Vancouver City Council

ITEM NO. 1
P&E COMMITTEE AGENDA
RTS #3532
MEETING DATE: JULY 31, 2003

SIGNIFICANT NEW REZONING APPLICATION

Address: 325 West 59th Avenue Present Zone: CD-1
Applicant: Dale Staples, Integra Architecture Proposed Zone: CD-1 (amend.)
Date of Previous Inquiry: January 29, 2002
Date of Application: July 2, 2003
Staff Contact: Dave Thomsett, Eric Fiss

Proposal:

· To amend the CD-1 zoning that permits SNRF - Community Care - Class B @ 1.0 FSR.
· To permit, @1.0 FSR, 43 dwelling units with 89 underground parking spaces in three-storey row house clusters with pitched roofs.
· Some trees are retained at the north part of the site.
· Access off Columbia Street.
· Fire access by widening the forest trail along unopened 58^th Avenue.

Applicable Policy:

· Site is west of Sunset Vision and east of Oakridge/Langara Policy Statement. No Vision work is planned in this area.
· No policy to retain opportunities for seniors care facilities.
· 59th Avenue Greenway - higher-quality sidewalk improvements

Issues:

· Density - should not assume 1.0 FSR even though this is permitted for SNRF use.
· A more innovative approach in housing types and massing may be needed to achieve this density while helping to retain the natural features of the site including specimen trees worth saving, the historical steam bed depression, the relationship with the public park trail and the gentle slope of the site.
· Use and design of the park trail within the unopened 58th Avenue ROW for fire truck access.

CAC Implications:

· None. No density increase.

Recommended Response:

· Process in the normal manner.
· Carefully review the arborist's report to determine if other trees should be saved.
· Look to the Urban Design Panel for advice on siting and massing in relation to natural features.
· Look to the Park Board for advice on the fire access design to maintain the park trail ambience.

Method Of Public Notification:

· Normal approx. 2-block radius.

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