A major development proposal in Parksville, which includes a large grocery store on Resort Drive, will now move to a public hearing after council voted in favor during its Sept. 3 meeting. The hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 and will give residents the chance to share their views before council makes a final decision.
The plan, submitted by Primex Investments, involves a mixed-use project with both commercial and residential components on a site at 1180 Resort Drive, next to the Island Highway. The developer is seeking amendments that would allow subdivision of a large parcel of land, with density calculated across the full site rather than just the specific parcel. In addition, the company is asking for approval to build a commercial space larger than what current zoning rules permit.
Construction is already underway on three six-storey residential towers next to the proposed site, complete with underground parking. The addition of a grocery store is seen by some as a natural complement, but others on council expressed concern about its potential impact on existing businesses in the downtown area.
Councillor Amit Gaur voiced one of the strongest objections, saying a store of the proposed size could hurt local shops. He suggested council delay the public hearing until a market impact study was completed. Such an assessment, estimated to cost at least $25,000 and potentially much more, could take several months depending on consultant availability.
Councillor Sean Wood disagreed, arguing that a hearing would be a more direct and less costly way to gauge community opinion. “I would rather see us save the $30,000 and let the public hearing give us the feedback that we need,” he said during the session.
Mayor Doug O’Brien supported advancing the project to a hearing, highlighting the convenience the new store could provide to residents in the resort area and nearby Craig Bay. He noted that a grocery store within walking distance could reduce local traffic, particularly the need to cross the busy two-lane bridge. O’Brien also emphasized that the store’s final size would be dictated by market demand.
Feedback from a public open house in July suggested strong community interest in the project. According to a report from Blaine Russell, director of community planning and building, 40 people attended, with many expressing support. Councillor Sylvia Martin echoed those sentiments, saying she was impressed by the vision and turnout.
Councillor Mary Beil expressed cautious support, acknowledging lingering concerns about the scale of the commercial space but agreeing that the public hearing was an important next step. Councillor Joel Grenz proposed an amendment asking the developer to appear before council as a delegation before the hearing, so that concerns from both residents and officials could be addressed directly. Grenz argued that refining the proposal further would make it stronger before presenting it to the public.
In the end, council voted to move the development forward to the Oct. 20 hearing, with only Gaur opposed. The upcoming session will provide residents a platform to weigh in on the project, which is shaping up as one of the most significant new developments in Parksville.
If approved, the grocery store would serve as a major retail anchor for the Resort Drive corridor, providing nearby residents with shopping options while raising questions about competition for existing downtown businesses. The public hearing will likely play a key role in shaping council’s final decision on whether to grant the zoning changes needed for construction.
