Polygon Homes, who successfully bid for a full city block on West Esplanade from the City of Vancouver last year, is looking for an OCP amendment to allow a highrise. Two development options presented to council for the 2.24 acre property  at 255 W. 1st Street include a mix of residential and commercial uses to a density of 2.6 FAR.

Option 1 includes a Concept a 5-storey built form with commercial uses accessible from W. Esplanade and residential uses above. Development is divided into two buildings. The larger building is “U” shaped with the opening facing south to maximize on harbour/city views as well as light exposure. The second building runs parallel to Mahon Avenue.

Option 2 proposes a 7 storey building on the western edge of the site running parallel to Mahon Avenue, terracing gradually down to a 4 storey street wall against W. Esplanade. A separate 16 storey tower is proposed in the southeast corner of the site containing the rest of the residential density. Because the existing OCP only allows 6-storeys, this option would require an OCP amendment;  however, it is supported by the City.

Morguard has applied to the City of Vancouver to amend the existing CD-1 for their property 601 West Hastings Street (also referred to as 333 Seymour Street) to retain the existing office tower, and build a 25-storey office building with:

• A total floor area of 227,700 SF
• 3,627 sq. ft. of ground level retail space
• a public plaza
• a density of 24.34 FSR
• a proposed height of 357 ft
• 102 parking spaces and 78 bicycle parking spaces in 5 levels of underground parking

Several rezoning projects are headed to council next week in anticipation of public hearing:

1. 33-49 East Hastings St.

• Atira Housing Society is proposing to rezone for four lots from DEOD to CD to increase the permitted density from 5.00 to 8.28 FSR and building height from 98 feet to 127 feet to allow construction of a mixed-use building with commercial use at grade and in the mezzanine, and with 12 storeys of residential use above. It includes 102 units of social/supportive housing and 67 units of  market housing secured as rental for 15 years.

2. 1412-1480 Howe Street

• Westbank Projects is proposing to rezone several lots on Howe Street for a 52-storey (497 ft.) residential tower with 407 residential units and a 10-storey podium containing retail and 95 residential units (market rental). Lots on Granville and Pacific Street will include 6-storey buildings providing retail and office uses. The total density is 5.08 FSR.

3. 4412-4488 Cambie Street

• Dava Developments Ltd. is rezoning 4412-4488 Cambie Street from RS-1 to CD-1 under the Cambie Corridor Plan. The proposal is for a 6-storey residential development containing a total of 102 residential units (19 townhouses and 83 apartments), with a density 2.60 FSR, and 113 parking spaces. The CAC is fixed at $55.00 per SF of net increase in density.

4. 2290 Main Street

• The proposed rezoning for 2290 Main Street from IC-2 to CD-1 anticipates a 9-storey mixed-use building with 89 residential units. The proposal includes a density of 4.92 FSR, and a total height of 99 feet. The proposed project is supportable under the Mt. Pleasant Community Plan. The CAC proposed is $35.40 per SF.

5. 1526-1560 Kingsway

• The owners of these lots are proposing to rezone from the existing C-2 zoning (2.5 FSR) to CD-1 to permit the development of a six-storey mixed-use building containing 77 units of market rental housing with commercial retail use at grade. The proposed density is 3.85 FSR. The application is consistent with Council’s Secured Market Rental Housing Policy (Rental 100).