Cressey Development Group has applied to the City of Vancouver for permission to develop a 24,775 SF site at the Northwest corner of Commercial Drive and East Pender Street in East Vancouver. The site is currently zoned MC-1, which allows a total combined mixed-use density up to 2.50 FSR and 4-storeys.

The site is actually located within the boundaries of the Grandview Woodland Community Plan which allows up to 6-storeys, but Cressey has elected to develop under the existing zoning, rather than rezoning. The site to the immediate North can be built up to 10-storeys per the Grandview Plan.

The development proposal for the site at 485 Commercial Drive is for a 4-storey mixed-use residential/commercial building containing:

• • 8,206 SF of retail space in two CRU units fronting Commercial Drive;
  • 3,226 SF of office space on the 2nd floor;
  • 10 rental units (4 studios, 4 one-bedrooms and 2 two-bedrooms)
  • 31 condo units (10 studios and 21 three-bedroom townhouse units)
  • a total density of 2.23 FSR;
  • an overall building height varying from 46.42 feet – 49.67 feet; and
  • one level of underground parking providing 61 parking spaces, having vehicular access from the lane.
  • 11,493 SF of gardens and decks.

The architect, Gair Williamson describes the application: “The proposed mixed-use development comprises residential, commercial and office units in forms of four discrete building blocks gathered around an internal courtyard. Bounded by two streets, a laneway and a part wall to the west, the development proposes distinct functions and facade treatments on each elevation. Back of house on the laneway serves parking and utilities; the Commercial Drive frontage is dedicated to commercial units, and the East Pender Street elevation accommodates two main lobby entrances for the residential and commercial components, as well as individual entries to the residential units at grade.

A key feature of the proposed development is the courtyard on the 2nd level. Not only does it host entrances to the residential units, but accomodates a safe, semi-private outdoor amenity for families, allowing functions such as communal gathering and playing.”

The application requires a variance to the maximum allowable height by just a few feet.

The full application can be viewed here (for a limited time only): http://development.vancouver.ca/pc485commerical/index.htm

A rezoning application has been submitted for a 40,430 SF, seven-lot land assembly at the Southeast corner of Oak Street and West 64th Avenue in Marpole.  The plan for 988 West 64th Avenue and 8030-8130 Oak Street is to rezone from the current RS-1 zone to allow three 6-storey residential buildings, including:

• 130 market residential units;
• 31 studios, 49 one-bedrooms, 36 two-bedrooms & 14 three-bedrooms;
• a total density of 2.50 FSR;
• a building height of 68.6 ft. from grade; and
• two levels of underground parking with 151 vehicle parking spaces and 169 bicycle spaces.

The application is being considered under the Marpole Community Plan.

The architect for the project is Arno Matis Architecture.

More rezoning applications head to Burnaby City Council next week. Below is a brief summary of some of the larger projects planned which, this week, includes only Metrotown highrise sites (of which there are many!):

6525 Telford Avenue

This 48,553 SF site, owned by Intracorp, is located just south of Beresford in Metrotown and is improved with an older walkup apartment building. Now designated RM5s in the Metrotown Plan, the site is slated for a highrise tower at 5.0 FAR, which will be Intracorp’s ninth tower in Metrotown.

6556-6596 Marlborough Avenue

This 36,361 SF site assembly of five lots is located at the northeast corner of Marlborough Avenue and Grimmer on the East side of Metrotown. The application, by Accorde Properties, proposes a residential highrise with townhouses under the RM4s designation at 3.60 FAR.

5852 Patterson Avenue

This is a 20,000 SF site located mid-block on Patterson between Kingsway and Central Boulevard. The site is in the “Central Park East” neighbourhood of the Metrotown Plan and has an RM5s designation. The plan includes 31 rental units in addition to market condo units. The total density is 4.7 FAR. The developer is Artillery Developments, with development consulting by Brook Pooni. A variance is required as the site is under the 24,000 SF minimum site area in the Metrotown Plan.

5895 Barker Avenue

Yet another Metrotown highrise application!  The fourth highrise tower rezoning application for Metrotown is 5895 Barker Avenue by Concord Pacific. The 46,285 SF site is located at the southwest corner of Baker Avenue and Olive Avenue and is designated under the RM5s high density residential guidelines which allow up to a density of 5.00 FAR (in this case 4.99 FAR). The site is also occupied by an older 3-storey walkup apartment building. The tower will be in the range of 30-40 storeys.