ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: July 12,1999
Author/Local: G. Lougheed/7721
RTS No. 888
CC File No. 5311

Council: July 27, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Subdivision and Strata Title Coordinator
SUBJECT:	Strata Title Conversion - 2150 and 2158 Cypress Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application to convert the previously-occupied buildings at 2150 and 2158 Cypress Street (Parcel E, Block 267, D.L. 526, Plan LMP41095) 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, and issuance of Occupancy Permits, all at no cost to the City, in order that these buildings will 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 that Council will consider when 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 2150 and 2158 Cypress Street (Parcel E, Block 267, D.L. 526, Plan LMP41095) to strata title ownership.

BACKGROUND

The site is zoned RM-4 and contains two buildings, built circa 1906, which are listed as Category `B' on the Vancouver Heritage Register. The location of the site is shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Relocation and restoration of the two heritage buildings is part of a comprehensive redevelopment of this site. Pursuant to Development Permit No. DE403696, Lot E will also be developed with two four-storey multiple dwelling buildings, constructed over a single level of underground parking. The heritage building at 2150 Cypress Street, formerly located on the east portion of the site and addressed as 1850 West 5th Avenue, has been relocated to the southwest corner of Lot E and is being restored and will remain in use as a one-family dwelling, pursuant to Building Permit No. BU412329. The heritage building at 2158 Cypress Street, formerly addressed as 2132 Cypress Street, was moved slightly to the south to accommodate the relocation of the first heritage building. The second heritage building, 2158 Cypress Street, will be converted from a one-family dwelling to a three-unit multiple conversion dwelling, pursuant to Building Permit No. BU412330.

The owner proposes to create a total of 90 strata lots on the site. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Condominium Act, Council's approval is required only as it relates to the four strata lots proposed in the "previously-occupied" heritage buildings.

When the individual parcels that now comprise Lot E were purchased by the present owner in July, 1998, and prior to its relocation, the building formerly addressed as 1850 West 5th Avenue was vacant. The building formerly addressed as 2132 Cypress Street was tenanted at that time as a one-family dwelling, but the tenant voluntarily entered into an agreement with the owner to end their tenancy, after being informed of the owner's intent to redevelop and then strata title the property. The tenant vacated the building in January, 1999, and it has remained vacant since then.

STAFF ANALYSIS

In addition to Planning Department staff, the City Engineer and the City Building Inspector have reviewed this application. Given that the heritage buildings contain only four dwellings units, 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.

The City Building Inspector reports that when all of the renovation and restoration work has been completed to the two heritage buildings, in accordance with the approved plans and permits, and Occupancy Permits have been issued, these previously-occupied buildings 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