ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: July 9, 1996 Dept. File No. GL TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: Director of Land Use and Development SUBJECT: Strata Title Conversion - 172 West 14th Avenue RECOMMENDATION THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied building at 172 West 14th Avenue (Lot 1, Block U, D.L. 526, Plan 1530) to strata title ownership be approved in principle, but that pursuant to Section 9(1) of the Condominium Act, the Certificate of Approval (Form 10) shall not be issued unless the following condition has been met within one year of the date of this approval: Completion of all work required by the City Building Inspector, under the required permits, at no cost to the City, and issuance of an Occupancy Permit, in order that this previously-occupied building substantially complies with all relevant by-laws. 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 applications for converting previously-occupied buildings to strata title or cooperative ownership. PURPOSE Council approval is required for an application to convert the previously-occupied building at 172 West 14th Avenue (Lot 1, Block U, D.L. 526, Plan 1530) to strata title ownership. BACKGROUND The site is zoned RT-6 and is developed with a one and one-half storey multiple conversion dwelling containing three residential units and a newly constructed infill one-family dwelling. Construction on both buildings is nearing completion. The previously-occupied building on site has been altered and converted from a two-unit multiple conversion dwelling pursuant to Development Permit No. DE217658 and Building Permit No. BU400730. The new infill one-family dwelling is being constructed pursuant to Building Permit No. BU400731. The applicant proposes to create a total of 4 strata lots in the two buildings. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Condominium Act, Council's approval is required as it relates to the previously-occupied building only. The current owner took vacant possession of this property in May, 1995. Since then the property has remained vacant while undergoing alterations. The applicant has indicated that the building was owner-occupied by a single family prior to the change of ownership. City records indicate that the previous approved use of this building was as a "duplex". While an assumption may be made that rental tenants could have occupied one or both units at some time, there is no indication of when or if this was the case. The site location is shown below in Figure l. Figure 1 In addition to Planning Department staff, the City Engineer and the City Building Inspector have reviewed this application. Given the nature of this application, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not been asked to comment. The City Engineer has no dedication or servicing requirements for this site. The City Building Inspector reports that when all work has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and permits, and an Occupancy Permit has been issued, the previously-occupied building will substantially comply with all relevant City by-laws. CONCLUSION Based on the foregoing, and on the applicant's compliance with the City's Strata Title and Cooperative Conversion Guidelines, the Director of Land Use and Development supports this application. * * * * *