Summary

Research reveals a limited amount of land currently available for light industrial development in Nanaimo. A few property listings meet the search criteria however acquisition of some of these properties may involve clearing of land and/or buildings or renovation of buildings to suit your business needs. Alternatively, some larger acreage properties have potential for subdivision and offers can be made contingent on the purchase of smaller parcels.

That being said, recent trends of commercial development indicate the proliferation of non-industrial business expansion on industrial land designated or zoned areas and this is likely to continue in the future.

According to the City of Nanaimo Land Inventory & Residential Capacity Analysis, 2007:
There has been a significant demand for non-industrial uses on industrially zoned or designated land. For example, some large-format retail stores have been locating in the city on lands zoned or designated for industrial use. In addition, there have been instances of large office buildings locating in industrial areas. These industrial lands tend to be less expensive than commercially zoned properties. There has also been an instance of a church being located in an industrial area. Finally, some more traditional commercial uses, such as car dealerships have located in some industrial areas. Second, the demand for industrial land in Nanaimo appears to be predominantly light industrial in nature. The more successful industrial areas have been the ones that specialize on the lighter industrial side.

In addition, if there is continued spillover demand for non-industrial uses of the remaining light industrial land base, the amount of vacant light industrial land will be depleted sooner. It is believed that there may be a future shortage of lands for light industrial in the city in the midterm, particularly in locations that are central, although this depends on future rates of demand.

Should you not find a suitable property through this Land Review, it is recommended that an industrial land inventory be updated and monitored on a regular basis.

Source: City of Nanaimo Official Community Plan
http://www.nanaimo.ca/assets/Departments/Community~Planning/Offical~Community~Plan~-~10~Year~Review/Background~Information/land_capacity_analysis.pdf