in an above ground kiosk, plus water meters for each connection. If electors approve the conversion, design, procurement and construction of system modifications will occur in the Fall of 2026. After applying the already allocated $451,000 Community Works Funds, approximately $492,000 would need to be borrowed over a 10-year amortization period for the required system modifications, which include a pressure reducing valve in an above ground kiosk, plus water meters for each connection.
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