Clean Air Council

Vancouver

CD-1 Rezoning: 1063-1075 Barclay Street

  • This report evaluates an application to rezone 1063-1075 Barclay Street to permit a 47-storey residential building with a total floor area of 30,646.4 sq. m (329,875 sq. ft.) and floor space ratio (FSR) of 19.10.
  • A total of 372 residential units are proposed, of which 285 are strata-titled residential and 87 are social housing units for City ownership.
  • The application meets the intent of the West End Community Plan and Rezoning Policy for the West End.
  • Staff recommend that the application be referred to a Public Hearing, with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability to approve it, subject to the conditions outlined in Appendix B.

Rezoning: 7057–7075 Oak Street and 1015 West 54th Avenue

  • This report recommends a plan amendment to the Zoning and Development By-law for 7057-7075 Oak Street and 1015 West 54th Avenue.
  • The proposed amendment would rezone the properties from RS-1 (Residential) District to RM-8AN (Residential) District to allow for a townhouse or rowhouse development. The maximum floor space ratio (FSR) for RM-8AN can be up to 1.20.
  • Staff have assessed the application and conclude that it meets the intent of the Cambie Corridor Plan (“Plan”).
  • Staff recommend that the application be referred to a Public Hearing, with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability to approve it in principle, subject to the Public Hearing, and conditions contained within Appendix B.

CD-1 Rezoning: 3575-3655 Kaslo Street, 3580-3644 Slocan Street and 2755 East 21st Avenue

  • This report evaluates an application to rezone the site at 3575-3655 Kaslo Street, 3580-3644 Slocan Street and 2755 East 21st Avenue, to increase the building height to 16.5 m (54 ft.) to permit the development of a three-storey B.C. Children’s Hospital complex care transition facility which will replace the former Sunny Hill Health Centre currently on site.
  • The proposal also includes a 74-space childcare facility, expected to be retained by the owner. The CD-1 By-law will secure development rights up to those permitted under the existing RS-1 zoning (RS-1 (Residential) District), with the exception of allowing additional height to accommodate the program requirements of the complex care facility.
  • The application is enabled by the Renfrew-Collingwood Community Vision and seeks to deliver a unique complex care transition facility to support children and youth living with complex healthcare needs by providing care from multidisciplinary teams, assistance in navigating the health system, and training for caregivers and care providers.
  • Staff recommend that the application be referred to a Public Hearing, with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability to approve it in principle, subject to the Public Hearing, and subject to the Conditions of Approval contained in Appendix B.

CD-1 Rezoning: 5562-5688 Manson Street

  • This report evaluates an application to rezone 5562-5688 Manson Street to a CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District.
  • The proposal is for two 18-storey buildings, each above a six-storey podium, and a 37-space childcare facility.
  • The buildings consist of 392 secured rental residential units, of which 20% of the residential floor area would be secured as below-market rental (BMR) units.
  • The childcare facility is to be delivered turnkey to the City.
  • Proposed building heights are 56.0 m (183.7 ft.) for the north tower and 55.5 m (182.0 ft.) for the south tower, with additional height to accommodate an indoor rooftop amenity. A floor space ratio (FSR) of 6.0 is proposed.
  • The proposed uses and form of development are consistent with the intent of the Cambie Corridor Plan.
  • Staff recommend that the application be referred to a Public Hearing, with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability to approve it in principle, subject to the Public Hearing, and conditions contained in Appendix B.

Contract award for supply and delivery of traffic control services

  • The City issued an RFP PS20220002 on March 9, 2022 for the Supply and Delivery of Traffic Control Services. The RFP was advertised on the City of Vancouver website and the work was called in accordance with the terms and condition of the City’s Procurement Policy ADMIN-008.
  • City staff on the RFP evaluation committee and, subsequently, Bid Committee have considered the responses received, and on that basis recommend that the City negotiate and if such negotiations are successful enter into a contract as describe above with Ansan Industries Ltd.

Contract Award for Supply and Delivery of Traffic Control Services

  • The City issued an RFP PS20220002 on March 9, 2022 for the Supply and Delivery of Traffic Control Services. The RFP was advertised on the City of Vancouver website and the work was called in accordance with the terms and condition of the City’s Procurement Policy ADMIN-008.
  • City staff on the RFP evaluation committee and, subsequently, Bid Committee have considered the responses received, and on that basis recommend that the City negotiate and if such negotiations are successful enter into a contract as describe above with Ansan Industries Ltd

Skeena Terrace Policy Statement

  • The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s endorsement of the Policy Statement contained in Appendix A to guide the redevelopment of the Skeena Terrace site, a 10.8 acre parcel located within the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood.
  • The Policy Statement contains guiding principles, objectives and policies related to: land use, density, height, tenant-first engagement, housing affordability, public benefits, transportation and mobility, sustainability and development phasing.
  • The Policy Statement is being presented for Council’s consideration and, if adopted, will provide a framework to inform a future rezoning application for the property.

Climate Emergency – Bylaw and Policy Updates Applicable to New Buildings

This report recommends changes to the Building By-law and the Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings that advance three Council priorities for new construction under the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: Energy Use and Carbon Emissions (CEAP Big Move 4); Resilient Buildings; and, Embodied Carbon (CEAP Big Move 5). These changes also consolidate green building requirements in the by-law, reducing complexity and process for applicants and staff. By approving in principle the by-law changes for 2025 Council sends a clear signal to industry on what the future Building By-law will require, while allowing time for designers and suppliers to adapt, and for staff to make final adjustments if necessary.

These changes for new multifamily and commercial buildings:

  • Achieve Council’s climate emergency goal of zero emissions heating and hot water in new buildings by 2025
  • Require filtered outdoor air in new buildings beginning in 2023, helping to protect residents from the health impacts traffic- and wildfire-related air pollution
  • Require cooling for new multifamily homes beginning in 2025, helping to protect residents from the health impacts of heat, air pollution, and noise
  • Introduce the first whole-building embodied carbon building by-law requirements in North America to begin reducing carbon emissions from materials and construction by 2025, on the path to Council’s climate emergency goal of a 40% reduction by 2030
  • Encourage sustainable, healthy, and ‘circular’ materials and construction
  • Streamline green buildings policy and process for both applicants and staff.

A summary of the proposed changes can be found in the Strategic Analysis section of this report, and the full proposed changes are provided in Appendices A, B, C, D, and G (where Appendix D and G are redline versions).

Annual Carbon Pollution Limits for Existing Large Commercial and Multifamily Buildings

  • This report advances the Climate Emergency Action Plan by introducing carbon pollution limits on the largest office and retail buildings in Vancouver. The proposed limits on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2026, limits on GHGs and heat energy in 2040, combined with the proposed Regulatory Roadmap will reduce GHG emissions from existing buildings 50% by 2030 compared to 2007.
  • Most large office and retail building owners have the professional resources to plan and undertake this work. Establishing these limits now prepares building owners and energy utilities to plan for deep emission retrofits and investments in renewable energy, including renewable gas and low carbon district energy. These initial limits will begin to significantly reduce emissions from commercial buildings but are not, on their own, sufficient to meet the 2030 reduction target.
  • This report also lays out a supplementary Regulatory Roadmap that establishes additional regulations and programs to be developed to support voluntary action necessary to meet the City’s carbon pollution targets.
  • Through streamlining existing regulations and providing a suite of owner supports in partnership with industry, a number of barriers for taking early action and complying with future regulations will be addressed.

Climate Emergency – Bylaw Updates Applicable to Existing Detached Homes

This report advances the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) Big Move 4 targets to reduce operating emissions in existing detached homes by 50% of 2007 levels by 2030. This initial
phase proposes amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law for existing one and two family homes. The proposed amendments are:

1. Starting January 1, 2023, all permanently installed new air conditioning systems in existing detached homes must function to provide both low carbon heating and cooling.

2. Starting January 1, 2023, renovations with a construction value over $250,000 will be required to electrify their existing space heating and hot water systems to the same requirements in Building Bylaw for new construction.

These changes will be supported with the continuation of the current municipal top-up rebates for electric heat pump equipment, the further development of homeowner support programs and pilot programs to address identified barriers to home retrofits, and the continued streamlining of City permitting processes.

After analysis of implementation impacts, staff determined that additional time is needed to develop regulations for space and hot water heating that do not burden City permit processes while allowing for alternate compliance approaches in circumstances when electrification is challenging. This report acknowledges the urgency for climate action and staff will bring a subsequent report in 2023 to address the next steps in achieving the CEAP targets for existing detached homes.

Further to the above, this report includes certain housekeeping changes intended to incorporate miscellaneous clarifications and errata to the affected provisions and the notes in the Building By-law with respect to existing building and energy efficiency language related to windows and upgrade requirements, to better support users of the Code

Non-Market Housing Climate Resilient Retrofit Grant

  • This report advances the Climate Emergency Action Plan by granting the BCNPHA funds for a Non-Market Housing Climate Resilient Retrofit Program, in support of the Council approved Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) Big Move 4 target to cut carbon pollution from building operations in half from 2007 levels by 2030.
  • CEAP Big Move 4 recommended a number of carbon reduction actions, including supports for voluntary energy retrofits in multi-family buildings. Multi-family buildings owned and operated by non-profit agencies are homes to some of Vancouver’s most vulnerable individuals and households, who may also be disproportionately more impacted by climate change.
  • In November 2019, Council approved a $1.5 million grant to fund the Energy Retrofit PLUS Rental Reinvestment Pilot with a matching contribution from the Province’s CleanBC program to fund and support zero emission retrofit projects in market rental buildings. Following COVID delays that program is now set to launch this summer. Staff are now recommending Council approve a $2 million grant from the Multi-Year Capital Program Budget for Deep Emission Building Retrofits to fund the Non-Market Housing Climate Resilient Retrofit Program.
  • This grant will help to replace aging gas heating and domestic hot water systems with new electric heat pumps that will significantly reduce GHG emissions, increase resiliency by introducing cooling, and improve the ability of non-market housing buildings to implement, operate and maintain this low carbon equipment. By aiming to fill identified gaps in the current non-market housing retrofit supports, this grant will also inform future improvements to the CleanBC provincial program.

CD-1 Rezoning: 4949-5255 Heather Street and 657-707 West 37th Avenue (Heather Lands)

  • This report evaluates an application to rezone 4949-5255 Heather Street and 657 West 37th Avenue (referred to in this report as the “Heather Lands” or the “Site”) from CD-1 (52A) and CD-1 (80) to create two new CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) Districts. The rezoning application is for the entire 21.1-acre site and is being assessed comprehensively. The creation of two CD-1 Districts, as requested by the registered owners of the Heather Lands, allows for phased enactment of the zoning and build out. To allow for the proposed rezoning, the boundaries of the current CD-1 (52A) and (80) must first be amended.
  • The Heather Lands project is a joint venture partnership between the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) (collectively the “MST Nations”) and Canada Lands Company (“CLC”). The project represents a significant milestone and will be a benchmark for the City’s efforts toward Reconciliation. For the purposes of this report, staff refer to the MST Nations as a collective as they, along with CLC are joint owners of the rezoning site.
  • The proposed rezoning would permit a mixed-use development containing approximately 540 units of social housing, 400 units of market rental housing with 25% of the floor area at below market rent rates and 1670 leasehold strata-titled units, all in buildings ranging in height from 3- to 28-storeys. In addition, the proposal includes a 74-space childcare facility, 4.4 acres of park and public open space, commercial space including office use, a xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ cultural centre, and a site for a Conseil Scolaire Francophone (“CSF”) French language school and associated childcare facility.
  • The application proposes a total net floor area of 234,219 sq. m. (2,521,107 sq. ft.) for the Heather Lands. Build-out of the development will be phased over several years. The rezoning includes the draft Heather Lands Design Guidelines to direct implementation over the long build- out anticipated for this project.
  • Staff have assessed the application and conclude that it meets the intent of the Heather Lands Policy Statement and the objectives of the Issues Report: Direction for Intensification of Large Sites to Include Moderate Income Rental Housing (the “2019 Issues Report”). If approved, the proposal would address multiple City priorities including Reconciliation, the climate emergency, and housing affordability.
  • Staff support the proposal and recommend the application be referred to a public hearing, with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability to approve it in principle, subject to the public hearing, and conditions contained in Appendices C and D and the draft Heather Lands Design Guidelines in Appendix L.

Encouraging EV Charging at Gas Stations and Parking Lots – Climate Emergency Action Plan

This report recommends:

  • Amending the definitions for gas stations (including cardlock fuel stations and marine service stations), and parking uses in the Zoning and Development By-law and the License By-law to permit EV charging
  • Creating new business licence categories for gas stations and commercial parking lots that provide enough EV charging to meet minimum standards set by the City of Vancouver. These business licence categories would have an annual fee similar to current fees
  • Increasing annual business licence fees for gas stations and parking lots that do not provide enough EV charging to meet the minimum standards set by the City of Vancouver

Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Planning – Terms of Reference and Interim Rezoning Policies

  • Advancing detailed area planning around the Rupert and Renfrew SkyTrain stations in alignment with the Vancouver Plan process will enable the City to further a number of key city-wide objectives, policies and initiatives while recognizing the unique opportunities and challenges of this area. Vancouver Plan will provide a long term land use strategy for the city and will include direction on land use priorities and how different types of neighbourhoods will grow and change. This station area plan will be the first area plan to be strongly shaped and guided by the land use policies that will be included in Vancouver Plan.
  • The Terms of Reference identify important elements to be addressed through area planning such as exploring new housing opportunities, protecting job lands and enhancing Still Creek. The Terms of Reference also include an updated project timeline.
  • As with other recent planning programs, an Interim Rezoning Policy and a Development Contribution Expectation Policy are proposed to help limit land speculation and establish the conditions under which new rezoning applications could be considered while the area planning process is underway. The Interim Rezoning Policy would allow some types of rezoning applications to be accepted and considered, including applications for 100% social housing and 100% job lands projects.
  • In order to be consistent with the Interim Rezoning Policy, minor amendments would be required for three existing policies: the Grandview Boundary Mixed Employment Area Plan, the Grandview Boundary Mixed Employment Area Rezoning and Development Policies and Guidelines and the Secured Rental Policy. The Interim Rezoning Policy and Development Contribution Expectations Policy are supported by an amendment to the Community Amenity Contribution Policy for Rezonings that would remove a CAC exemption that currently applies to some of the employment lands in the area.
  • This report also identifies the need for additional policies supporting flood risk management to respond to increased flood risk in the area, and would provide staff with direction to undertake additional work assessing changing flood risk and recommending short-term policies to manage increasing flood risk. Any new policies would be subject to Council approval. The interim flood risk policy would be updated at the end of the planning process, contingent on further study.

CD-1 Rezoning: 1477 West Broadway

  • This report evaluates an application to rezone 1477 West Broadway from C-3A (Commercial) District to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District to permit the development of a 39-storey mixed-use building. The proposal includes commercial uses at the ground level, a grocery store on the second level, office use in the podium, and 100% secured rental housing units in the tower. The residential floor area includes 223 secured rental housing units with 20% of the residential floor area as below-market rental units and will contribute towards targets within the Housing Vancouver Strategy. The proposal has a total floor area of 29,568.6 sq. m (318,273 sq. ft.) and a floor space ratio (FSR) of 12.30. The project site is located along the Millennium Line and includes the South Granville Station entrance which is currently under construction.
  • The proposal aligns with the Burrard Corridor Area of the Metro Core Jobs and Economy Land Use Plan (“Metro Core Plan”) which seeks to intensify mixed-use and residential/ commercial capacity along transit investment to support job space for economic growth. The policy supports the exploration of increased height and density where appropriate. The emerging directions in Phase 2 of the Employment Lands and Economy Review (”ELER”) further reinforce the economic nature of the Central Broadway area, and encourages job generating uses.
  • In November 2021, the Broadway Planning Program released the Phase 3 Broadway Plan Refined Directions which considers high density housing near transit stations, with building heights from 30 to 40 storeys, in close proximity to job space, shops and services. Staff have assessed the application and conclude that it meets the intent of the Metro Core Plan and ELER, and aligns with the Broadway Plan’s Refined Directions. The site is located in the Broadway Plan study area and is subject to the Policy on Consideration of Rezoning Applications during the Broadway Planning Process (“Broadway Plan Interim Rezoning Policy”) which restricts the consideration of rezoning applications during the Broadway Planning Program.
  • Following a decision by Council on July 21, 2021, staff were instructed to consider a rezoning application at this site as an exception to the Broadway Plan Interim Rezoning Policy to mitigate construction conflicts with the Broadway Subway. Staff recommend the application be referred to a Public Hearing, with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability to approve it in principle, subject to the Public Hearing and conditions contained in Appendix B.

Contract Award for Supply and Delivery of Ductile Iron Fittings

  • The City issued a Request of Proposals (“RFP”) No. PS20211174 on August 27, 2021 for Supply and Delivery of Ductile Iron Fittings.
  • The RFP was advertised on City of Vancouver website and BC Bid and the work was called in accordance with the terms and condition of the City’s Procurement Policy ADMIN-008.
  • City staff on the RFP evaluation committee and, subsequently, Bid Committee have considered the responses received, and on that basis Contract Award for Supply and Delivery of Ductile Iron Fittings – RTS 14886 2 recommend that the City negotiate and if such negotiations are successful enter into a contract as describe above with EMCO Corporation.

Climate Emergency Action Plan – Big Move 6: Natural Climate Solutions

  • In November 2020, Council directed staff to report back with nature-based carbon sequestration targets and recommended pilot projects. Nature-based carbon sequestration refers to natural biological processes that capture carbon from the atmosphere into living systems.
  • The following report proposes an interim nature-based carbon sequestration target and associated quick-start actions for natural climate solutions (NCS) inside city boundaries.
  • To achieve long term success, NCS will be advanced as a policy direction in the Vancouver Plan, with additional information to be brought forward in 2022 as part of that plan.
  • This report also recommends to work with partners, including First Nations and other levels of government, to develop a target and action plan for NCS projects located outside the city boundaries

CD-1 Amendment: 622-688 Southwest Marine Drive

  • This report evaluates an application to amend the existing CD-1 (66) zone for 622-688 Southwest Marine Drive to permit the development of two mixed-use buildings at 28 and 32 storeys on top of two six-storey podiums.
  • The proposal contains commercial at grade, a 37-space private childcare facility, and 573 secured rental units.
  • Approximately 20% of the residential floor space will be allocated to 117 below-market rental (BMR) units. Of the 117 BMR units, the YWCA is anticipated to be the non-profit operator for 28 of the below-market units at deeper levels of affordability. A height of 96.2 m (316 ft.) and to 100.5 m (330 ft.) to accommodate a rooftop amenity space is proposed with a floor space ratio (FSR) of 6.84.
  • Staff have assessed the application and conclude that it generally meets the intent of the Marpole Community Plan and the Issues Report – Addressing Housing Priorities for the Ashley Mar Housing Cooperative Site and Other Social Housing and Inclusionary Housing Sites in the Marine Drive Station Area.
  • Staff recommend that the application be referred to Public Hearing, together with the recommendation of the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability, to approve it, subject to Public Hearing and subject to conditions in Appendix B

Climate Emergency Parking Program

  • This report outlines staff recommendations for implementation of the Climate Emergency Parking Program, based on analysis and engagement.
  • If approved, the program will accelerate the shift to electric vehicles in Vancouver and fund in part the significant investment required to implement the City’s climate emergency actions and fulfill the goals set out in the Climate Emergency Action Plan.
  • The program consists of a pollution charge of up to $1,000 to be added to parking permit fees for more polluting vehicles 2023 or newer, as well as a $45 overnight parking permit for residential streets in the City that are currently unregulated, which would be reduced to $5 for people with low incomes.
  • An analysis of the feasibility and implications of removing the City’s regulatory minimum parking requirements for new developments will be brought back to Council at a later date.

Piloting Regulatory Changes to Support Commercial Renovations and Small Business

  • This report recommends that Council refer for consideration at a Public Hearing a series of actions to reduce permitting and licensing backlogs and the processing times of in-progress applications administered by Development, Buildings and Licensing (“DBL”).
  • These recommendations have been prepared pursuant to direction provided by Council on March 31, 2021 to form an Internal Development Application and Permitting Modernization Task Force (“Task Force”).
  • The Task Force was created to address current service levels and growing backlogs and has curated a significant list of opportunities which are being evaluated for assessment of impact, risk and benefit with priority given to smaller scale projects that are quick to implement and can target large blocks of the existing backlog. In that same motion, Council directed staff to report back on a bi-monthly basis with recommendations and updates.