City reviewing plans for huge Sandstone project in south Nanaimo
A plan to build 3,000 homes and new commercial and industrial districts has the potential to change south Nanaimo.
A new master plan for the Sandstone development in the Chase River-Cinnabar Valley-Cedar area is being reviewed by the City of Nanaimo and is also in the midst of a public engagement phase.
The new master plan for Sandstone resembles one created more than 10 years ago, with residential neighbourhoods in Cinnabar Valley and Cedar, a higher-density town centre between the Trans-Canada Highway and Cedar Road, and an employment and business precinct close to the Duke Point Highway.
Seacliff Properties bought the Sandstone lands, totalling 294 hectares, in 2018.
“We see incredible employment and investment opportunities within Nanaimo’s south end…” said Ian Porter, director of real estate with Seacliff, in an e-mail. “When we finish this development, we hope that Chase River will not just be where people leave in the morning and come home to in the evening, but a place where people [who] choose to live in the south end will have the ability to work, live, shop and recreate within a more compact and well-connected area.”
Jeremy Holm, the City of Nanaimo’s director of development approvals, said the municipal processes underway are for a master plan amendment and rezoning. He said the plans are being reviewed by city departments and have also been referred to various outside agencies and stakeholders.
At the same time, Sandstone’s prospective neighbours are being asked for their feedback. Seacliff Properties is holding a virtual open house on the master plan, and before that, held other meetings and information sessions.
Mike Parker, chairperson for the Chase River Community Association, said the developer has been up-front with residents and has listened to concerns. He said the area needs more development.
“People are tired of driving 20 minutes or half an hour, depending on the time of day, to the north end, so I think most people have made it pretty clear they’re excited…” he said. “Of course, we don’t know what stores are actually going to come with the Sandstone project, but that’s the only way we’re going to get those other stores.”
Sandstone’s master plan estimates property tax revenues would reach $17.6 million annually by full build-out and development cost charges would be $2.7 million a year for 20 years. Sandstone projects 1,200 jobs per year during the construction phase and 5,500 on-site jobs at full build-out.
https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news...south-nanaimo/
https://sandstonenanaimo.ca/
http://seacliffgroup.com/properties/sandstone/
https://www.nanaimo.ca/WhatsBuilding...020-APR-07.pdf