The pace of construction in Nanaimo is returning to normal after a slump during the pandemic. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

building

City developments on track to bounce back from pandemic slump

Sep 4, 2021 | 8:37 AM

NANAIMO — The pace of new residential and commercial builds throughout Nanaimo are slated to return to normal in 2021.

The value of construction underway in 2020 dipped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a drop which was more pronounced due to the record high number of developments approved in 2019.

Lainya Rowett, manager of current planning with the City, told councillors on Monday, Aug. 30 construction values are expected to reach nearly $320 million by the end of the year.

“We are above 2020, so on the rise and projecting just over 1,300 units for 2021.”

She touted the numerous apartment builds as a key way the City is infilling density and bringing in a substantial amount of construction.

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“There’s several key sites undergoing rezoning…signalling sustained future development in our city, in particular our urban centres and our corridors.”

The time required to approve development and building permits has sagged under the weight of so many applications.

Rowett’s presentation to councillors showed the time it takes to approve a development is two-to-three times longer than hoped for.

Rowett noted an error in the data, where the time it takes to approve a single family dwelling is five weeks instead of nine. (City of Nanaimo)

Dale Lindsay, general manager of development services, said a major burden on City staff is the size and complexity of developments.

“The remaining land we have to develop on requires consolidation, remediation or comes with constraints. All of the easy sites are gone, which results in a challenge not only for our applicants but extra work and complexity when staff are reviewing files.”

The City was recently awarded $500,000 to develop an online portal designed to make applications and approvals easier for staff and developers.

A more comprehensive adjustment in the City’s building departments, including new working groups and new staff positions, are also in progress.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt