General Vancouver Updates

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

June 20 '19, my pic

This is getting big...



Aug.1 '19, my pics

[Feathered Friend]

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2303-2355...n-session-display-boards-july-3-2019.pdf


https://www.google.com/earth/

Temporary Modular Skyscrapers? Nanaimo Station Neighbours Set High Expectations For The Future

2303 – 2355 Vanness Avenue
When it was first announced over two years ago, Vancouver’s Temporary Modular Housing drew a reaction that Darren and I have come to expect. Initially there was a fear of something new, which became twisted into an unreasonable boiling madness. How else can one explain the events in Marpole that resembled a zombie apocalypse? I cannot imagine what it was like to see people hammering on the venue’s widows, sneaking in through the fire exits, and nearly assaulting former City Councillor Kerry Jang.

However, that was not the first proposal. It is easy to forget about the pilot sites, like the one at Terminal and Main, as, like most social housing, it soon resembles any other building. Admittedly, even we forgot there was three other proposals including one next to Expo Line’s Nanaimo station. The city still insists community opposition did not play a role in pulling that project, but that might not be entirely accurate...

...As the planning department is about to initiate consultation to create new community plans around Nanaimo and 29th Avenue Station, it seems that firm’s patience may pay off. It is unlikely city council would approve the sale of any of these lands. That said, one person at this event felt a partnership of some sort might be possible. Others shared that hope, as another elderly resident proudly showed-off a handcrafted design which envisioned buildings that would put Yaletown to shame.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/08/09...rs-set-high-expectations-for-the-future/

[misher]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2303-2355...n-session-display-boards-july-3-2019.pdf


https://www.google.com/earth/





https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/08/09...rs-set-high-expectations-for-the-future/

I do find it awkward to rely on a ton of modular housing that is 50% or more of the price of permanent housing to provide a solution to our homelessness. I'm not sure what the future will hold but I suspect when it comes time for the 5 year term to end there will be massive protests and fights. However, having talked to several Housing BC staff, I do understand that permanent housing gets wrecked. No one outside the business truly understands just how bad the tenants of BC housing treat the housing. Opening up all the walls and ripping the wiring out or clogging the toilets through using them as trashcans is common. Renters and Owners of Stratas treat their housing like shit and often show little to no care, so I understand why temporary housing may be the best solution.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by misher

I do find it awkward to rely on a ton of modular housing that is 50% or more of the price of permanent housing to provide a solution to our homelessness. I'm not sure what the future will hold but I suspect when it comes time for the 5 year term to end there will be massive protests and fights. However, having talked to several Housing BC staff, I do understand that permanent housing gets wrecked. No one outside the business truly understands just how bad the tenants of BC housing treat the housing. Opening up all the walls and ripping the wiring out or clogging the toilets through using them as trashcans is common. Renters and Owners of Stratas treat their housing like shit and often show little to no care, so I understand why temporary housing may be the best solution.

This temporary housing is going to turn into a nightmare of yet unseen proportions.

No one will be willing to vacate these units in a few years time when they are dilapidated and due for renewal and we will probably not have built enough permanent units to relocate the people anyway.

I appreciate the need for short term housing, and I think this was a great short term solution but its lacking the permanent solution that's needed to make this a success.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and I think this is one good intention that will backfire on us tremendously.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by rofina

This temporary housing is going to turn into a nightmare of yet unseen proportions.

No one will be willing to vacate these units in a few years time when they are dilapidated and due for renewal and we will probably not have built enough permanent units to relocate the people anyway.

I appreciate the need for short term housing, and I think this was a great short term solution but its lacking the permanent solution that's needed to make this a success.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and I think this is one good intention that will backfire on us tremendously.

Yep, I can totally see these being future slums. Money will run out, governments will change and these "temporary" structures will be like school portables...

[officedweller]

Vancouver restaurant and retail property sold for $12.5 million
Biercraft site on Cambie Street, along with three other retail units, went for about $700K below assessed valued
https://www.westerninvestor.com/done-dea...roperty-sold-for-12-5-million-1.23913348

[Coldrsx]

Aw man... my cousin lives nearby and we love going there.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Vancouver restaurant and retail property sold for $12.5 million
Biercraft site on Cambie Street, along with three other retail units, went for about $700K below assessed valued
https://www.westerninvestor.com/done-dea...roperty-sold-for-12-5-million-1.23913348

Just another step in Cambie's march to blandification.

[csbvan]

Can't wait for the Starbucks and dentist offices

[misher]

Originally Posted by csbvan

Can't wait for the Starbucks and dentist offices

I now notice that it seems like we have a lot more dentists than we used to.
Also I'm surprised Starbucks has survived and thrived among the segment of our population that always complains Vancouver is too expensive. Happy to pay $5 daily for a coffee but complain about the rent every month? Personally I don't know how Vancouverites afford to have $5-$8 of alcohol along with coffee constantly. I'm kind of curious if we looked at where the bottom 50% of Vancouverites spend their money would we facepalm? Should definitely do some studies.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by misher

I now notice that it seems like we have a lot more dentists than we used to.
Also I'm surprised Starbucks has survived and thrived among the segment of our population that always complains Vancouver is too expensive. Happy to pay $5 daily for a coffee but complain about the rent every month? Personally I don't know how Vancouverites afford to have $5-$8 of alcohol along with coffee constantly. I'm kind of curious if we looked at where the bottom 50% of Vancouverites spend their money would we facepalm? Should definitely do some studies.

Wow this old trope? How about avocado toast?

The reason we can afford it is because we're better paid than you.

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by misher

I now notice that it seems like we have a lot more dentists than we used to.
Also I'm surprised Starbucks has survived and thrived among the segment of our population that always complains Vancouver is too expensive. Happy to pay $5 daily for a coffee but complain about the rent every month? Personally I don't know how Vancouverites afford to have $5-$8 of alcohol along with coffee constantly. I'm kind of curious if we looked at where the bottom 50% of Vancouverites spend their money would we facepalm? Should definitely do some studies.

Ignorance is bliss I guess. A grande brewed coffee at Starbucks is $2.65.

Ron.

[Feathered Friend]

Urban Design Panel Supports Record Setting Height Relaxation – New Public Spaces Tear Down Old Walls

1503 Kingsway – DP-2018-00892
There are many projects that really don’t need the extra scrutiny provided by the Urban Design Panel, but a building of this scale on such large site certainly does. As city staff are considering a record setting nine floor, 34.2 meter, height relaxation, an extra set of eyes becomes even more critical. Originally the applicant had asked permission to construct a 16 floors building here, but as we’ve previously noted, that allowance was reduced only days before the pre-application open house.

Even so, this version still respected the 2.5 FSR limit (pg 9 – 4.7.1) in the C-2 District Schedule. That policy also allows for this height relaxation (pg 6 – 4.3.2,) but only because of the property’s exceptionally large footprint. In fact, there may only be a few sites this large in all of Vancouver. That said. this height isn’t without context, as the nearby King Edward Village reaches even higher.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/08/15...n-new-public-spaces-tear-down-old-walls/

[officedweller]

Looks okay.
Interesting that more projects are going with the darker glass (better LEED performance?) and darker spandrel panels.
Nice to see taller ceiling heights for the retail spaces.
... and that looks like taller ceilings for the 2nd floor space too (?)

[GenWhy?]

Commercial heights for rezoning you're at 15+ but it's when you do a straight DP that you get the crap headroom for commerical and residential. It's a joke

2nd level is office, amenity and a gym.

[officedweller]

Thanks.
That explains the higher ceiling height on the 2nd level.

Compare typical Vancouver retail ceiling heights to the nice tall ceiling heights for retail on Hastings in the Heights in Burnaby.
That is a nice retail strip forming up there.

[officedweller]

From Trish Jewison twitter August 13th.

You can see various redevelopment sites -
Oakridge Transit Centre
RCMP HQ


https://twitter.com/TrishJewison

[officedweller]

Onyx

From Rize twitter August 13th:


https://twitter.com/RizeAlliance

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks.
That explains the higher ceiling height on the 2nd level.

Compare typical Vancouver retail ceiling heights to the nice tall ceiling heights for retail on Hastings in the Heights in Burnaby.
That is a nice retail strip forming up there.

Are those not either rezonings or was not that area given revised zoning? Hence the typical ceiling heights seen with standard Vancouver rezoning commercial heights?

[Feathered Friend]

560 Raymur - Updated Model

Urban Duo Quickly Cornered By Colourful Urban Design Panel Response

1220 – 1298 East Hastings Street and 560 Raymur Avenue
As the fate of these two applications are linked, like their open house, this Urban Design Panel review had an unusual format. It started out like normal, with a presentation from the applicant on the Hastings site, and then questions from the panel. Surprisingly, one person felt it would have been more appropriate to locate the industrial space here, and move the non-market homes to the Raymur site, even though it’s next to a busy rail line.

The team revealed it was a local residential association who preferred this option as it would allow for smaller retail stores, and create a more vibrant street. Instead of moving on to their debate and comments, the panel asked the applicant to present the Raymur site. In their questions, one member critiqued the Downtown Eastside Area Plan for not considering the affordability of the industrial space. Their fear was it would sit empty for years, and eventually be converted into retail space.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/08/16...y-colourful-urban-design-panel-response/