ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                           Date: April 1, 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: 289 Alexander Street
             D.E. 401986 - CD-1 By-law Number 7652
             Owner of Development: Pemcor Development Corporation


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT  the approved form of development for the CD-1 zoned site
        known as 245 Alexander Street (289 Alexander Street being the
        application address) be generally approved as illustrated in
        Development Application Number DE401986, prepared by Soren
        Rasmussen Architects and stamped "Received, City Planning
        Department, December 19, 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 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 final form of development for the above-noted CD-1
   zoned site.

   SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

   Following a Public Hearing on August 1, 1996, City Council approved a
   rezoning of this site from M-2 Industrial District to Comprehensive
   Development District.  Council also approved in principle the form of
   development for these lands.  CD-1 By-law Number 7652 was enacted on
   November 5, 1996.

   The site is located on the northwest corner of Alexander Street and Gore
   Avenue.  The site and surrounding zoning are shown on the attached
   Appendix 'A'.

   The Director of Planning has recently approved Development Application
   Number DE401986.  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 the construction of a mixed-use complex consisting
   of a six-storey principal building and a one-storey amenity building. 
   The principal building will consist of industrial, retail and service
   uses on the ground floor and a total of 150 Artist Live/Work studios on
   the upper floors (22 of which will be assured affordable rental studios
   for low-income working artists).

   Simplified plans, including a site plan and elevations of the proposal,
   have been included in Appendix 'B'.

   CONCLUSION

   The Director of Planning has approved Development Application Number
   DE401986, 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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