Burnaby Updates

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Changing City

That's actually not all Burnaby Council are trying to do, but they're having a bit of a problem getting that across to staff. Council requested a report on achieving more affordable housing in Burnaby, and got one that said that some developers are struggling to create the 20% below-market housing required, and recommended allowing even more condos so that the affordable units get built.

Council unanimously rejected that, saying that wasn't what they wanted - they didn't ask for more condos, they wanted ways to create affordable units, and not just in the City Centres. So the report has to come back again.

Did Burnaby councillors really reject a plan to allow developers to build more condos? Yes.

This bit near the end stood out to me:

Calendino said residents have “a bit of fatigue” regarding building heights in the town centres.

“I personally would like to see more spread-out development,” Calendino said.

While the urban villages are an example of that, he suggested, it could also include major roads, near transit, like Canada Way or Boundary Road.

“That’s where we can go with the stick frame of a four-to-six storey building to accommodate more affordable housing – and yet, we are lowering the density for those type of projects,” Calendino said.

[Lexus]

2023, June 17

Alaska. Decent setback, hopefully one day some pedestrian, cycle pathway will make it's way over railroad ...

IMG_2012 by Lexus LX600, on Flickr

IMG_2013 by Lexus LX600, on Flickr

IMG_2014 by Lexus LX600, on Flickr


EA Games campus expansion

IMG_2015 by Lexus LX600, on Flickr

IMG_2016 by Lexus LX600, on Flickr

[NetMapel]

I received an email back from Sungiven Foods confirming that they’re opening at Brentwood this July (next month!?). It is basically a smaller T&T grocery chain and originated from its Gilmore/Hasting location but now have several locations in the lower mainland. This news came as a surprise to me as I am not aware of any current places around Brentwood with the floor space or prep for it. Certainly not at the “Amazing Brentwood” location itself. So I am curious if other folks here know of preps for it currently around the Brentwood area? Like maybe across the street at Whole Foods? Around Save-on-Foods?

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by NetMapel

I received an email back from Sungiven Foods confirming that they’re opening at Brentwood this July (next month!?). It is basically a smaller T&T grocery chain and originated from its Gilmore/Hasting location but now have several locations in the lower mainland. This news came as a surprise to me as I am not aware of any current places around Brentwood with the floor space or prep for it. Certainly not at the “Amazing Brentwood” location itself. So I am curious if other folks here know of preps for it currently around the Brentwood area? Like maybe across the street at Whole Foods? Around Save-on-Foods?

It might be a little small (though Sungiven locations don't tend to be very large), but they've been renovating the commercial space beneath Solo District tower 3 for a while. Perhaps there?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by NetMapel

I received an email back from Sungiven Foods confirming that they’re opening at Brentwood this July (next month!?). It is basically a smaller T&T grocery chain and originated from its Gilmore/Hasting location but now have several locations in the lower mainland. This news came as a surprise to me as I am not aware of any current places around Brentwood with the floor space or prep for it. Certainly not at the “Amazing Brentwood” location itself. So I am curious if other folks here know of preps for it currently around the Brentwood area? Like maybe across the street at Whole Foods? Around Save-on-Foods?

Seems more likely that they are talking about the Greystone location?

[NetMapel]

Originally Posted by chowhou

It might be a little small (though Sungiven locations don't tend to be very large), but they've been renovating the commercial space beneath Solo District tower 3 for a while. Perhaps there?

That sounds possible! I saw there is a Saku opening up there and beside it is a space that seems about the right size for a Sungiven. Everything in there is pretty empty right now.

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems more likely that they are talking about the Greystone location?

I supposed that is entirely possible though the Greystone location would be further from Brentwood centre than the Gilmore/Hasting location? In my email to them, I specifically asked about a Brentwood location that is much closer to the centre so it is closer to the actual population and sky train…

By the way, this is the paragraph I got back from them.

Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your valuable feedback. We are delighted to share the exciting news that our new Sungiven store in Brentwood is on track to open in July of this year. Our dedicated colleagues are working diligently to prepare for the grand opening. We are confident that this new location will meet the needs of the Brentwood community and provide you with a convenient shopping experience.

[madog222]

More information on the change of scope at 4330 Kingsway. The 19 storey office tower on the east side of the site will be retained and re-clad as originally planned. The 10 storey office tower will be demolished and replaced with a residential tower. 4370 Kingsway, the 2 storey RBC building, will now be part of the redevelopment and will be replaced with "a future commercial office building."

https://pub-burnaby.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=68205

[LeftCoaster]

Perfect, exactly what I was hoping would happen the first time around!

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems more likely that they are talking about the Greystone location?

What's the Greystone location?

[madog222]

Originally Posted by officedweller

What's the Greystone location?

1601 Burnwood Drive, it was a Super Valu before the property sold last year.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by NetMapel

I supposed that is entirely possible though the Greystone location would be further from Brentwood centre than the Gilmore/Hasting location? In my email to them, I specifically asked about a Brentwood location that is much closer to the centre so it is closer to the actual population and sky train…

By the way, this is the paragraph I got back from them.

They seemed to be fairly public about planned store openings that's why I would be very surprised to see something randomly open somewhere actually in Brentwood.

[NetMapel]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

They seemed to be fairly public about planned store openings that's why I would be very surprised to see something randomly open somewhere actually in Brentwood.

I share your surprise but I also have trouble seeing how the Greystone location serves Brentwood. It’s even further away from the Brentwood centre

Guess we shall see in July then! Or I should just respond to the email and ask

[SpongeG]

The Sungiven Foods for North Burnaby Greystone was supposed to have opened already but still has not opened. That would give North Burnaby 3 stores. If driving with light traffic they are only 5-10 minutes apart.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by madog222

1601 Burnwood Drive, it was a Super Valu before the property sold last year.

Thanks - that's quite a ways away from Brentwood.

[NetMapel]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

They seemed to be fairly public about planned store openings that's why I would be very surprised to see something randomly open somewhere actually in Brentwood.

Sad to report that they have gotten back to me and confirming it is the Greystone location they are referring to. A bit of a let down in my mind since as I’ve pointed out before, it is even further away from Brentwood Centre than their Hastings/Willingdon branch… it is also also located in a little shopping area surrounded by lovely single family houses and a golf course, which means minimal density. So yeah, it is contrary to what I was looking for, which is locations closer to an actual population centre instead of car dependency combined with bad land usage…

[Sheba]

From BC Housing

Families, seniors and individuals in Burnaby will benefit from nearly 1,500 new affordable rental homes with the Province investing approximately $253 million to build several new developments.

...

Of the nearly 1,500 new homes:

* 305 units at three developments are expected to start construction by late 2023;
* 790 units at four major housing projects currently in development;
* 390 units at three developments that are currently under construction and are expected to be complete by 2025-26; and
* provincial funding ensures that the projects remain viable despite rising construction costs and that rents will remain affordable.

Confirmed projects are:

* 7392 16th Ave.: 203 homes, under construction, expected to be complete in 2025.
* 6889 Royal Oak Ave.: 134 homes, under construction, expected to be complete in 2025.
* 6608-6652 Sussex Ave.: 53 homes, under construction, expected to be complete by 2026.
* 3802 Hastings St.: 161 homes, construction expected to start in late 2023.
* 6488 Byrnepark Dr.: 130 homes, construction expected to start in late 2023.
* 7492 Holly St.: 14 homes, construction expected to start by fall 2023.

...

These projects are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 76,000 new homes have been delivered or are underway, including more than 4,000 homes in Burnaby.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Sheba

From BC Housing

I'm curious as to how funding for the four existing projects under construction is being handled. Is the province getting an equity stake or is it just financing?

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by whatnext

I'm curious as to how funding for the four existing projects under construction is being handled. Is the province getting an equity stake or is it just financing?

According to the details on that link the province is providing money as a grant, the city is providing the land and a grant, and CMHC is providing a grant.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Sheba

According to the details on that link the province is providing money as a grant, the city is providing the land and a grant, and CMHC is providing a grant.

Here are two of the projects: Catalyst Community Developments Society are dveloping 7392 16th Ave., with 203 units, and 6889 Royal Oak Ave., with 134 units.

Thirty per cent of the units will be rented at 20 per cent below the median market rent, as calculated by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. The remaining 70 per cent of units will be rented at 1.3 times the median market rent, according to Catalyst president Luke Harrison.

The median market rent in Southeast Burnaby, according to CMHC, is currently $1,344; in Metrotown it’s $1,527.

The feds are providing more than $113 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, and Burnaby is pitching in more than $31 million in funding and equity (mainly as the land contribution). BC Housing are providing $27m for the two projects.

[Lexus]

2023, June 21

Canada's largest film and television production studio to be built in Burnaby

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bridge-studios-lake-city-way-3131-lake-city-way-burnaby

Untitled by Lexus LX600, on Flickr

Untitled by Lexus LX600, on Flickr

Untitled by Lexus LX600, on Flickr