A development application has been submitted for a standard 33′ x 122′ lot on East 17th Avenue just East of Main Street. The site at 222 East 17th Ave is one of only a handful along the Main Street corridor with C-2 zoning despite being located off of Main Street and across an alley on a side street.

The lot is currently improved with an older single family dwelling.

Details for the redevelopment of the lot include:

• a new 4-storey mixed-use building;
• general office use on the main floor floor);
• 5 residential units on floors 2-4;
• a density of 2.50 FSR;
• a proposed height of 45.28 ft.;
• a total of 5 parking spaces having vehicular access from lane.

The application describes the design rationale and some of the challenges with the lot size: “For levels 2 and 3, the two dwelling units are separated by the circulation area (e.g. elevator, corridor, stairwell) that eats up most of the mid-section of the floor plan. This leaves us with a narrow strip of space that is particularly difficult to design without sacrificing over-all function and livability of each unit. By extending the maximum allowed limit of 50% Site depth (Section 4.5 of C2 Guidelines) to 60% we can better manage the use of space and make a more suitable design that is both livable and efficient. We are asking for a relaxation on the L2-L4 East side yard depth from 50% max. allowed to 60%.”

The architect for the project is Matthew Cheng Architect Inc.

The full application can be viewed here: https://development.vancouver.ca/pc222e17/index.htm

Wesbild Holdings Ltd. has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to subdivide and develop a portion of a 5.0 acre site at 8188-8232 Manitoba Street, just South of Marine Drive.

The zoning for the site is I-2 which permits a density up to 3.0 FSR for a mix of industrial and office uses.

The proposed development would sit on a 3.2 acre parcel and will include two unique 6-storey industrial/office buildings. Details include:

• 231,000 SF of industrial space on levels 1-4;
• 108,235 SF of office space on levels 5-6;
• a total density of 2.42 FSR;
• a building height of 93 ft.;
• 439 parking stalls on one level of underground parking and at grade.

To accommodate mid-floor industrial tenants, the building will feature a number of unique building elements, including:

• Increased underground parking clearance height;
• Exterior corridors on all floors & separation of freight & pedestrian traffic;
• Cross Laminated Timber construction for the office space.

The application also notes that most of the potential mid-floor industrial tenants would be conditional approval uses under the I-2 zoning and that flexibility may be required in order to make the project work.

The architect for the project is MGBA Architecture.

The full development application can be viewed here: https://development.vancouver.ca/pc8188manitoba/index.htm

Value Group has submitted their rezoning application for a 16,136 SF site that they own at 24 E Broadway & 2520 Ontario Street; at the Southeast corner of the intersection.

The site is currently zoned C-3A. The rezoning proposal would allow for a 12-storey office building at over twice the density permitted in the current zone. The proposal includes:

• 20,284 SF of retail space;
• 104,755 SF of office space;
• Building height of 148 ft.;
• A total density of 7.75 FSR;
• 6 levels of underground parking, including 230 vehicle parking and 68 bicycle parking.

The application describes the design rationale: “The proposed project is a 12-storey mixed use retail/office building. The ground floor along Broadway is fronted by retail space that reinforces a scale of walking, and shopping with continuous weather protection.

There is also below-grade and above-grade retail space connected to the ground floor by stairs, an elevator, and floor openings to create visual connection with the street and the other levels of retail. On the west of the site, the ground floor is pulled back to allow a seating plaza adjoining a proposed cafe. An on-site public bike share along the Ontario Greenway adds bike capacity adjacent to the Ontario street bike path and pedestrian interest to the corner plaza.

Above the retail base, floors of office are grouped into three distinct ‘blocks’. The lower two blocks are large floor-plate offices which form a podium; rising no taller than eight floors thus avoiding shadowing of the north sidewalk of Broadway from spring to fall equinoxes. Atop the podium, a shared amenity rooftop is open to the building’s office users, and serves as an on-site gym and end-of-trip facilities. Five upper floors of office tower rise above the planted amenity deck.”

This application is being considered under the Metro Core Jobs and Economy Land Use Plan.

The architect for the project is Formosis Architecture.

Value Group acquired the site in 2017 for $13,250,000, or $106 per buildable SF based on the application. The site is currently improved with an older 3-storey office/retail building.