AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Comox Council Downzones Proposed Condo Site
The development community on Vancouver Island has voiced shock following a decision by the Town of Comox council to reduce the allowable height for a proposed condominium building on Comox Avenue from six storeys to four. This zoning change occurred during a recent bylaw update, impacting a major project planned for the main road leading to the town's centre.
Developers Cite Financial and Planning Concerns
Rick Fisher, a partner in the proposed 44-unit project, reported spending $340,000 on the development and was preparing to submit a construction permit when the council's decision was announced. The Town of Comox had granted a development permit to Fisher's group just last week, making the zoning reversal both unexpected and contentious. "This is really bad faith. This is egregious," Fisher said, describing the property at 1890 Comox Avenue as vacant for the past five years.
According to Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, the downzoning not only affects the individual project but could have broader implications for development in Comox. "No developer's going to want to build there," Kulmala warned, emphasizing the need for consistent planning, especially amidst efforts to increase housing supply in the region.
Community Opposition and Council's Perspective
At the council's first meeting since the October municipal election, re-elected Councillor Jonathan Kerr cited strong resident opposition to six-storey buildings, particularly reflected during the official community plan (OCP) process earlier in the year. Kerr detailed that a group of councillors, along with volunteers, knocked on 2,127 doors in three weeks, with 32 per cent citing growth, development, and community character as top concerns.
Kerr highlighted that two councillors who had voted against the OCP were re-elected, in contrast to the four who had voted in its favor. The shifting council dynamic was further reflected in the unanimous vote by all six councillors to proceed with preparing a zoning amendment bylaw, which would lower the building limitations for the property in question.
Political Context and Provincial Influence
The council debate unfolded amidst a significant provincial shift, with the B.C. Conservatives winning a majority in the recent provincial election on a platform that included repealing Bill 44. This bill, initially introduced by the NDP, aimed to pressure municipalities to build more housing. The premier-elect, Lorne Doerkson, has indicated opposition to provincial interference in local housing plans.
Comox Mayor Nicole Minions, who opposed the motion to begin downzoning, explained that although she voted against the OCP, she had supported the original bylaw permitting six storeys for the property. Minions declined to comment further, citing the "potential legal nature of the discussion." Rick Fisher said of his next steps, "all options are on the table," including possible legal action.
Changing Development Climate in Comox
Fisher acquired the site in 2019 and initially attempted to develop a rental building. After that project stalled, he submitted a new application for private condos in 2025 at the town's encouragement. The development process, he said, was previously "the simplest, fastest process I'd ever seen." But that changed abruptly when staff informed him that a downzoning motion would be on the upcoming council agenda.
Fisher argued that constructing a four-storey complex under the new zoning would not be financially viable, and expressed skepticism that banks would support a project with diminished returns. He also reported receiving numerous calls from other developers alarmed by the situation, stating, "This is such bad business for a municipal government." He predicted that new development in Comox may stall for at least five years as a result.
Looking Ahead
The downzoning of the Comox Avenue property marks a notable reversal for developers and reflects complex community dynamics regarding urban planning and real estate development in Comox. As the zoning amendment process moves forward, all eyes will be on how the council and stakeholders navigate legal, financial, and political challenges surrounding future housing supply in the town.
Source: cbc.ca.
