Zoning

If passed, Bylaw No.580.131, 2021 would change the zoning of 190 and 194 First Avenue West to Commercial 10 (C10) and permit a development with 16 residential units above three ground floor commercial units.

Council heard concerns about traffic congestion, parking and noise from trucks unloading, during its Dec. 8 regular meeting.

The RDN said it will free up resources to review building and development applications and respond to more complex information requests.

Council discussed the issue after receiving a letter from the Parksville Downtown Business Association (PDBA) that expressed concerns about the change.

Qualicum Beach residents will have a chance to provide input on a temporary use permit application which, if approved, would allow three short-term rental units on the ground floor of 210 First Avenue West.

The public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 6 during council’s virtual regular meeting.

“Basically any public hearing that we are doing, the one comment that we always hear is ‘not in my back yard’ and ‘I really like this’, ‘the idea is great, ‘this is great for our town, but not in my backyard,’” Coun. Robert Filmer said.

The city said anyone who wishes to speak at the public hearing must register in advance by calling its corporate officer or deputy corporate officer, or email administration@parksville.ca. The hearing will be streamed live on July 19 at 3 p.m.

Many who attended expressed concerns about it being outside the town’s urban containment boundary and official community plan (OCP).