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Revised Lantzville project features parkland, 814 houses in 3 neighbourhoods

Park space consolidated on larger section of land

Lantzville council has backed a new design for the Foothills development which now features three neighbourhood centres situated in a way that will allow a large chunk of parkland to be created.

Residential construction will be concentrated on the east side of the property, leaving the west side to be consolidated as a park.

In the earlier plan, some residential development would have taken place within the centre of what is to become the park, Frank Limshue, Lantzville’s director of planning and community service, told council July 27. “Effectively what this does is it reduces the amount of lands and footprint taken up by actual development and results, at the end of the day, in more contiguous park area for the district.”

The new plan renews the “vision of Foothills as a more sustainable project that aligns more closely with the current official community plan,” he said.

Council approved third reading for zoning changes and amendments to the official community plan to allow the new vision.

Lantzville is community of 3,600, bordering the northern edge of Nanaimo.

Foothills is a significant project by any standards.

Developer Lone Tree Properties is contributing 1,100 acres to be protected as parkland. (That’s more than Stanley Park’s approximately 1,000 acres.)

The undeveloped area is a popular destination among locals attracted to its diverse and dramatic landscape and ocean views. The district and developer anticipate the park will bring in more tourists.

Parkland includes forests, environmentally sensitive areas, sheer cliffs and wildlife. It will account for about 60 per cent of the Foothills site.

The developer said in a report that the new plan will conserve natural green spaces, reduce costs to put in infrastructure and servicing, and the planned clustered development would result in more compact and walkable neighbourhoods.

The revised plan includes up to 53,819 square feet (5,000 square metres) for commercial uses.

The number of homes allowed has increased to 814 from 730.

Foothills has been in the works for many years, initially with a different owner who ran into financial difficulties. The land was rezoned in 2007 to allow for a master planned residential community.

To date, about 100 single-family lots have been created.

A variety of housing types would go up, such as single-family, townhouses, duplexes and condominiums. All residential development would be connected to the community water and sewer system.

The project would require a phased development agreement. It would lock in provisions for infrastructure, services and amenities, Limshue said. A trail head parking area, drinking fountains, public washrooms and children’s play structures would be among amenities, along with an additional 183 acres of land for park above what had already been offered.

Downtown Lantzville will continue to be the commercial centre, but each neighbourhood centre will have a small number of shops and services.

The Village neighbourhood centre would have some commercial, modest tourism accommodation, and ground-oriented compact housing, Lone Tree said in a report to council.

The Quarry Service Centre would be aimed at serving as a low-traffic commercial district, supporting practical needs of residents, such as storage facilities, landscaping and garden nurseries.

The Heikkila Creek neighbourhood centre would offer compact housing and a mix of commercial outlets. It could be suited to community or recreational uses, such as a school, fire hall or rec centre.

A couple of years ago, the developer brought in Vancouver’s Modus Planning Design and Engagement to review the project.

Edward Porter, of Modus, said: “We immediately saw an opportunity for a real win-win in updating the plan.” This included consolidating parkland, allowing for diverse housing, emphasizing ground-oriented homes and including some low-rise condominiums.

Lantzville resident Brian Blood, who was on an earlier Official Community Pan steering committee looking at the Foothills site, called the revised proposal “pretty good.”

Coun. Will Geselbracht cautioned that parks are expensive. This one will need a survey, environmental assessment of plants and wildlife, trails, road maintenance, bylaw enforcement and fire protection and more.

These matters are going to require staff time and a lot money, he said.

“I can advise that if you are hoping for the Regional District of Nanaimo to jump on this and throw a tonne of money on it, it is not in their plans at this point.”

Despite concerns about park funding, Geselbracht supported the zoning and Official Community Plan changes, saying, “It is a very good project.”

Mayor Mark Swain also said the new plan is “looking good.” He predicted that recreational users will be drawn to the Village neighbourhood centre, which could have a pub, a bike shop or other commercial uses.

cjwilson@timescolonist.com

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