ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

	Date: December 1, 1997
	Author/Local: GLougheed/7721
	CC File No. 5311

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT:	Strata Title Conversion - 720 Jervis Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied building at 720 Jervis Street (Lot H, Block 31, D.L. 185, Plan LMP26341) 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 required by the City Building Inspector, under the required 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 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 720 Jervis Street (Lot H, Block 31, D.L.158, Plan LMP26341) to strata title ownership.

BACKGROUND

The site is zoned CD-1 and is developed with a municipally designated heritage building (known as the "Abbott House"), built in 1897-98, which is listed as category "A" on the Vancouver Heritage Register. The site is also being developed with two 35-storey residential towers containing 471 dwelling units, with a two- and three-storey base joining the two towers containing 17 townhouse dwelling units.

The applicant proposes to create a total of 493 residential strata lots. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Condominium Act, Council approval is required only as it relates to the five strata lots proposed in the "previously-occupied" heritage building.

Pursuant to Development Permit No. DE400433 and Building Permit Nos. BU401704 and BU402221, the two and one-half storey multiple conversion dwelling is undergoing extensive renovations and alterations to provide for five dwelling units. City records indicate the building has been used as an 11-unit apartment building since the mid 1950s.

The current owners took possession of this property in December, 1992. In accordance with the Residential Tenancy Act, permits were obtained prior to issuance of notices of end of tenancy agreement. There is no evidence to indicate that tenants were treated unfairly. The building has been vacant since March, 1996.

Council approved the form of development and enacted the CD-1 By-law for the site in January, 1996, when heritage designation was also considered and conferred.

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 heritage building contains only five dwelling units, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not been asked to comment.

The City Engineer has no dedication or servicing requirements.

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