ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: October 28, 2004
Author/Local: GLougheed/7721
RTS No. 04609
CC File No. 5311
Meeting Date: November 16, 2004
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
Subdivision Approving Officer |
SUBJECT: |
Strata Title Conversion - 1526 Arbutus Street |
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the application to convert the previously occupied building at 1526 Arbutus Street (Lot 1, Except the South 2 Feet Now Lane, Block 195, D.L. 526, Plan 1123) to strata title ownership be approved in principle, but that pursuant to Section 242(3) of the Strata Property Act, the Certificate of Approval (Form T) shall not be issued unless the following conditions have been met within one year of the date of this approval:
i) Completion of all work under the necessary permits, at no cost to the City and to the satisfaction of the City Building Inspector, in order for the building to substantially comply with all relevant By-laws.
ii) Dedication of the north 2.134 m (7.00 ft.) of the site to the City for "road" purposes.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council policy is reflected in the City's Strata Title and Cooperative Conversion Guidelines, which outline factors which Council will consider in reviewing applicationsfor converting previously occupied buildings to strata title or cooperative ownership. Council approval is required specifically for all residential buildings containing six dwelling units or more.
PURPOSE
Council approval is required for an application to convert the previously occupied building at 1526 Arbutus Street (Lot 1, Except the South 2 Feet Now Lane, Block 195, D.L. 526, Plan 1123) to strata title ownership. A total of ten residential strata lots are proposed.
BACKGROUND
The site is zoned RM-4 and contains a three storey multiple dwelling building constructed in 1949. The location of the site is shown below.
The building is owned by a limited company (Glenhaven Apartments Ltd.) and each dwelling unit is assigned to a shareholder (co-owner). There are no rental tenants in the building and each co-owner intends to continue to occupy their units if this conversion to strata title is approved. The co-owners unanimously support this application to convert to strata title ownership, which they are pursuing on the basis of the future marketability of strata versus cooperative units.
STAFF ANALYSIS
In addition to Development Services, the City Engineer and the City Building Inspector have reviewed this application.
The City Engineer has no servicing requirements for this site, but has recommended that the north 7 feet of the site be dedicated to the City for "road" purposes, to conform with an established widening line for Cornwall Avenue. The City Building Inspector reports that upgrading to the building under the various trades (building, fire, plumbing and electrical) will be required in order for the previously-occupied building to substantially comply with all relevant City By-laws.
As the building is cooperatively owned and occupied by the owners, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not been asked to comment on this application.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, and on the applicant's compliance with the City's Strata Title and Cooperative Conversion Guidelines, the Subdivision Approving Officer supports this application.
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