ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: October 19, 1999
Author/Local: A. Higginson/7556
RTS No. 01074
CC File No. 5311

Council: November 2, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Subdivision and Strata Title Coordinator
SUBJECT:	Strata Title Conversion - 2496 West 5th Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied building at 2496 West 5th Avenue (Lot E, Block 261, D.L. 526, Plan LMP41198) 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 in accordance with the approved plans and permits, and issuance of an Occupancy Permit, all at no cost to the City and to the satisfaction of the City Building Inspector, 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 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 2496 West 5^th Avenue (Lot E, Block 261, D.L. 526, Plan LMP41198) to strata title ownership.

BACKGROUND

The site is zoned RT-8 and is developed with a building, formerly known as the “Gospel Greeting Hall”, which is listed as category “C” on the Vancouver Heritage Register. The building was constructed in 1928. The location of the site is shown in Figure 1, below.

Figure 1

Pursuant to Development Permit No. DE403718 and Building Permit No. BU411740, issued earlier this year, the former church is undergoing extensive renovations and alterations to convert it to a three-storey multiple conversion dwelling containing four dwelling units. The applicant proposes to create a total of four strata lots.

The current owner took “vacant possession” of the property following the relocation of the church congregation. There is no record of the building being used as residential rental accommodation and the building has remained vacant during the course of the renovations.

STAFF ANALYSIS

In addition to Planning Department staff, the City Engineer and the City Building Inspector have reviewed this application. As this conversion involves a non-residential 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 when all work presently underway has been completed in accordance with the 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 Subdivision and Strata Title Coordinator supports this application.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver