SIGNIFICANT REZONING APPLICATIONS

1. Address: 801 West Georgia Street (Hotel Georgia) Present Zone: DD (Area A)

Applicant: Bing Thom Architects Inc. Proposed Zone: CD-1

Application Date: January 23, 2002 (revised) Heritage: "A" (M)

Staff Contact: Phil Mondor, Gerry McGeough, Ralph Segal, Leigh Gayman

Proposal:
· demolish parking garage next to existing heritage building and develop 50-storey Hotel-Residential tower (29 floors of residential);

· rezoning required for proposed change from commercial to residential use in CBD, and based on additional heritage retention effort (earlier delivery of heritage-sensitive seismic upgrading);

· increase maximum floor space ratio (FSR) from 16.41 (previously approved DE and HRA) to 18.0, with residential use limited to 6.9 FSR, which maintains 11.1 FSR for commercial uses;

· increase in maximum FSR obtained through a new heritage density bonus for earlier seismic upgrade, and the purchase and transfer of heritage density from the "density bank";

· additional FSR will be used for above-grade parking (necessary because of higher parking requirement for residential use, and smaller parking relaxation requested than previously approved);

· some hotel parking relaxation is requested, from 179 to 153 spaces, and an increased ratio of small car spaces in the 188 residential parking spaces. As in previous DE, it is also proposed to extend underground parking below the City lane; and

· building height of 141.7 m (465 ft.) is proposed (for habitable space), with architectural appurtenance to 154.4 m (506.6 ft.), wholly within view corridor maximums.

Applicable Policies:

· CBD Policies regarding rezoning for Residential Use

· DD ODP and Design Guidelines

· Central Area Plan (1. Office Policy)

· Heritage Policies and Guidelines

· Transfer of Density Policy and Procedure

· General Policy for Higher Buildings

Issues:

· appropriateness and livability of residential use in CDB;

· proposed building height exceeding maximum of 137 m (450 ft.);

· design of above-grade parking;

· proposed parking below City lane.

Method of Public Notification:

· Customary information sign and notification letter (January 28, 2002)

· Consultation with downtown business groups

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