ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 12, 2002
Author/Local: J. Baxter/6656
RTS No. 02586
CC File No. 2604
Council: March 26, 2002

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Form of Development: 1077 West Cordova Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the form of development for the CD-1 zoned site known as 201 Burrard Street (1077 West Cordova Street being the application address) be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE406001, prepared by James Cheng Architects Inc. and stamped "Received, Community Services, Development Services February 6, 2002", 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 Vancouver 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

The site, known as Parcel 2B, is located on the western half of the to-be-created block bounded by the future viaduct extensions of Cordova and Thurlow Streets, and the existing Burrard Street Viaduct. The site and surrounding zoning are shown on the attached Appendix  _A_.

At a Public Hearing on September 15, 1994, 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 7679 was enacted on November 26, 1996. Companion Guidelines [Burrard Landing (201 Burrard Street)] were also adopted by Council at that time.

At a subsequent Public Hearing on April 10, 2001 Council approved an amendment to increase the height for development on Parcel 2B from 92 metres (301.8 feet) to 137 metres (449.5 feet) and allow hotel and live/work as conditional uses. This amendment (CD-1 By-law Number 8409) was enacted on December 4, 2001.

The Burrard Landing CD-1 Guidelines, as they apply to the Parcel 2B site describe a highly specific form of development for a particular prime office tenant (Shaw Communications) and a live-work market. Critical to the approval is the need for the north edge of the parcel 2B to respond positively in urban design terms to two future conditions; an extended future Canada Place Viaduct if the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre (VCEC) goes forward, or if the VCEC proposal did not proceed. The proposed form of development responds to both of these conditions.

Subsequent to Council's approval of the CD-1 rezoning, the Development Permit Board approved Development Application Number DE406001. This approval was 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 4 sub-areas. The proposal (Sub-area 1, Parcel 2B) involves
the construction of a 40-storey, mixed-use high rise tower containing retail, office live/work (129 units) and child care uses with 5 levels of underground parking providing 584 parking spaces, with vehicular access from Cordova Street and Waterfront Road.

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 DE406001, 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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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver