STORY BY TROY LANDREVILLE
COMOX, B.C- A proposed apartment building on Balmoral Avenue in Comox took a giant step towards construction on June 20.
At their regular meeting, Town of Comox council paved the way for a five-storey, 45-unit apartment building with underground parking.
“The rezoning has been approved, and the development permit has been issued subject to various conditions, which they’re working their way through the meat,” Comox Mayor Paul Ives said.
“I would anticipate in the near future they’ll get their final development permit issued and then carry on to construction.”
Ives believes construction will begin later this year. “I don’t see an exact time frame for them but it seems they’re anxious to proceed.”
Ives said the condo building across from Comox Mall is “really in keeping with our downtown revitalization program, encouraging more residential development in our core to support businesses and more of a walkable lifestyle.”
This was one of three developments approved by Comox council at the June 20 meeting.
Council approved rezoning for a four-storey, 84 unit commercial-residential building on Anderton Road which will provide rental housing, as well as rezoning to facilitate a 16-lot subdivision for single families on Lazo Road.
“If you take all those together, that provides different housing options,” Ives said. “It’s very consistent with our community plan where we encourage multiple-family housing, (and) we encourage single family housing, and options for rentals, as well.
“That rental project will be the first purpose-built rental that we’ve seen probably in over 20 years.”
Ives said there has been “pent-up demand” for housing in Comox with military personnel coming and going into the town.
“As the base grows, as more employment opportunities present themselves in other areas… the hospital, the school district and the college are all big employment generators, that does provide more jobs and more opportunities for people to live, work, and play here.”
