The second review of proposal at Arbutus & 15th Avenue was supported by the Urban Design Panel on August 1st by a vote of 9-1. The Development Permit Board will now consider approving the application at an upcoming meeting [Update: this review will be on October 9th]. Members of the public will be given an opportunity to address the DP panel during the review. The projected is zoned as C-2; the proponent is requesting the maximum conditional density of 2.5 FSR. The Ridge Plaza currently contains a bowling alley, a theatre, a Japanese restaurant and stores. The development proposes a large grocer on the ground floor with another 4-storeys of residential condo units above. Service deliveries to the grocer would be made at the laneway to the back. The zoning guidelines allow a conditional maximum height of 55′; the proposal along Arbutus is between 56′ and 62′ (elevation differences due to grade change). The actual property line is set back substantially from Arbutus Street, the parking in front of the existing plaza is on public land. An underground pumping station occupies the city land at 16th and Arbutus, while water pipes run underneath the city owned parking (VanMap screenshot below):
There was a bit of confusion at the start of the UDP meeting as City staff changed the order of the agenda around. Members of the public who came for the original 5:15PM scheduled time for this agenda item found out that this proposal was moved all the way to the end of the meeting. This item was rescheduled for 7:15pm but started after 7:50pm due to previous items running over time. Nonetheless a contingent of residents still did stay late to observe review of the DE415745 proposal at 3113 Arbutus and 2118 W 15th Avenue.
Below is a screenshot of the incorrect start time on the city’s webpage (now corrected).
