Vancouver City Council |
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 5, 2004
Author/Local: S Hearn/6476
RTS No. 04405
CC File No. 2606
Meeting Date: July 20, 2004
TO:
Vancouver City Council
FROM:
Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:
Form of Development: 687 Howe Street
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the form of development for this portion of the CD-1 zoned site known as 801 West Georgia Street (687 Howe Street being the application address) be approved generally as illustrated in the Development Application Number DE407114, prepared by Bing Thom Architects and stamped "City of Vancouver, Community Service Group - Development Services December 24, 2003", 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 June 13, 2002, City Council approved a rezoning of this site from Downtown District to CD-1 Comprehensive Development District. Council also approved in principle the form of development for these lands. CD-1 By-law Number 8536 was enacted on July 30, 2002.
At a January 29, 2003, Public Hearing, Council approved two amendments to CD-1 By-law No. 8536. On February 29, 2003, By-law No. 8627 was enacted allowing approval of the automated (robotic) parking, clarification of the floor area requirements and an increase of the allowable building height to 155.9 metres. At the same meeting By-law No. 8628 was enacted allowing greater flexibility for height exclusions of architectural appurtenances.
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 DE407114. 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 50-storey mixed-use hotel/multiple dwelling, containing 97 hotel units and 204 dwelling units and six levels of above grade automated parking accessed off Howe Street, all atop seven levels of underground parking, accessed off the rear lane, providing 162 residential parking spaces and 195 commercial parking spaces, for a total of 357 parking spaces.
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".
CONCLUSIONThe Development Permit Board has approved Development Application Number DE407114, 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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