ADMINISTRATION REPORT

	Date: December 29, 1997
	Author/Local: GLougheed/7721
	CC File No. 5311

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT:	Strata Title Conversion - 869-871 Beatty Street

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RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied building at 869-871 Beatty Street (Lot B, Block 68, D.L. 541, Plan VAP23202) 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 now underway, to the satisfaction of the City Building Inspector and in accordance with the approved plans and 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 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 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 869-871 Beatty Street (Lot B, Block 68, D.L. 541, Plan VAP23202) to strata title ownership.

BACKGROUND

The site is zoned DD and is developed with a three-storey building, formerly used as a storage warehouse with a cabaret on the first floor. The building is listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register as a category ‘C’ heritage building.

Pursuant to Development Permit No. DE401419 and Building Permit Nos. BU404758 and BU405522, the building is undergoing extensive interior and exterior alterations and additions, including the addition of a fourth floor. The Development Permit includes a change of use to provide a neighbourhood pub and restaurant on the first floor, and twenty-one Class "B" artist live/work studios with associated dwelling units on the second to fourth floors. The owner intends to create a total of 21 residential strata lots and 1 commercial strata lot.

There is no record to indicate that the building has ever been used for residential accommodation.

The site location is shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1

STAFF ANALYSIS

In addition to Planning Department staff, the City Engineer and the City Building Inspector have reviewed this application. As the building has never contained residential accommodation, 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. However, following completion of exterior restorations, the building’s cornices will encroach onto Beatty Street. As a result, the City Engineer advises that 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 easements.

The City Building Inspector reports that when all work has been completed in accordance with 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.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver