A decision by the Ministry of Environment could pave the way for new development in downtown Nanaimo’s Terminal trench.
According to a City of Nanaimo press release, the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has determined that properties along Terminal Avenue, from Comox Road to Esplanade, are excluded from regulations that assess groundwater quality during environmental site investigations. The decision simplifies the regulatory framework for individual property owners, which could cut costs and reduce timelines for development of any of nearly 150 properties in Nanaimo’s downtown core.
The decision follows work started in 2011 by a partnership involving the city, downtown property owners and Planning Design and Development Nanaimo, who worked to demonstrate why the area should receive special consideration. A study and application were provided to the environment ministry in 2016, with the study funded by private property owners working with PDDN, a brownfield grant, and a contribution from the city.
Terminal Avenue, from Comox Road to Esplanade, is a former tidal inlet that was filled with tailings from the city’s coal mines more than 100 years ago, noted the city press release.
“The industrial practices of the 19th century laid the very ground we walk on downtown, but in the 21st century the mine tailings that underlie the Terminal Avenue area have made it very difficult to revitalize the heart of our city,” said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog in the release. “The Ministry of Environment decision to exempt more than 145 properties from drinking water regulations opens the door to building the thriving and prosperous city centre so many of us, including council, have worked hard to achieve.”
The ministry’s latest determination acknowledges the area’s industrial history and unique subsurface and hydrological conditions, so that drinking water standards do not apply when assessing groundwater quality prior to a property being redeveloped.
“This project is a great example of how courageous and collaborative effort between the city, volunteers and stakeholders can accomplish meaningful change that would be almost impossible to achieve by any single party,” said Darren Moss, chairperson of PDDN, in the release. “Nanaimo is at a wonderful time in its growth … let’s actively work together to steer our city in a direction we want to live in.”
To learn more, visit the city news release online.
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chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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