A developer has planned a child care facility on Dogwood Street in Campbell River.
The plan by the Métis Nation of British Columbia will see a one-story childcare facility built on the northeast corner of Dogwood Street and Evergreen Road.
The 5,000 square foot building would provide 61 spaces.
It’s the first phase of a more ambitious two-phase project on the four lots (11, 23, 35 and 47 Dogwood Street) that will be consolidated in the future.
A long range plan calls for 45 affordable rental units for Métis families and a cultural gathering space with possible commercial use.
“Phase 2 of the project will come in front of council later this fall. Phase 2 is going to be a six-storey mixed-use building comprised of 45 units and so we just received that application, it’s under review,” Development Planning Manager Meghan Norman said.
The one, two and three bedroom units would be geared toward Métis families, seniors and other Indigenous members.
Campbell River City Council approved the major development permit for the child care portion with some variances for reduced setbacks from the road and lot lines as well as an increased percentage for small car parking spaces.
Staff say the only complaint they received was from the Dogwood Glen Strata at 595 Evergreen Road about increased traffic and about the proposed building being so close to the road.
Asked by Mayor Kermit Dahl about access to the child care, Norman said the facility would be accessed by a newly built laneway and not from Dogwood Street or Evergreen Road.
It’s expected the child care center will be running by the fall next year.
