Not to mention that these are the very types of neighbourhoods that Canadian always go to visit. Florence & Mexico City as just a few examples.

Nanaimo is seeing a similar result with many builders constructing two Duplexes on one lot or using side facing lots for adding an additional housing. Also a few more carriage homes after reforms were passed.

Big News for Nanaimo Housing!

The Missing Middle has officially arrived! 🎉

BC’s new upzoning rules mean most lots can now have 3–4 homes instead of just one. Nanaimo stepped up by expanding the R-5 zone across much of the city… and surprise, surprise — more homes are being built! 🏘️🏗️

In Nanaimo, we’re seeing a lot of two duplexes stratified on one lot since the SSMUH reforms

Here are some of the drawings of the project (1.9 FAR)

@cityofnanaimo.bsky.social is looking at doing something similar with its new design guidelines.

Maybe Victoria will be more friendly than Vancouver to this idea? Their draft OCP seems to be aiming for many of the same outcomes.

A great piece, but I feel conversation around the potential of European style point access blocs seems to be missing. In the plan, when discussing cross ventilation, they draw a diagram of a SES and then state single loaded corridors can help cross ventilation… Will Victoria consider allowing BCSES?

Coming back from Mexico, I’m again stunned at the small lot single-stair infill possible there. These small developments add texture and incremental intensity and diversity as opposed to massive developments absorbing whole blocks. (These photos are from Puerto Vallarta).

Oak Bay “doing its part” to solve the housing problem.

There are also multiple downtown projects currently in the works that are adding 100s of new residents.

Couldn’t agree more! Nanaimo’s Council voted 8-1 to begin the planning process for removing parking mandates from the Downtown Urban Centre! It will go to public hearing early this next year.

Fees have generally stayed low compared to the Lower Mainland, but they are currently looking at changing these. As for Single Stairs, I haven’t heard anything from the city. But community engagement was very vocal in support.

BREAKING: Nanaimo’s city council just voted 8-1 to recommend City Staff to eliminate all minimum parking requirements for all uses within the Downtown Urban Centre. After over a year of advocacy with Strong Towns Nanaimo. Our first step was a resounding success! #peopleoverparking #parkingreform

It’s truly amazing how far Nanaimo has come. During the engagement of the “Form and Character Development Permit Guidelines” Point Access Blocks were specifically asked for as well as places for people rather than cars. *This was before the BC Building Code changes*