ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: November 6, 2001
Author/Local:/ B.Boons/7678

RTS No.02381

CC File No. 2604

Council: November 20, 2001

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Form of Development: 1281 West Cordova Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the form of development for this portion (Tower 2A) of the CD-1 zoned site known as 501 Bute Street (1281 West Cordova Street being the application address) be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE404757, prepared by Hancock Bruckner Eng & Wright, Architects and stamped "Received, City Planning Department , July 31, 2001", provided that the Director of Planning may approve design changes which would not adversely affect either the development character of this site or adjacent properties.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

There is no applicable Council policy except that Council did approve in principle the form of development for this site when the rezoning was approved, following a Public Hearing.

PURPOSE

In accordance with Charter requirements, this report seeks Council's approval for the form of development for this portion of the above-noted CD-1 zoned site.
SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

At a Public Hearing on June 29, 1995, City Council approved a rezoning of this site from CWD (Central Waterfront District) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development District). Council also approved in principle the form of development for these lands. CD-1 By-law Number 7681 was enacted on November 26, 1996. Companion Guidelines (Harbour Green Neighbourhood [501 Bute Street] CD-1 Guidelines) were also adopted by Council at that time.

At a Public Hearing on May 28, 1998, Council approved amendments to increase the floor area permitted for retail and service uses, and exclude accessory uses to park use from floor area calculation. These amendments (By-laws Numbered 7922 and 7923) were enacted on July 21, 1998.

At a Public Hearing on January 25, 2001, Council approved amendments to reduce the number of non-market housing units and increase the maximum residential floor area permitted. This amendment (By-law Number 8312) was enacted on March 13, 2001.

The site is located on the north side of West Cordova Street between Jervis Street and Bute Street. The site and surrounding zoning are shown on the attached Appendix _A_.

Subsequent to Council's approval of the CD-1 rezoning, the Development Permit Board approved "in principle" Development Application Number DE404441, for Sites 2A and 2B respectively, subject to various conditions to be satisfied prior to the submission of Complete Development Applications. The Complete Development Application for Site 2B was approved on October 30, 2000, and on December 12, 2000, City Council approved the Form of Development for the tower on Site 2B. That project is currently under construction.

On October 29, 2001, the Development Permit Board approved the Complete Development Application for Site 2A, under DE404757, subject to various conditions, including Council's approval of the form of development. The latter condition is one of the few outstanding prior to permit issuance.

DISCUSSION

This CD-1 District consists of four sub-areas. The proposal (Phase One - Tower 2A) involves the construction of a 35-storey residential tower with 127 residential units including 16 grade-level townhouses. The project includes residential amenity space and three levels of underground parking providing a total of 293 parking spaces.

The proposed development has been assessed against the CD-1 By-law and Council-approved guidelines and responds to the stated objectives.

Simplified plans, including a site plan and elevations of the proposal, have been included in Appendix _B_.

CONCLUSION

The Development Permit Board has approved Development Application Number DE404757, subject to various conditions to be met prior to the issuance of the development permit. One of these conditions is that the form of development first be approved by Council.

Link to Appendices A and B.

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