In This Week’s Editor’s Note:
- Denman Island: Borrowing petition process for the Graham Lake Water Treatment project
- Courtenay: Proposed 137-unit mixed-use building
- 19 Wing Comox: Proposed $19 million, three-storey accommodation building
Denman Island: Borrowing petition process for the Graham Lake Water Treatment project
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is proceeding with a petition process to secure electoral assent for the borrowing required for delivery of the Graham Lake Water Treatment Project. During community engagement activities in April, most residents opposed including fire infrastructure upgrades in the project. If the petition is unsuccessful, the regional district could pursue a referendum during the fall election, but this would likely delay the project, increase construction costs, risk losing grant funding, and potentially result in higher costs for residents. Losing the grant and delaying the project could increase annual costs by about $1,400 per connection rather than the previously stated $885. Island Health will still require the upgrades regardless of funding outcomes. Should the electoral assent process be successful, the design of the treatment upgrade could occur mid to late 2026 with tendering and permitting late 2026 to early 2027. Construction of the treatment upgrade would then proceed between early 2027 to early 2028. The project cost in 2023 with construction and indirect costs was estimated at $4.2 million.
Courtenay: Proposed 137-unit mixed-use building
Council has given first, second and third reading to a Housing Agreement for 2270 Cliffe Avenue. Council also amended a Zoning amendment bylaw and gave third reading. As proposed, the applicant intends to build a six-storey mixed-use building with commercial gspace at ground level and 137 residential units above. The project includes one level of underground parking, approximately 11 commercial units, and a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The housing agreement secures 14 studio and one-bedroom units at rents approximately 30% below market for 10 years. Staff noted the agreement does not fully meet affordability targets. The project was originally proposed under the old zoning bylaw but is now being considered under the new zoning bylaw with only minor technical amendments. The new OCP no longer specifies those same targets. Reasons staff gave for supporting the proposal include economic conditions for development have worsened, and staff supported the proposal after exploring options for improving affordability. The developer has noted the design intentionally includes larger family-sized units rather than micro-suites and that affordable units are concentrated in smaller studios and one-bedroom units because they are intended for single-income renters and align with financing requirements from CMHC. CMHC financing rules require at least 10% affordable units for a 10-year affordability term in order to qualify for mortgage insurance and financing support. Additional conditions before final adoption include executing the housing agreement, frontage improvement covenants, a bus shelter agreement, and provincial approval.
19 Wing Comox: Proposed $19 million, three-storey accommodation building
Defence Construction Canada invites general contractors to express their interest in providing all labour, materials, and equipment necessary to build a three-story accommodations building at 19 Wing Comox. This Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) is the first step of a two-step solicitation process, the second step being the Tender Phase. The Rough Order Magnitude estimate for this Contract is $19 Million. DCC will proceed with the Tender Phase around June 2026. The works shall reach substantial completion no later than 660 calendar days following the notification of contract award and shall be completed no later than 28 calendar days after the substantial completion date. Only the general contractors who will have responded to this RFEOI will be invited to submit a bid during the Tender Phase. This opportunity closes June 9.
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