Vancouver City Council |
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 24, 2004
Author/Local: S Hearn/6476
RTS No. 04016
CC File No. 2608
Meeting Date: March 9, 2004
TO:
Vancouver City Council
FROM:
Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:
Form of Development: 480 Robson Street
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the form of development for the CD-1 zoned site known as 488 Robson Street (480 Robson being the application address) be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE408066, prepared by Hancock Bruckner Eng & Wright Architects and stamped "Received, Community Services Group, Development Services November 7, 2003", provided that the Director of Planning may impose conditions and 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 the above-noted CD-1 zoned site.
SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
At a Public Hearing on October 23, 2003, City Council approved a rezoning of this site from Downtown District (DD) to Comprehensive Development District (CD-1). Council also approved in principle the form of development for these lands. CD-1 By-law Number 8740 was enacted on November 4, 2003.
The site is located on the south side of Robson Street immediately east of Richards Street. The site and surrounding zoning are shown on the attached Appendix _A_.
Subsequent to Council's approval of the CD-1 rezoning, the Director of Planning approved Development Application Number DE408066. 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 issuances.
DISCUSSION
The total proposal involves adding two typical tower floors, totalling 10,500 sq. ft., to the building approved by the Development Permit Board under DE407615. (When DE407615 was approved, the site was zoned DD and did not require Council approval of the form of development.) The completed building will be 19 stories, mixed use, consisting of commercial and amenity space on the first three floors, a mixture of commercial and residential on the forth floor and residential on the remaining floor. Included is a 5-level underground parking structure accommodating 137 vehicles and 3 loading spaces all having access from the flanking lane.
The proposed development has been assessed against the CD-1 By-law 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 Director of Planning has approved Development Application Number DE408066, 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.
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