A7
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: March 11, 1997
Dept. File No. WB
C.C. File: 2604-1
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT: Form of Development - 4255 Arbutus Street
D.E. 401339 - CD-1 By-law Number 4634
(Amending By-law Number 6955)
Owner of Development: Maple Leaf Holdings Ltd.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the revised form of development for this portion of the CD-1
zoned site known as Arbutus Village be generally approved as
illustrated in Development Application Number DE401339, prepared by
B. James Wensley, Architect and stamped "Received, City Planning
Department", December 6, 1996, provided that the Director of
Planning may 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
the original 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 a revised form of development for this portion of the
above-noted CD-1 zoned site.
SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
Following a Public Hearing on July 18, 1972, City Council approved a
rezoning of this site from One-Family Dwelling District to Comprehensive
Development District. CD-1 By-law Number 4634 was enacted on August 1,
1972. Following a subsequent Public Hearing on October 24, 1991, City
Council approved a text amendment to the CD-1 By-law permitting a full
range of child care uses and allowing for the enclosure of a portion of
the lower mall area in the northwest corner. On March 24, 1992 the
amending CD-1 By-law (#6955) was enacted. On March 31, 1992,
Development Permit Number DE213692 was issued permitting the enclosure
of a portion of the lower level and including improved access to the
recreation centre and upgrading of the lighting in the lower mall level.
This work was never completed and the permit has now expired.
The site and surrounding zoning are shown on the attached Appendix 'A'.
DISCUSSION
Development Application Number DE401339 has now been approved to provide
for a new child daycare facility in the northwest portion of the lower
level. This approval is subject to various conditions, including
Council's approval of the revised form of development. The latter
condition is one of the few outstanding prior to permit issuance.
Alterations include new windows and doors on the north and west sides of
the building and changes to the landscaping to provide for a new outdoor
play area adjacent to the facility. The area which was to have been
enclosed under Development Permit Number DE213692 will form part of the
outdoor activity area and the entire outdoor area will be surrounded by
a 4.0 foot high fence.
At the Public Hearing in 1991, staff were concerned about the possible
impact of an outdoor activity area on the nearby residents, many of whom
are seniors.
It was recommended that the child daycare facility be limited to "Child
Minding" and "Pre-School" as these uses do not require outdoor activity
space and it was felt they would have less of an impact on the
residential neighbours. However, Council approved a "full range" of
daycare uses and noted that neighbours concerns would be addressed when
the final form of development was considered.
Planning staff have received a total of 127 letters from nearby
residents expressing concerns about the location and noise impact of the
proposed daycare facility, especially with regard to the outdoor
activity area.
The applicant has indicated that the outdoor activity area will only be
used during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00
p.m., Monday to Friday.
The CD-1 By-law does permit daycare uses and the plans have been
reviewed by staff in the Social Planning Department and found to meet
the intent of the Childcare Design Guidelines, adopted by City Council.
Simplified plans, including a site plan, elevations and landscape plan
have been included in Appendix 'B'.
Appendix 'C' depicts the existing elevations and landscape plan.
Appendix 'D' contains details on the proposed facility as supplied by
the applicant.
CONCLUSION
The Director of Planning has approved Development Application Number
DE401339, subject to various conditions to be met prior to the issuance
of the development permit. One of these conditions is that the revised
form of development first be approved by Council.
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