BLDG Development (W. Laidler Sales Corporation) has submitted a revised application to the City of Port Moody for a site first pitched for a rental project in August 2019.

The 18,000 SF site is located at 148-154 James Road, just East of Moody Middle School. The 2019 proposal was for a 6-storey rental and condo building with 64 conventionally sized units and a density of 3.14 FAR.

The modified application would keep the 6-storey building form, but would include the following:

• 114 units (92 strata, 22 rental);
• 66 studios, 43 one-bedroom units & 5 two-bedroom units;
• Average units sizes of 359 SF for studios, 472 SF for one-bedrooms;
• a reduced total density of 3.0 FAR;
• 68 parking stalls.

In a unique model, the project would contain “a total of 22
rental units (for a period of ten years) and 92 strata units. Of these units, 11 rental units and 11 strata units would be reserved for lower income earners who earn less than $51,000 per year.

The 11 strata units would have a restriction on resale for two years. There would be no restrictions placed on the remaining 11 rental units.
Although a total of 11 rental and 11 strata units would be reserved for persons earning less than $51,000 per year, it is unknown at this time whether the rental rates or purchase prices would be reduced to an amount that would be considered as below-market or affordable housing. As a
reference, the BC Housing 2019 Housing Income Limits (HILs) rates would suggest a monthly rent of $1,288 for a one-bedroom or studio unit, but likely does not take into consideration the smaller micro dwelling style units, as proposed with this project.“

In addition, a pre-release of the units would be available for and marketed specifically to:

• persons earning less than $51,000;
• persons aged 65 years and older;
• persons with mobility challenges;
• families where two generations are seeking to reside in separate units in the same building; and
• persons who qualify for BC Housing’s Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) program.

The architect for the project is Integra Architecture.

The project is at the Community Planning Advisory Committee and would require referral back to Council for approval.

Rize Alliance has submitted a rezoning application for 810 Kingsway, a 24,800 SF site currently occupied by Sammy’s Flooring.

The proposal for the site is a 6-storey rental building under the City of Vancouver’s Secured Market Rental Housing (Rental 100) Policy.

Details include:

• 103 market rental units;
• 31 studios, 36 one-bedrooms, 29 two-bedrooms & 7 three-bedrooms;
• 11,210 SF of retail space at grade;
• a total density of 3.62 FSR;
• a maximum height of 72 ft.; and
• 92 underground parking stalls and 193 bike spaces.

The application describes the design rationale: “The C-2 guidelines have informed building stepbacks along Kingsway and rear-yard setbacks towards the lane. The intersection of Kingsway and Prince Albert Street is oblique, creating a flat iron condition. At this prominent corner, we are proposing a six story element that folds away from the Kingsway frontage, providing a visual landmark as well as space for a landscaped, publicly accessible plaza.
The grade of the site slopes steeply down from Kingsway south along Prince Albert Street. This grade change allows us to insert two-level townhouses fronting the lane without raising the building height relative to Kingsway. The five, three-bedroom, two-level townhouses along the lane provide valuable ground-oriented rental units suitable for families. These townhouses help to create a transition to the single-family homes to the south while providing animation and passive surveillance along the lane.“

The architect for the project is Yamamoto Architecture.

A development application has been submitted to the City of Vancouver for permission to restore and retain the front façade of a fire damaged heritage “C” Building at 748 East Broadway, between Fraser and Prince Albert Streets.

The building suffered a fire in 2014 that destroyed much of the structure.

The plan for the redevelopment is a new 4-story mixed use building consisting of:

• 18 rental units;
  • 10 studios & 8 one-bedrooms;
• 2,171 SF of retail space;
• a total density of 2.98 FSR;
• a proposed height of approximately 45 feet; and
• two surface parking spaces, having vehicular access from the lane.

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

The architect for the project is Stuart Howard.

A development application has been submitted for a C-2 zoned, 11,000 SF site at the Northwest corner of Victoria Drive and East 49th Avenue. The site is currently occupied by an older retail building with five units.

The proposal is to develop a new 4-storey mixed-use building containing retail use (main floor) and residential (2nd floor – 4th floor), with:

• 26 residential units
  • unit sizes from 516 to 900 SF;
• a total density of 2.50 FSR;
• a building height of 46 ft.;
• a total of 33 parking spaces having vehicular access from lane.

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

The architect for the project is Matthew Cheng Architect Inc.

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.