The Planning Policy Statement for Langara Gardens has been released for consideration by Vancouver City Council. The 20.8 acre site was acquired by Peterson Group in 2009. Peterson later partnered with Concert Properties in 2015, after which a formal planning effort to redevelop the site with City of Vancouver planning got underway, with open houses and town hall meetings over the next two years.
Langara Gardens is located west of Cambie Street between 54th and 57th Avenues and was initially developed as a rental apartment property, with three towers and later a fourth tower in the 1980s. The site is currently improved with 605 apartment units and some retail space and is built to a fairly low density equivalent to a single family zoning (approx. 0.78 FSR). A large majority of the site is currently built as lowrise townhouses which is the focus of the redevelopment effort. The existing rental towers will be maintained.
The site at Pearson Dogwood, directly south, is proposed for the same density and will get underway with rezoning of the first phase shortly.
The vision for the property has included retention of the four existing apartment highrises while adding new residential buildings and various new services and amenities. “Langara Gardens will continue to be primarily residential, with a mix of housing opportunities for a variety of households, ages and income levels. A key element of the planning program is to maintain or replace the 605 existing rental housing units on a one-for-one basis.”
Details of the policy statement which will guide future rezoning applications for the site include:
- a maximum overall site density of 2.80 FSR (on gross site area);
- a total of 2,540,000 SF of development (about 2,100 units total);
- 11 towers (including existing four towers to be retained);
- All 605 existing rental units retained or replaced;
- Building heights from 3 to 28-storeys;
- 20% of net new floor area as affordable housing (approx. 430 units);
- Redesign and upgrade of existing retail space (approx. 25,000 SF);
- A new 69-space childcare facility;
- A new 1-acre City-owned park;
- A financial contribution towards a potential future station at 57th Ave;
- A community amenity contribution(s) to be determined/negotiated.
Park and Open Space Concept
Building Heights
The next step will be a site specific rezoning that will include further details such as exact units counts and building layout and design.
Full details on the planning policy statement can be viewed here: http://council.vancouver.ca/20180313/documents/p1.pdf
