ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: July 3, 1998
Author/Local: J. Franko/7102
CC File No.

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Subdivision and Strata Title Coordinator
SUBJECT:	Strata Title Conversion - 2596 Cornwall Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied buildings at 2596 Cornwall Avenue (Amended Lot 1, Block 190, D.L. 526, Plan 1058) 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 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 these previously-occupied buildings substantially comply 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 buildings at 2596 Cornwall Avenue (Amended Lot 1, Block 190, D.L. 526, Plan 1058) to strata title ownership.

BACKGROUND

This site is zoned RT-8 and is developed with a former one-family dwelling, which has undergone extensive interior and exterior alterations to convert it to a two-unit multiple conversion dwelling; and a new infill one-family dwelling. All work has been authorized by Development Permit No. DE402022 and Building Permit Nos. BU406340 and BU406341, all issued in May, 1997. According to the City Building Inspector, construction work on the buildings was completed in the Fall of 1997 while CUPE Local 1004 was on strike, and tenants occupied the units without final inspections being completed and Occupancy Permits being issued.

The applicant proposes to create a total of three strata lots in the two buildings: the principal building would comprise two strata lots, and the infill building would comprise one strata lot. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Condominium Act, Council’s approval is required for both buildings, as they are both currently occupied by tenants. The tenants in both buildings have all indicated their support, in writing, for the conversion. The owner has no immediate plans to sell the units.

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. Since the buildings contain only three residential units in total, the Manager of the Housing Centre has not been asked to comment.

The City Engineer has no dedication or servicing requirements for this site.

The City Building Inspector reports that when all outstanding inspections have been done, and any required work has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and permits, and an Occupancy Permit has been issued, the previously-occupied buildings will substantially comply with the 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