A development permit application for a 12-unit residential development is making its way to council.
The application, from AR Broadview Holdings Ltd. is for the construction of two multi-family residential buildings at 1231 1st Street SE. The applicant is seeking two variances, one to increase the allowable retaining wall height from 2 to 4.6 metres, and the other to vary the parking from the required 20 spaces to 17.
"Staff support this variance request because there would still be at least one parking space per dwelling unit and some of the units are studio and one-bedroom dwelling units and would likely have less vehicles," noted city planning and development officer Morgan Paiement at the June 16 development and planning services committee meeting.
The .28-hectare property is zoned R14, compact strata/multi-family, and R10, residential. The development is proposed for the R14 portion.
"I'm fully in support of this development," commented Coun. Sylvia Lindgren. "I appreciate the amount of thought that’s gone into the style of the buildings, the impact on the neighbours, the livability of the congregate spaces – I think it’s a really neat idea and I’m looking forward to seeing it built."
If approved by council, issuance of the permit would be subject to a covenant on the title restricting residential use on the parcel to rental housing, and the city and applicant entering a housing agreement for market rental housing.
"We’ve been looking forward to this property moving forward for some time and the plan looks very good to me," commented Mayor Alan Harrison. "I don’t have issue with the retaining wall variance that’s requested and I think the argument of the developer based on… six one-bedroom units, there’s six three bedroom units – that slight parking variance would work."
The committee voted in support of a recommendation to council that the development permit, with variances, be issued subject to the conditions put forward by staff.
