Vancouver Infill & Lowrise Updates Discussion

[LeftCoaster]

Wow, way too small.

This is a major contributor to why we've got a housing crisis on our hands.

Short walk to skytrain and a major employment node and this is what zoning allows...

[GenWhy?]

Yeah, zoning has not been changed around most stations. VanMaps says this is a C-1 site. which is 3-storeys... it's a good program that it's in, but a City-wide TOD strategy needs to happen. Up the block on Renfrew there is a proposal for 2 more 6-storey MIRHPP projects.

[Feathered Friend]

April - Pre-Application

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

August - Application

Braving the Cold – Kiwassa Residents Give New Family Housing Warm Reception

1102-1138 East Georgia Street – (1134 East Georgia)
It has been six months since we attended the pre-application open house for this little building, which seems to offer everything a family could ever want. It was clear this is exactly who the applicant had geared their design toward, as there was plenty of family-sized housing, and 20% of the homes were set at non-market rates. The proposal included services like small stores linked by a pedestrian mews, which was covered by a courtyard space that included a children’s playground. That concept easily won the support of those who came to the event. Still, as the recent civic election shows, a lot can change in half a year.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/1...arm-reception/

[officedweller]

Thanks.
So basically, the second passageway has been moved to the sidewalk to make a colonnade (plus a bigger interior courtyard)

[GenWhy?]

Colonnade instead of a N-S mews and courtyard is the same: https://rezoning.vancouver.ca/applic...rgia/index.htm

[LeftCoaster]

I think I'm ok with moving the passageway to the sidewalk. Keeping the pedestrian activity concentrated in one area helps increase the safety and vibrancy.

[GenWhy?]

Would be the same with the set up of the CRUs.

[Feathered Friend]

A Worthy Trade? Is it Time to Sacrifice Vancouver’s Parks to Preserve its Character Homes?

1535-1557 Grant Street
We have all experienced those times when we mean to do something, put it off, and then forget about it until it comes back to us weeks later. Our summary of this project’s open house was one of those cases. Part of it was because there was no rush given the excellent coverage in the Vancouver Courier and the Vancouver Sun . That said, we obviously had our own experiences that were not included in those publications. After all, people tend to be more polite when they speak on the record, as opposed to when they talk casually with us. Sadly, it seems some rather enjoy yelling at Darren.

Thankfully, even though it has been a month and half since the event, we have kept good notes, and are always there to jog each-others memories. It helps that Darren was suffering from a sore ankle at the time, and we both vividly remember him muttering curses as he hobbled his way down the stairs to Britannia Senior Secondary’s Cafeteria.

We were concerned over what might greet us when entered this event, as the pre-application open house was very toxic. When we walked into that meeting late last year, we could feel the tension in the air. We soon discovered we had just missed an altercation where a group of people spent several minutes screaming non-stop at a member of the applicant team. Suffice to say, we were ready for anything, but ultimately this event was much calmer, aside from a few exceptions.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/1...aracter-homes/

[Feathered Friend]

Vancouver’s Newest Duo – New Renfrew Street Rental Homes Embrace Urban Living
2603 – 2655 Renfrew Street and 2543 – 2583 Renfrew Street + 2895 E 10th Avenue
One of Darren and I’s core beliefs is that when more people have access to quality information, we all benefit. It is one the reasons we started City Duo, as we hoped our experiences would allow those who were too busy to attend these events to still have an informed voice, or at least lessen the anxiety some feel about the changes in our city.

So, I was conflicted when we received a message about a per-application event for a new project on Renfrew Street. Normally, we are eager to share that information, as public opinion at this early stage can really impact the design, look, and even the outcome of a proposal. Unfortunately, we were not provided with a copy of the notice card, or even the address of the proposed building; we were only told there would be an event at the Italian Cultural Centre on October 27th.

Ultimately, we decided it was best not to share that information, as we did not want take the chance that people might show up to an empty room. Luckily for us we didn’t waste our time, and we now regret not posting the information, as the food at the event was really good, and so were the two projects.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/1...-urban-living/

[Aroundtheworld]

^ This is exactly the kind of development this area needs. More people living near Skytrain and mixed-use to help make Renfrew a more complete street.

[BodomReaper]

What a total waste - the site is a stone's throw away from the station. These should be 60 storey towers, not 6 storey lowrises.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by BodomReaper

What a total waste - the site is a stone's throw away from the station. These should be 60 storey towers, not 6 storey lowrises.

Well that's craziness. Lol. For some reason you can't have towers next to sing family homes. (Although sticking towers beside 2 story townhouses seems totally fine.)

Even if they made it 10 stories with the same footprint it would be a lot better.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well that's craziness. Lol. For some reason you can't have towers next to sing family homes. (Although sticking towers beside 2 story townhouses seems totally fine.)

are you sure you cant?

it looks like they did that at Marine Gateway really.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well that's craziness. Lol. For some reason you can't have towers next to sing family homes. (Although sticking towers beside 2 story townhouses seems totally fine.)

Even if they made it 10 stories with the same footprint it would be a lot better.

Still pretty decent density though, 3.7 FSR. Towers in Burnaby are 5.0 FSR. Not a huge difference, and a lot more palatable for the neighbourhood. I just wish they would get more creative at street level. Looks like another glass wall is going to be built here. Not attractive to most businesses or pedestrians.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well that's craziness. Lol. For some reason you can't have towers next to sing family homes. (Although sticking towers beside 2 story townhouses seems totally fine.)

Um, Burnaby?

I also think that they should have gone taller and the city will regret it when the Millennium line extends east.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by logan5

Still pretty decent density though, 3.7 FSR. Towers in Burnaby are 5.0 FSR. Not a huge difference, and a lot more palatable for the neighbourhood. I just wish they would get more creative at street level. Looks like another glass wall is going to be built here. Not attractive to most businesses or pedestrians.

Creative in what way, and unappealing to business in what way?

[logan5]

Creative as in variation in colour and materials instead of a blank glass wall and common canopy. You cannot discern one retail suite from the next. Consequently, you end up with a very small range of businesses occupying the retail units. Dentist office, insurance office, a Starbucks and a major bank. You’re left with a dead zone. The examples we should try to follow are obvious.

[logan5]

Most businesses like to have a facade that stands out. It’s how they advertise their business. These generic retail units only allow you to have a little sign that is barely noticeable.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by logan5

Creative as in variation in colour and materials instead of a blank glass wall and common canopy. You cannot discern one retail suite from the next. Consequently, you end up with a very small range of businesses occupying the retail units. Dentist office, insurance office, a Starbucks and a major bank. You’re left with a dead zone. The examples we should try to follow are obvious.

Those tenants pay the rent and sign leases. It's usually that simple. It's not the fault of the developer that these businesses see an opportunity with a lack of local CRU space.
This is also a massing model you're looking at. Unless it's in an area plan with design guidelines for commercial and façade details, the buildings will resemble the most efficient design.

[SpongeG]

I can't believe its taken this many years for that area to finally redevelop. SFH in those blocks are such a waste.