Vancouver Infill & Lowrise Updates Discussion

[whatnext]

Developers, government and stratas need to come up with a standardized storage unit that can be used in unused parking spaces. The greatest beef I hear from condo dwellers (other than their neighbours) is lack of storage. Most stratas don't allow you to strew junk all over your parking spot, so there should be a standardized, portable unit that meets fire code that can be inserted into an unused parking spot.

[GenWhy?]

Agreed condos are one thing, but the remaining issue for rentals are another. Either way, mandating an expense of that $35,000-$45,000 parking spot (or storage unit) might need a revamp. There is a parking revamp coming down the pipe from City Hall, but likely just before or after the election.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Agreed condos are one thing, but the remaining issue for rentals are another. Either way, mandating an expense of that $35,000-$45,000 parking spot (or storage unit) might need a revamp. There is a parking revamp coming down the pipe from City Hall, but likely just before or after the election.

Agree about rentals. Couldn't there be a covenant that dwellers in those units cannot own cars?

As an aside, I'd love to see CMHC do some carless rental units on Granville Island where the cement plant is. Would bring some life to the island after dark.

[Feathered Friend]

Here's my recap of the first project from the Jan 24th UDP meeting. As there was a False Creek workshop that night, I wasn't able to see the results of the other projects. I should also note that I was late to the meeting, and missed out on most of the introduction, other than catching that the model presented is not completely accurate.

Frankly, there wasn't a lotto recap from the meeting. Perhaps this UDP is still hurting from being down to only 3 architects instead of the usual 6, or maybe without some of the previous members it has just been weakened. Comments were mostly supportive; the extra length of the building given the block it was on was supported. That said, it was felt that the mid block pathway could be more visible, that it currently leads to nowhere. It was further expressed that the building could do more to relate to its neighbours. There were also comments requesting a larger rooftop amenity space, and for it to be better connected to the indoor amenity space. The biggest critique was whether the under cutting was serving a purpose especia;lly on the north and east sides.

I didn't grab all of the consensus, but what I did hear was that the building needs to examine its relationship to grade, as well as pay more attention to the midblock pathway. A desire to enhance the entryway was also expressed, and it was felt this could be accomplished, perhaps by some sort of canopy. At the roof level there was a desire for the mechanical equipment to be relocated, and that the top floor corners needed a second look. The project easily cleared it's way through, though there were suggestions that the materiality of the sides should be reconsidered at the DP stage.

[Feathered Friend]

http://bucci.com/gardendrive/

Darren found this Grandview Woodlands project while surfing the City’s calendar. It has gone through its pre-application process, and has seen a reduction in FSR of 0.5, as well as an increase in the amount of parking provided. Considering these homes will be literally minutes away from the Broadway Commercial Skytrain Station, I can’t help but feel this is a very unfortunate change for the developer, and the community as a whole. The open house is set for 6-8 pm March 16th at the Trout Lake Community Centre. The application is not yet on the City’s website.

Here's a 6 story project working it's way through the rezoning process. More info can be found at https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/02/12...coming-to-nanaimo-and-broadway/#more-199

[osirisboy]

Well that's disappointing

I'm really beginning to dislike these 6 stores things. They look ridiculous

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well that's disappointing

I'm really beginning to dislike these 6 stores things. They look ridiculous

Yep, why is it the 5 story building that line the streets of Paris look so great, and yet ours look cheap and tacky? Part of it is the Tyranny of the Balcony, that barely used appendage builders feel they need to stick onto every suite.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well that's disappointing

I'm really beginning to dislike these 6 stores things. They look ridiculous

They are the "monster houses" of the millenium. One day in the future, we will have plenty of those, like how we have plenty of "Vancouver Specials" of the 70s. This type of backward Vancouver mentality never ceases....

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Vin

They are the "monster houses" of the millenium. One day in the future, we will have plenty of those, like how we have plenty of "Vancouver Specials" of the 70s. This type of backward Vancouver mentality never ceases....

Are you seriously this mad about benign 6 story mixed-use condo buildings? And labeling it an example of "backward Vancouver mentality," when, while boring, they aren't bad at all, and are being built in cities across North America? What about building them shows backward mentality?

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Yep, why is it the 5 story building that line the streets of Paris look so great, and yet ours look cheap and tacky?

The difference between classical and modern architecture....

[joltex]

Rendering from Landa's 10th and Alma development application:


http://development.vancouver.ca/pc3668w10th/documents/renderings.pdf

[csbvan]

Now THAT is some tacky architecture. It looks like an overstretched West Side McMansion, complete with pillars and white tile

[osirisboy]

I'm fine with it, if they don't cheap out on the materials it will be at least a nice change.

I wouldn't mind seeing more traditional looking buildings. Something like this but without the top floor set back, the columns, and arches etc.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Yep, why is it the 5 story building that line the streets of Paris look so great, and yet ours look cheap and tacky? Part of it is the Tyranny of the Balcony, that barely used appendage builders feel they need to stick onto every suite.

I think the balconies are fine, to me it's the bizarre mix of materials used. They need to just pick one material and use that (ideally brick or stone) and not have this jumble of a mess. Also the weird set backs add to the cheap clutterd look, imo

[Feathered Friend]

Project Stats

The City of Vancouver has received an application to rezone 5809-5811 Main Street from RT-2 (Two-Family Dwelling) to a CD-1 (Comprehensive Development). The proposal is for a 3.5-storey residential cohousing building, including:

a total of 12 residential units, including an enhanced affordability component;
a total floor space ratio (FSR) of 1.47;
a total floor area of 913 sq. m. (9,829 sq. ft.);
a height of 13.9 m (46 ft); and
Three vehicle parking spaces, one carshare space, and 15 bicycle spaces.
The application is being considered under the Affordable Housing Choices Interim Rezoning Policy.
http://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/5809-5811mainst/index.htm

Photos (four exclusive to SSP)

This is one of the rare projects were my better half didn’t join me, so it’s just going to by my opinion reflected on this one. This was one of those weird open houses were the staff (city and applicant) far outnumbered the members of the general public most of the night. While I didn’t get an exact number of how many people attended, I would put it at a couple dozen at most. Of the people that did show up, I would say the majority were people that were already part of the co-housing network. I should note that most of the applicant team were from Tomo Spaces, the people that will actually be living in these homes. As you might expect, most in attendance were in favour of the proposal. In fact, I only heard two complaints in the entire night. One was about a lack of parking, while the other was simply someone that didn’t want this rezoning to go ahead, so they would instead be able to rezone their property (the policy that allows for this project doesn’t allow another to be located within a 10 block radius).

Admittedly, when I came in I was skeptical about this design. I felt the streetscape was very boring, and Hannah went as far to say that it looked like a washed out barn. Though the nature of a passive house building means there is little room for architectural flare we were disappointed that the exterior colouring was a bland white/grey while the interior was clad with vibrant shades of green. In talking with various individuals, I learned this was not the choice of the property owner, nor the design of the architect. Rather, at some point during the process either members of the public or city staff demanded that the building be toned down into the muted colours you see today. I was given the impression if there was sufficient public support it was still possible to see a much bolder exterior, so I hope some write in to support that option.

So my posts doesn't take over the whole forum, more info can be found at:
https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/02/17...the-community-and-arts-at-41st-and-main/

[GenWhy?]

Like many SF homes along major arterials, their current zoning is low and outdated, at best. The current site is RT-2, which is essentially a glorified SF home in Van, adjacent to RS-1. I think for the co-op, going higher meant higher costs (necessity for parking and the current transformer pad are huge costs, concrete). At the current density they can get away with 1 car share and the 1 reg. stall. Also, I think the City views the exterior circulation favourably only due to being a smaller project and a co-op, which is awesome. While I agree in principle that more density should be on Main and along 41st, the public process and the process with the City for more density would have been too great, I assume. under 15 units is a development sweet spot, if you can get the costs right and get the land cheaper than most folks (have a good broker or someone on the inside before market).

[VanK]

RE: Tomo House Welcomes the Community and Arts at 41st and Main

The City should consider doing a Main Street corridor area plan.
Needs more height and needs a mixed use (retail) corridor between 41st to 49th on Main street IMO.

[Feathered Friend]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

My photos -

Three months later

[phesto]

^Thanks for the pics!

The mullions bother me. It's like they should've made them darker to blend in more with the glass, or bolder to match the white facade elements. Instead they went with the cheap metal C-class office look.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by phesto

^Thanks for the pics!

The mullions bother me. It's like they should've made them darker to blend in more with the glass, or bolder to match the white facade elements. Instead they went with the cheap metal C-class office look.

It looks to me like the vertical pieces are white, matching the façade, and the horizontal are the metal frames but so far without any caps, so presumably will be white once installed. The model showed dark grey mullions contrasting with the white panels, so either they've changed that or there may be a protective white film that's not the final colour.