The City of Coquitlam is likely to approve an expansion to their Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) program, as a result of several findings by City planning staff since late 2015 when they began exploring the idea of a policy regarding city-wide CACs.

Discussion topics from City staff included:

• Impact on Housing Affordability – it was determined based on previous studies that a new Citywide CAC would not have significant impact on housing affordability
• In-kind Contributions – this will be the standard approach at council’s discretion
• Citywide CAC versus Area-specific CACs – City doesn’t want to have different target rates in different areas thereby creating an uneven playing field for development. CACs are intended to be used in each area.

The new fixed target CAC rates will be as follows:

1. $3.00 per SF for the gross floor area of all new multifamily;
2. $5,500 per parcel for all new one-family residential lots over 375 m2;
3. $4,800 per parcel for all new one-family residential lots under 375 m2.

The new CAC program is set to take effect July 1, 2016, though project applications already in process will be exempt.

A development application has been filed for a site at 928 Commercial Drive, mid-block just South of Venables Street. The plan for the 33 x 121 ft site is to build a new infill building including:

• a 5-storey, mixed use building
• retail on first floor and residential above (2nd to 5th floors)
• 12 rental aparment units
• 3 parking spaces having vehicular access from the lane.

Under the site’s existing C-2C1 zoning, the application is “conditional” so it may be permitted; however, it requires the decision of the Director of Planning.

The architect, Matthew Cheng, explains the design rationale:

Here is a brief update on a project in the West End that was originally envisioned prior to the West End Community Plan having been adopted in 2014.

The project is a partnership between Bosa Properties and Central Presbyterian Church, which used to worship on this property for many years. The property was rezoned in 2014 to allow a new 22-storey building that includes 168 units of market rental apartments and 45 units of non-market rental apartments, as well as retail space, a new church and a preschool.

Excavation was recently completed and a crane is scheduled for installation on June 25th. Completion of the project is scheduled for April 2018.

photo courtesy mcminsen http://po.st/ZegImX via @imageshack

Reliance Properties has acquired a landmark apartment and retail property in the West End for $43,000,000. The building was built in 1958 and includes a 58-unit 16-storey concrete apartment highrise and three retail units including Milestones, and is prominently located at the intersection of Denman and Davie.

The building had been listed for sale by Avison Young without an asking price and sold after receiving multiple offers.

A rezoning application has been made for a 29,102 SF site at 3868 Rupert Street (at East 22nd St) for rezoning to allow rental apartments. The site is currently improved with a grocery store – Chong Lee Market and some retail units along with surface parking.

The proposal calls for rezoning from C-1 to CD-1 to permit the development of 6-storey mixed-use building that includes:

• 112 secured market rental units;
• 78 one-bedrooms, 30 two-bedrooms and 4 three-bedrooms
• 10,856 SF retail uses in six CRUs on the ground floor
• a total density 3.60 FSR
• a building height of six storeys ; and
• 158 underground parking spaces.

The application is being considered under the Affordable Housing Choices Interim Rezoning Policy.

The architect, GBL, describes the application:

“This project will take into account these neighbourhood factors by providing appropriate up to date commercial premises for the existing tenants and providing good quality affordable rental accommodation for the locale. The Renfrew Collingwood area has great community facilities and a number of schools close by. With this in mind, over a quarter of the units will be 2 and 3 bedrooms for families.