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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: November 8, 1996
Dept. File No. AMH
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT: Strata Title Conversion - 1208 Homer Street
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied building at
1208 Homer Street (Lot 11, Block 76, D.L. 541, Plan 3469) 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 this approval:
Completion of all work now underway, to the satisfaction of
the City Building Inspector and in accordance with the
approved plans and permits, and issuance of an Occupancy
Permit, all at no cost to the City, in order that this
building substantially complies with all relevant City
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 that Council will consider
when 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 1208 Homer Street (Lot 11, Block 76,
D.L. 541, Plan 3469) to strata title ownership.
BACKGROUND
The site is zoned HA-3 and is developed with a municipally designated
heritage building (known as the Gray Block or the Murchie's Building),
built circa 1912, which is listed as category 'B' on the Vancouver
Heritage Register.
Pursuant to Development Permit No. DE400266 and Building Permit No.
BU402860, this six-storey building is undergoing extensive alterations
to provide retail use on the basement and first floor and a total of 59
residential units on the second through sixth floors.
Council considered and approved the floor space relaxation required to
achieve the renovation of the building in May 1996, when heritage
designation was also considered.
The applicant proposes to create a total of 78 strata lots, being 59
residential strata lots and 19 retail strata lots. The underground
parking which serves the building will be designated as "Common
Property" on the strata plan.
Prior to commencement of the renovation work, this building was used by
the Murchie's Tea and Coffee Company for predominantly warehouse use.
It has never been used as habitable accommodation.
The location of the site is shown on Figure No. 1, below.
Figure No. 1
STAFF ANALYSIS
In addition to Planning Department staff, the City Engineer and the City
Building Inspector have reviewed this application. Given the nature of
the past use of the building, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not
been asked to comment.
The City Engineer reports that there are no dedication or servicing
requirements for this site. The City Engineer advises, however, that
existing cornices on two sides of the building extend over Hamilton and
Davie Streets, respectively. Registration of a volumetric easement to
contain the encroachments will be required prior to the strata plan
being registered in the Land Title Office. This requirement will be
addressed in a subsequent report to Council from the City Engineer. The
City Engineer has indicated support for the volumetric easement.
The City Building Inspector reports that once all work currently
underway has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and
permits, and once an Occupancy Permit has been issued, this 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.
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