Summary#
Vancouver City Council approved in principle a text amendment to CD-1 (708), the site-specific zoning for 2538–2550 Birch Street and 1290–1298 West Broadway. It would allow 202 rental units to become 202 hotel rooms and raise the maximum floor space ratio (FSR: floor area compared with site area) from 10.55 to 11.40. The stated goal is to account for floor area that was previously eligible for exemption while retaining the minimum floor area for below-market rental housing secured in the earlier rezoning.
- The amendment is not yet in force. Council must still enact the by-law, and its decision says it is not required to do so.
- Before the CD-1 amendment by-law can be enacted, a Housing Agreement by-law must be prepared for enactment.
- The change does not alter the approved form of development.
- The approval is subject to conditions in Appendix B of the staff report, which was not supplied.
What it means for you#
- Renters and hotel users: If the amendment is enacted, the 202 units designated as rental would instead be hotel rooms. The materials do not say when or whether the conversion would occur.
- People seeking below-market rental housing: The minimum floor area for below-market rental housing secured in the earlier rezoning is to remain. The materials do not give the number of homes or the agreement’s terms.
- The property owner: The amendment would allow a higher maximum FSR, from 10.55 to 11.40, and the proposed change in use. The owner bears the risk of costs incurred to meet rezoning conditions.
Money#
No cost information is provided in the available material.
- The decision gives no estimate of City spending, owner costs, or other financial effects.
- It says costs incurred to meet rezoning conditions are at the property owner’s risk; it does not state the amount.
What is unclear#
- When Council may enact the by-law, or whether it will do so.
- The details of the Housing Agreement and the conditions in Appendix B.
- The number and terms of the below-market rental homes.
- Why the 43 pieces of correspondence opposing the application raised concerns; the supplied material gives counts only. It records 16 pieces in support.
Case for#
- City planning staff recommended approval. The change would allow the proposed hotel use and higher FSR while retaining the minimum below-market rental floor area secured in the earlier rezoning.
- The proposal does not change the building’s form of development.
Case against#
- A clear trade-off is that 202 rental units would become hotel rooms, reducing the number of units designated as rental if the amendment is enacted.
- There were more pieces of correspondence opposing the application than supporting it: 43 opposed and 16 supported. The supplied material does not explain the reasons people gave.