Rosanna Duffy, Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty - Your Local Real Estate Contact

01/22/2024

Rebates available for RDN residents planning environmentally friendly upgrades!

“Regional District of Nanaimo incentivizes rainwater harvesting, fuel pumps, EV chargers and more
Nanaimo News Staff

A total of $243,000 in rebates are up for grabs for Regional District of Nanaimo residents looking to make environmentally conscious home improvements.

According to a press release from the RDN, rebates of up to $675 will be available for irrigation upgrades and soil improvement, up to $1,000 for rainwater harvesting, up to $700 for upgrades to septic systems and up to $650 for wellhead upgrades. Up to $300 is available for well water testing, and applications open March 1.

Up to $1,500 will be available for those looking to exchange “uncertified” woodstoves for electric heat pumps, but only for RDN residents not residing within the City of Nanaimo, which as its own program.

For RDN residents residing in electoral areas, rebates of $500 and $1,000 are available to those who score high in the sustainable development checklist. The checklist aims to assist homeowners and builders develop high-performance building projects, said the RDN.

Rural area residents are also eligible for a return of up to $350 for home energy assessments; up to $250 for graded site-cut timber use; $1,000 to replace fossil-fuel heating sources with heat pumps; up to $650 for renewable energy systems and up to $150 for residential electric vehicle charging stations.

Certain criteria must be met, stated the press release, and it is recommended that people wishing to apply review all information prior to submitting an application. More information is available at www.rdn.bc.ca/rdn-rebates.”

Rebates The RDN offers various rebates and incentives to Electoral Area residents, and you may be eligible for funding to help make your property more environmentally friendly. Click on the program name below to learn more including the current status, value, requirements and process. Rebates and in...

01/22/2024

More redevelopment happening for Downtown Nanaimo!

“City council approves sale of two downtown Nanaimo properties for $1.6 million
Camargue Properties to buy two parcels on Franklyn Street for mixed-use project
Chris Bush

A preliminary concept drawing depicts the basic concept behind a proposed 56-unit mixed use project for two city-owned Franklyn Street properties being sold to a developer. (ACE Architecture image)
The sale of two city-owned properties will help fill a hole in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter.

At a meeting Monday, Jan. 15, Bill Corsan, the city’s director of corporate and business development, presented a report regarding the sale of 350 and 398 Franklyn streets to Camargue Properties Inc./ Le Groupe Denux, which intends to build a multi-family residential complex with commercial space on 0.17 hectares that currently serve as parking lots.

The price for the land, which faces Franklyn, Wesley and Robson streets, is $1.6 million and the offer from Camargue followed an expression of interest put out by the city last summer. Submitted proposals were presented to council at an in-camera meeting in October.

Corsan said Carmargue’s project aligns with other downtown projects, such as Commercial Street revitalization and the Terminal Avenue transit exchange.

“One of council’s priorities is to see the redevelopment of key sites in the downtown core and, with that, bringing new investment and more residents living in the downtown core,” Corsan said.

The developer proposes ground-floor retail units on Wesley Street in addition to the residential component. A percentage of the residential units, depending on Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation criteria and negotiations with the city, will be adaptable and accessible and at least 10 per cent will be affordable units.

Camargue has also asked to be included in the downtown revitalization tax exemption program. One of its conditions to the purchase is that the city approves a development permit and housing agreement by Aug. 30 to allow the company time to arrange financing by Nov. 29.

The property is expected to transfer ownership by Dec. 19, but the city also has an option-to-purchase agreement in place that allows it to buy back the property if the bulk of development isn’t achieved within two years of the transfer of title.

Bryan Gartner, senior project architect with ACE Architecture, said in his presentation to council that he grew up in Nanaimo so developing the property is exciting for him.

“It’s just up the street from A&B Sound where I waited in line for the latest Walkman or Discman that came out at the time,” he said.

Gartner said the build concept and the layout aligns with the downtown development plan of four or five storeys. He said the project will include about 28 two-bedroom suites, 20 one-bedroom units and eight micro-units, which approximately equals the permitted density.

Parking, located under the complex, will include a mix of 43 standard- and small-size vehicle stalls.

Some of the development’s energy needs will be supplied by large solar panel arrays on the roofs of the complex, which will be essentially two buildings with the upper floors connected by a “terrace/amenity space” and green space around and between the buildings at ground level. The amenities spaces, Gartner said, could include a work space, yoga studio, gym and even a children’s playroom.

Council voted unanimously to approve the sale of 350 and 398 Franklyn streets for $1.6 million.

At the same meeting, city council also approved, with councillors Tyler Brown and Ben Geselbracht opposed, a tax exemption for a development at 420 Albert St. where the developer, 420 Albert Holdings, has bought an existing office building and plans to convert it into 23 residential rental micro units. The term of the tax exemption is from 2024 to the end of 2033.

“The tax exemption on this project would be the difference between its current value as an office building and the change in value to go into the 23 micro units,” Corsan said.”

11/10/2021

How Low Can It Go?

Just released statistics from BCREA shows RECORD low listing inventory across BC. For detailed information and recent press release:https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021-10.pdf

Selling your home in this market requires a well thought out plan. Would love to chat if you are thinking about this now, or for the future. Let's develop a strategy together.

04/22/2021

Na Chase River House for sale: Welcome to this lovingly maintained 2450 sqft. home in desirable Chase River that provides room for everyone. Spacious living/dining room is well appointed with hardwood floors, wood burning fireplace, large patio do...

02/13/2021

Na North Nanaimo House for sale: Hammond Bay home with legal suite. With nearly 2500 sqft of living space, there is room for everyone. The main home enjoys an open living plan including newer kitchen, stainless appliances, bright large windows, & ...

02/04/2021

3229 HAMMOND BAY Rd, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9T1E4