Beach Towers Case Study

www.westendneighbours.caTown Hall Meeting, Coast Plaza Hotel, Comox Street, April 22, 2010

Original Application

• Devonshire Properties and agent Michael Geller

• 165-unit, 22-storey tower

• 25 waterfront, 3-storey Beach Ave. townhouses

Background• Built in 1964/65, complied with RM-4 zoning• Important, prominent development• City involvement:– Placement of towers– Height of parking garage– Materials used in construction

• Additional structures on the site rejected in 1980s as a result of zoning

• Director of Planning does not support tower– Does not meet tower separation guidelines– Fourth tower will create wall-like appearance toward

English Bay

• Will still consider rezoning under STIR for:– 25 waterfront townhouses– Lower structure on Harwood and Cardero

Update

City of Vancouver def’n of rezoning:

• “It is intended for unique sites or areas or to accommodate special uses or forms of development which do not fit within a standard zoning district schedule.”

Provision of STIR:• “seek affordability in projects submitted for STIR

incentives through finishing, size, location and other design considerations.”

Final thoughts