ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: May 27, 1997 Dept. File No. AMH CC File: 5311-1 TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: Director of Land Use and Development SUBJECT: Strata Title Conversion: 73 Water Street RECOMMENDATION THAT the application to convert the building at 73 Water Street (Lot 8 West Half, Block 1, D.L. OGT, Plan 168) 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 upgrading work required by the City Building Inspector, in accordance with any approved plans and permits, and issuance of an Occupancy Permit, all at no cost to the City, 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 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 73 Water Street (Lot 8 West Half, Block 1, D.L. OGT, Plan 168) to strata title ownership. BACKGROUND The site is zoned HA-2 and is developed with a seven-storey plus basement, commercial building, containing office, restaurant and clothing manufacturing (hat making) uses. The building is listed as Category "C" on the Vancouver Heritage Register. According to City records, it was constructed in 1912 as a warehouse for the Prince Rupert Meat Company. It has never been used for habitable accommodation. The applicant proposes to create a total of eight strata lots - one per floor, plus the basement. There are currently four tenant businesses in the building, each of which has been notified of this strata title conversion application. Pursuant to Council's policy with regard to commercial tenants, their comments, in the form of support or opposition to this application, have not been solicited. The location of the site is shown in 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. As this is a commercial building, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not been asked to comment. The City Engineer has no servicing or dedication requirements for this site. The City Building Inspector reports that substantial building, plumbing, electrical and fire/sprinkler upgrading will be required in order for this building to substantially comply with all relevant City by-laws. A Building Permit and related Trades permits will be required for this work. Once the work has been done and an Occupancy Permit has been issued, the building will substantially comply. 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 the application. * * * * *