Vancouver Infill & Lowrise Updates Discussion

[SFUVancouver]

I also think that it looks great. 200' isn't really that long, either, in my books.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

I also think that it looks great. 200' isn't really that long, either, in my books.

Same but I gotta take what I can get.

[Feathered Friend]

We've seen many things, but Stratford Hall's decision to purchase 3030-3038 Commercial Drive to stop the addition of 43 rental homes is unique. Yet, despite their opposition, they've never told the City of Vancouver to remove the proposal.

https://www.isabc.ca/news/were-adding-room-future-three-have-now-become-one

https://twitter.com/City_Duo/status/1198748996140879872?s=20

You can learn more about this discarded project through the link to the City of Vancouver rezoning page below
https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/3038commercial/index.htm

In 2017, Abundant Housing Vancouver detailed their concerns about the proposal's fate, & the reasons for the school's opposition.
http://abundanthousingvancouver.com/3030commercialdrive

https://twitter.com/City_Duo/status/1198754644798783490?s=20

[Feathered Friend]

Vancouver’s UDP Hopes New Rental Homes Will Find Grandview Woodland’s Divine Cultural Identity

2025 East 12th Avenue and 2776 Semlin Drive (Lakeview Multicultural United Church)
Since, by their very nature, rezoning consultation events require a large venue, Hannah and I have had the opportunity to visit many of Vancouver’s places of worship. One of the more unique ones is this little church at the corner of Semlin and East 12th. Its congregation is pretty wonderful too as, like the previous event, they brought in home-cooked treats, including pumpkin pie! Clearly their continued presence here is a community benefit in and of itself.

That’s even before considering that their new facility will also provide over 100 new rental homes, with 30% permanently secured below the Housing Income Limit rate. It’s no wonder that, despite the night’s large attendance, the only complaints we overheard were about the location of the parking ramp and the effects it would have on the Lakeview Terrace Co-op to the north. This echos concerns raised not only at the pre-application open house, but also at the Urban Deign Panel.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/11/26...view-woodlands-divine-cultural-identity/

[Feathered Friend]

https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/2336-2366charles/documents/perspectives.pdf

Urban Design Panel Lights Up Grandview Woodland Gardens With A Lengthy List Of Recommendations

2406-2488 Garden Drive
Perhaps the biggest misconception Hannah and I see about our city’s growth is that it’s dictated by the development community. While some of those professionals may display an aura of overconfidence, anyone who’s attended a meeting of the Urban Design Panel can attest to how nervous they really are over the potential result. That’s about more than pride, as this presentation can cost well over $30,000 for the info boards and building model alone.

Then again, that’s nothing compared to the costs for a large overhaul when a request for resubmission is made. That shouldn’t have been a worry this time, as these rezoning applications are essentially pre-designed by the Grandview Woodland Community Plan. Which might be why city staff asked the panel to comment on the fine-grain issues more typically seen at the development permit stage. Still, by the end of the review, the applicants had plenty of reasons to be sweating.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/12/10...-with-a-lengthy-list-of-recommendations/

[Feathered Friend]

Vancouver Ghost Town Welcomes ~5% Increase To Family Rental Housing Stock

3449 – 3479 West 41st Avenue & 5664 Collingwood Street
As public consultation grinds to a halt over the winter holidays, and Darren is normally the one who covers reviews by the Urban Design Panel, I thought I had already written my last post for this year. While there were a couple small events scheduled, none of them seemed like they would generate enough of a response to write about. That changed when we were tipped-off about a pre-application open house for a rental building near the Dunbar Loop.

For a city that champions public engagement, I fail to understand why notice of these early meetings are only sent to addresses within two blocks of the project. Which is why we are so grateful when one of our loyal readers pass them along, as the odd time when we forget to post them, we can still share what we learn. In this case, the events that have happened beforehand are just as important...

...even the Dunbar Residents’ Association admits the community has become a ghost town, as only 1% of homes here are purposed built rental, with only 93 having three-bedroooms.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2019/12/13...increase-to-family-rental-housing-stock/

[cyclinginvancouver]

Strand Development has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to develop a six-storey, mixed-used building, including:


• a total of 121 market rental units;
• a total of 1,005 sq. m of retail space at grade;
• a total Floor Space Ratio of 3.28;
• a building height of 21.5 m;
• two levels of underground parking with 108 parking spaces; and
• 159 bicycle spaces.


The application is being considered under the Affordable Housing Choices Interim Rezoning Policy.


The rezoning application was approved by City Council, following Public Hearing, on July 11, 2019. Among the conditions of Council’s enactment, the applicant must obtain approval of the development permit.

We welcome your written comments (letter or e-mail) on this development application. Comments should be received on, or before January 31, 2020, to be considered in the staff review. However, written comments will be considered up until the date of decision.

3833 Fraser Street

[cyclinginvancouver]

The Molnar Group has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to develop a seven 7-storey office tower and six 6-storey School - University or College tower, with shared two 2-storey shared podium building at the base, consisting of:

Site FSR (Floor Space Ratio) of approximately 3.0 FSR (212,770 sq. ft.);
Approximate heights of 88 ft. (Office tower) and 80 ft. (School tower) where facing North lane; and
Approximate heights of 96 ft. (Office tower) and 92 ft. (School tower) where facing South courtyard; and
Two levels of underground parking with approximately 282 parking spaces with access off Kaslo Street.

Under the site’s existing CD-1(497) zoning, the application is “conditional” so it may be permitted; however, it requires the decision of the Director of Planning.

We welcome your written comments (letter or e-mail) on this development application. Comments should be received on, or before January 10 , 2020, to be included in the staff review. However, comments will be considered up until the date of decision.

2710 Kaslo Street

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by cyclinginvancouver

2710 Kaslo Street

Well that's exciting to see come forward. I remember the master plan for the whole site coming through the UDP ages and ages ago. Considering the office building immediately adjacent to Renfrew station took a while to lease up, it's not surprising that it's taken a while for the next phase to come forward. I wonder if this is part of the plan to move the arts school from its interim renovated facility next door and then redevelop that parcel?

[officedweller]

Thanks!
That office / school block looks interesting.

[cyclinginvancouver]

1247 Kingsway

The City has received an application to rezone 1247 Kingsway from C-2 (Commercial District) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) to allow for the development of a 6-storey mixed-use building including:

a total of 31 secured market rental units;
commercial uses at grade;
a total floor space ratio (FSR) of 3.60;
a total floor area of 3,039 sq. m (32,715 sq. ft.);
a maximum height of 21 m (70 ft.); and
16 underground parking stalls and 100 bike spaces.
The application is being considered under the Secured Market Rental Housing (Rental 100) Policy.

A community open house will be held on February 18, 2020, 5:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Church of Nazarene (998 East 19th Avenue) with City staff and the applicant team available to answer questions.

[URL="https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applications/1247kingsway/index.htm"]

[whatnext]

Nice to see this new single lot infill on Main offer two floors of apartments, rather than the wasteful one floor retail with mezzanine.

[IMG]IMG_5712 by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]

[SpongeG]

I don't know what this is but its in Mt Pleasant on 8th ave I think about 2 blocks east of Cambie.

Dec 24
2019-12-24_05-31-50 by snub_you, on Flickr

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I don't know what this is but its in Mt Pleasant on 8th ave I think about 2 blocks east of Cambie

That's The Beltline. https://changingcitybook.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/224-west-8th-avenue/

[SFUVancouver]

Thank you both. Interesting little project. Anyone know if tenants have been announced?

[whatnext]

What are the developers of the "Turners Dairy" project at Ontario and E.17th smoking? $2.5 million for a townhouse when you can buy a house in the same 'hood for less?

https://www.rew.ca/properties/R2417184/1...64&searchable_type=Geography&sort=latest

[whatnext]

Heather and 17th, yet another set of condos priced for vanished offshore buyers. Nearing completion and units still available from $2.3 million

We lost a building of affordable rental for this gem.

[IMG]IMG_5861 by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]
(my photo)

[Feathered Friend]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Heather and 17th, yet another set of condos priced for vanished offshore buyers. Nearing completion and units still available from $2.3 million

We lost a building of affordable rental for this gem.

In other words, some of the 3 bedroom condos in this four floor concrete building are selling for roughly the assessed value of the ~30 year old single family home located literally next door.

https://www.bcassessment.ca/Property/Info/QTAwMDAwMThGUA==

It seems the bigger problem might be the existing zoning that encourages this kinda thing. Hopefully the Broadway Plan addresses that.

[Hmoob]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

In other words, some of the 3 bedroom condos in this four floor concrete building are selling for roughly the assessed value of the ~30 year old single family home located literally next door.

https://www.bcassessment.ca/Property/Info/QTAwMDAwMThGUA==

It seems the bigger problem might be the existing zoning that encourages this kinda thing. Hopefully the Broadway Plan addresses that.

I'm curious how you think this is an effect of existing zoning and what changes you think would help. I wonder if we may have some similar ideas on the topic, but I don't follow your connection in this case. I'd be happy to learn from your insight and significant experience observing the city development process.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Heather and 17th, yet another set of condos priced for vanished offshore buyers. Nearing completion and units still available from $2.3 million

We lost a building of affordable rental for this gem.

[IMG]IMG_5861 by whatnextyvr, on Flickr[/IMG]
(my photo)

With such low density and being a concrete building, I'm not surprised the units are going for $2.3 mil and up. If they can't sell, this will definitely discourage other developers to build low density buildings in Vancouver proper.