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Alternative Approval Process for Park Dedication Removal of a Portion of Elaine Hamilton Park (Sandstone Development)

The Council of the City of Nanaimo is seeking elector approval to adopt "Parks Dedication Amendment Bylaw 2025 No. 2255.01". If adopted, the bylaw will authorize Council to remove the park dedication from a portion of Elaine Hamilton Park, located at 1631 Naylor Crescent, to dedicate it as road right-of-way in order to provide access to a future development site as envisioned in the Sandstone Master Plan. The process begins Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. and will run until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025.

A copy of Bylaw 2255.01 is available below and from the Legislative Services Department, City Hall, 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, during each business day of the week between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. excluding statutory holidays.

Background Information

The Sandstone Master Plan was adopted by the City in 2022. A subsequent rezoning application for the Sandstone development areas was approved by Council on May 27, 2024. Development Area 6 (DA6), in the Cinnabar Valley neighbourhood, requires a portion of Elaine Hamilton Park (located at 1631 Naylor Crescent) to be removed as parkland and dedicated as road to provide access to the development site located at 1750 Rajeena Way. The proposed new road would connect via the property at 1618 Extension Road.

In BC, removal of parkland (including a portion of parkland) requires approval of the electors.

To learn more about the proposed park dedication removal and road dedication please review this staff report: Proposed Removal of Park Dedication from a Portion of 1631 Naylor Crescent (Elaine Hamilton Park). Further information regarding the Sandstone development is outlined in the Sandstone Master Plan and can also be found on the City of Nanaimo What’s Building in my Neighbourhood page that was created for the rezoning application.

QUICK FACTS

  • Elaine Hamilton Park consists of approximately 7.31 acres (2.96 hectares) of land. The proposed partial park dedication removal area, located at the north end of the park, is approximately 1.03 acres (0.417 hectares).
  • The existing washroom/fieldhouse facility will need to be removed for the road to be built; however, a replacement facility will be rebuilt in Elaine Hamilton Park by Sandstone.
  • The playing fields are outside of the project area and will remain intact.
  • Sandstone will be responsible for the costs to construct the road, including costs associated with environmental mitigation and restoration.
  • Should the park dedication removal bylaw be adopted, the City will receive $45,000 from Sandstone for the road dedication.
  • The DA6 lands at 1750 Rajeena Way were rezoned as R10 in May 2024 which allows for a maximum density of 600 residential units.
photo of parkland showing a section of road marked in yellow

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

To formally adopt the park dedication removal bylaw, Council must first seek elector approval of the bylaw. Accordingly, Council will be undertaking an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) as permitted under the Community Charter. This is a common process used by municipalities to seek elector approval.

How an Alternative Approval Process Works

  • If you are in favour of adoption of the park dedication removal bylaw, no action is required.
  • If you are an eligible resident or non-resident property elector of the City of Nanaimo and you are opposed to the adoption of the park dedication removal bylaw without it first receiving assent of the electors by voting (referendum), you may sign an AAP Elector Response Form.
  • The deadline for submission of signed Elector Response Forms is on or before 4:30 pm on Monday, July 21, 2025. Please review elector eligibility requirements on the City’s AAP webpage: Alternative Approval Process Information and Eligibility
  • The number of electors in the City of Nanaimo is estimated to be 76,724. Approval of the electors is obtained if less than 7,672 elector response forms are received by the deadline.
  • Accordingly, City Council may proceed with adopting Bylaw No. 2255.01 unless 10 per cent of electors (7,672) submit elector response forms by the deadline, 4:30 pm on Monday, July 21, 2025.

AAP ELECTOR RESPONSE FORM

Elector Response Forms will be available beginning 2025-JUN-18.

The AAP Elector Response Form will be available online and physical copies will be made available at the Legislative Services counter at City Hall during business hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. As per Council’s AAP Policy, a maximum of 10 printed copies will be provided per individual throughout the AAP process.

Completed forms must be submitted by 4:30 pm, Monday, July 21, 2025, and can be submitted in one of the following three ways:

  • In person: at the Legislative Services department (City Hall);
  • Via mail: sent to 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo BC V9R 5J6; or
  • Online: upload a scan or photograph of an original hand-written (physically) signed and completed form through the submission page on the City website: https://www.nanaimo.ca/goto/AAP

Elector response forms must contain original signatures; therefore, the City of Nanaimo cannot accept Elector Response Forms that have digital/electronic signatures.

In order to be counted, all forms must be received by the Corporate Officer by 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025. Forms received after this deadline will not be considered.

If you have any questions about the AAP process, please email Legislative.servicesoffice@nanaimo.ca or call 250 755-4405.

For questions or more information regarding the Sandstone project, please reach out to the contacts below:

Last updated: June 11, 2025

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