A rezoning application has been submitted to the District of North Vancouver for a new stacked townhouse development on a 3-lot, 18,029 SF land assembly on Sandown Place, just West of Capilano Road in the Lower Capilano area.
The original preliminary application for the site was submitted in 2019.
The site is designated for up to 1.20 FSR under the Lower Capilano Village Centre: Peripheral Area Housing Policy & Design Guidelines.
The application comes just days following a nearby townhouse application that was rejected by District of North Vancouver council.
Details of the proposal 1900-1950 Sandown Place proposal include:
The District of North Vancouver is currently working on updating their zoning bylaws in response to the Province’s housing legislation regarding Transit Oriented Areas (TOAs) and Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH).
TOAs in the District of North Vancouver
There are two TOAs in the District: Phibbs Bus Exchange (the Phibbs TOA) and Capilano University Bus Exchange (the Cap U TOA) (see maps below).
The District estimates that the TOAs will see 1,800 units developed over the next 10 years, and that the overall theoretical maximum build out would see approximately 5,500 additional new units above the existing OCP.
SSMUH in the District
Bill 44 requires the District to approve a zoning bylaw that complies with SSMUH requirements by June 30, 2024, by allowing small-scale, multi-unit housing in zones that would otherwise be restricted to single-family dwellings or duplexes.
The SSMUH legislation requires that all residential zones permit a minimum of 3, 4 or 6 units depending on their size and proximity to frequent bus service.
Many of the lots in the District are located in creek, slope and wildfire hazard development permit areas and are therefore exempt.
Here’s the breakdown on lots under SSMUH:
There are 19,961 single family zoned lots in the District
8,583 lots are exempted under DPAs and will remain single family zoned
8,494 lots are deemed to be “challenging” for servicing
2,884 lots are deemed feasible for servicing
1,295 lots are permitted 6-units (located within 400m of frequent bus service)
Domus Homes has applied to the District of North Vancouver to redevelop three existing single-family lots in the Edgemont Village area of North Vancouver into 12 three-bedroom townhouse units.
A preliminary proposal for the 24,703 SF site at Ridgewood Drive and Brookridge was first developed in 2018, but was later shelved. A neighbouring townhouse development “Edgemont Walk” was subsequently completed in 2019.
A revised proposal for the site has now been put forward with some design changes following staff and public input.
The site is located in the Edgemont Plan area, which designates this part of Ridgewood Drive for 2.5 storeys and up to 0.8 FAR.
The updated plan for the site includes:
12 three-bedroom units;
unit sizes from 1,829 SF to 2,023 SF;
a total density of 0.8 FAR;
27 underground parking spaces;
a CAC of $335,947 ($17 per SF);
an additional $200,000 for pedestrian/traffic improvements.
The site was assembled in 2016 for $5,451,000 or $275 per buildable SF.
