Nelson Commons is popular with homebuyers
By Bill Metcalfe
Since its display suite on Vernon St. opened in August, 41 people have so far formally expressed interest in purchasing units in the Kootenay Co-op’s proposed housing development.
Those people have not yet made offers to purchase, though, because Nelson Commons needs to clear some hurdles at city hall first.
Nelson Commons Holding Ltd., the development company created by the Kootenay Co-op, decided it needed at least 45 units spoken for out of the possible 54 to justify going before city council to request a development permit and zoning variance, and they still have until the end of the month to make their target.
If they are successful at council, they will then put the units on sale, giving first priority to those who signed up over the past month.
At an upcoming council meeting the date of which is not determined, according to city planner Dave Wahn, Nelson Commons will be asking for four things:
- a building height increase to 17 meters from the current standard of 16 meters,
- a loading bay reduction from the standard 12 metres to 11 metres,
- a reduction in parking stall numbers from 190 to 103, and
- parking stall size reduction from 17 square metres to two sizes: 15 square metres and 13.5 square metres.
In addition to those variances, according to Wahn, Nelson Commons will also need a demolition permit approval and a building permit both from the building inspector, and a development permit for form and character of the development from Wahn himself.
If those applications are successful, Co-op general manager Deirdrie Lang says units will be priced in the $239,000 to $499,000 range. She said the largest units—2 and 3 bedroom units with a den, on the corners of the building—are the most popular.
“Most of the people who want to buy are locals,” she said. “There have been only a couple from out of town. Lots of Co-op members are dropping in, not to buy, just to look, There have been a couple of people who are not happy with the design of the building but most are excited and positive.”
Following the Co-op’s annual general meeting at the New Grand Hotel on September 25, there will be a meeting for members to bring them up to speed on developments and answer their questions.
This article was updated at 10:15 on September 20, deleting a paragraph on permits and replacing it with the bulleted paragraph above and the one directly following it.
Related story in The Nelson Daily:
Kootenay Co-op will start selling units in September (June, 2013)
