Concord temporary sales centre permit extended for 3 more years. Commercial parking to be discontinued

The City of Vancouver approved a three year extension for a “temporary” Concord Pacific sales centre on August 11, 2014. The recent decision also stipulates that the commercial parking on the site is to be discontinued and that this site is not be used for selling properties located outside of Vancouver. Special events held on the site such as Cirque du Soleil will require separate permits. The 9-acre parcel of land on northeast False Creek is slated to become a future park. The first “temporary” permit for the sales centre was granted by the City of Vancouver in 2005.

The press release from the False Creek Residents Association is reproduced below:

City Planning Department says “No” to commercial parking on park-zoned land and “Yes” to Special Events.

The City of Vancouver has finally moved on the March 11th application by Concord Pacific to renew the Temporary Development Permit which allows for its sales centre to be located on prime waterfront land in Northeast False Creek – land which is zoned as Park.

In its July 24, 2014 decision letter to the developer, the City specifies that the sales centre can remain for 3 more years, but no more. “Given our experience to-date, it’s hard to be very trusting. Developer funded parties could easily change this 3 year limit after the municipal election”, said Fern Jeffries, co-chair of the False Creek Residents Association (FCRA).

On May 8th, the association wrote to the city objecting to the renewal of the temporary permit, objecting to the marketing of Burnaby condos, and objecting to the commercial activities on park-zoned land. “Unfortunately the City didn’t act 3 months ago. It seems that it takes legal action to get any action”, said Jeffries whose affidavit was filed on May 22nd.

Before the Court hears the judicial review application, it will consider Concord’s application to be named as a ‘party’ in the judicial review because they claim “undue hardship” if forced to do business anywhere other than the waterfront park-zoned land.

In the FCRA’s response to the application, lawyer Bob Kasting points out that “party” status for Concord will simply delay the Court’s response to what is essentially a very simple question: Is the City of Vancouver acting within its authority under the Vancouver Charter? Concord’s application will be heard August 27th and the Court is scheduled to hear FCRA’s case against the City on September 11, 2014.

In permitting the sales centre to operate on park-zoned land for 3 more years, the City has set two additional conditions:
1. Concord is prohibited from continuing its practice of using the False Creek site to market
developments outside of Vancouver.
2. Commercial parking on the park-zoned site must be discontinued, any “special events” require separate approval.

“The FCRA is pleased to see the City make these significant gestures to comply with the zoning. Will “Special Events” reflect the zoned purpose of the property, i.e. park and recreation? Stay tuned! We are certainly heartened by what appears to be the City’s new found respect for its zoning bylaw”, said Jeffries.

For complete information and to view all relevant documents, visit: www.falsecreekresidents.org For additional information from the FCRA, contact Fern Jeffries [twitter: @fernatme].

Additional details can be found in these previous posts:

Concord land on False Creek assessed at $1: Joke or reality? (Answer: No joke!) (April 1, 2014)
Concord Pacific: Corporate social responsibility, integrity and governance (June 9, 2014)