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

Strand Development has submitted an application to rezone a 44,372 SF triangular site at the corner of Victoria Drive and Stainsbury Avenue for a new rental apartment project.  The site is two former light industrial lots that are zoned MC-1. The proposal includes:

• A 6-storey rental apartment building
• A total of 155 market rental apartment units, including six live-work units;
• 43 studios, 44 one-bedrooms, 41 two-bedrooms and 21 three-bedrooms
• A floor area of 108,912 SF;
• A density of 2.46 FSR;
• A building height of 61 ft;
• 101 residential parking spaces and one Class B loading space; and
• 194 Class A and six Class B bicycle parking spaces.

The application also involves the reconfiguration of lots by relocating a lane and consolidating two lots previously separated by a lane.

The application is being considered under the Secured Market Rental Housing (Rental 100) Program.

An application has been submitted for a 7,686 SF site  on East Pender Street near Commercial Drive in East Vancouver. The plan calls for a 5-storey  mixed-use building with two levels of office space and three levels of residential space containing 15 residential units and 14 underground parking stalls. The site is zoned MC-1, which conditionally allows a mix of uses.

The site, currently improved with a single storey industrial building, was acquired earlier this year for $1,830,000 by Epix Developments.