Vancouver City Council |
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: May 25, 2004
Author/Local: S Hearn/6476
RTS No.04226
CC File No. 2608
Meeting Date: June 8, 2004
TO:
Vancouver City Council
FROM:
Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:
Form of Development: 651 Expo Boulevard
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the form of development for the CD-1 zoned site known as 651 Expo Boulevard be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE407454, prepared by James K.N. Cheng Architects and stamped "City of Vancouver, Community Service Group - Development Services April 28, 2004", provided that the Director of Planning 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 July 25, 2002, City Council approved, along with associated amendments, a rezoning of this site from BCPED to CD-1 Comprehensive Development District. Council also approved in principle the form of development for these lands. CD-1 By-law Number 8587 was enacted on November 7, 2002.
The site is located at the eastern edge of the Downtown neighbourhood at the foot of the escarpment to the False Creek lowlands; generally bounded by Beatty Street, the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts and Expo Boulevard. 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 Development Application Number DE407454. 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
The proposal involves construction of a mixed project consisting of: Expo Boulevard level -a commercial component ("Costco Wholesale" [Costco]) of approximately 144,725 sq. ft. with two levels of underground parking for 680 vehicles; and at Georgia Street and Dunsmuir Street viaduct level - four residential towers (26, 27, 30 and 32 stories in height), and two story townhouses, for a total of 900 dwelling units with two levels of structured parking for 713 vehicles including 23 vehicles associated with the Beatty Street drill Hall. Total parking is for 1,393 stalls.
(Subsequent to the Development Permit Board decision, the Director of Planning approved in increase to tower `B' from 23 stories to 26 stories and tower `D' from 26 to 27 stories. These increased heights were accompanied by requirements to make the towers more slender and ensure an 80 ft. separation to improve livability and neighbourliness. The increased heights are well below the maximum allowed.)
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 DE407454, 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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