The southern area of Duncan near the Silver Bridge could look a lot different in the near future if a number of new residential/commercial developments, which would add almost 500 new housing units in the city, are given the green light to proceed.
The projects are currently under review by the City of Duncan
One of them proposes to build two six-storey multi-unit residential buildings and a four-storey hotel with some commercial components at 140 Trans-Canada Hwy., across the highway from Cowichan Way.
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The project would provide almost 200 new mostly one and two-bedroom housing units and an 88-room hotel in the city over the proposed two-phase development.
To proceed, the project would require rezoning from commercial to high-density residential for the property, and an amendment to Duncan’s official community plan.
A second project proposes building two six-storey residential buildings which would contain more than 200 housing units, at 140, 150, 160, 161 and 171 Price Place, which is located one block south of Trunk Road, east of the TCH.
The project would see a combination of 270 square-foot micro living units, 216 sq. ft. studio units and 675 sq. ft. one-bedroom-plus-den units.
To proceed, the development would need to have the properties rezoned from medium-density residential to high-density residential, and an amendment to the OCP
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The third proposed project is a six-storey mixed-use building with 95 housing units that is proposed for 553, 561 and 573 Dobson Rd., which is also located south of Trunk Road close to the TCH.
The proposal calls for 60 one-bedroom units, 30 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom units on the top five storeys, and retail outlets on the ground floor.
If the city chooses to allow the project to proceed, it would require the properties be rezoned from highway-corridor commercial to a new zone, but no amendments to the OCP.
The three development proposals, and others in Duncan, can be viewed at the city’s Small Town, Big Conversations website, which can be found at duncan.ca/public-engagement-join-the-conversation/.
The proposed projects are just three of many that are currently proposed in the city, or are under construction.
Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples said that while the municipality is the smallest city in Canada, it is the heart of a region with a strong and vibrant business community and a beautiful downtown core.
“Densifying specific areas throughout the city will increase foot traffic, helping our small businesses thrive now and into the future,” she said.
“More people out walking, accessing businesses and services means increased social activities, which builds relationships and improves community safety.”
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Other residential building projects in the City of Duncan include the construction of a six-storey, multi-unit, rental residential development that is nearing completion on Garden Street, a large mixed residential and commercial building on Canada Avenue, and two five-storey residential buildings that will contain 91 units at 365 Ypres St. that was issued a development permit last spring.
A five-storey, 54-unit assisted-living project for those 55 and older at 257 Evans St. was also just recently issued a development permit, a four to six-storey, 199-unit rental complex that will be constructed on reserve land owned by Cowichan Tribes at 222 Cowichan Way has been recently announced, and work on the 48-unit supportive housing project on White Road is expected to begin again soon after BC Housing recently hired a new contractor for the project.