Refer CD-1 Rezoning 208 East 54th Avenue to Public Hearing

Motion 21 · Council Meeting, April 11, 2023

On Consent Location 208 East 54th Avenue, 7018-7078 Main Street and 211 East 55th Avenue

Summary

A rezoning application for a full block of properties at 208 East 54th Avenue, 7018-7078 Main Street, and 211 East 55th Avenue proposes two six-storey mixed-use residential buildings containing 131 secured market rental units.
The site currently contains eight single-detached houses and nine secondary rental units; staff note there are no eligible tenants under the Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy.
The proposal would increase the floor space ratio from 0.75 to 3.62 and raise building height from 9.2 m (30 ft.) to 22.0 m (72.2 ft.), enabled by the Affordable Housing Choices Interim Rezoning Policy.
The application is submitted by Matthew Cheng Architect Inc. on behalf of 7000 Main Holdings Ltd., and the surrounding neighbourhood is primarily single-detached and duplex (RT-2/RS-1) zoning, with a similar six-storey rental building recently approved four blocks north on Main Street.
Nearby amenities include Sunset Park, Sunset Community Centre, and eight childcare facilities within 1 km; local schools (John Henderson Elementary and John Oliver Secondary) are projected to operate below capacity by 2031.
Staff recommend referring the application to a Public Hearing, with the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability supporting approval in principle subject to conditions including a Housing Agreement to secure the rental units.