It鈥檚 been years in the making, but the rezoning application for the redevelopment of the Broadway-Commercial Safeway site has finally been submitted to the City of Vancouver.
Architecture firm Perkins & Will on behalf of developer Westbank and property owner Crombie REIT.
The application envisions a mixed-use development with residential units (condo, rental and social housing); retail and office space; a childcare facility; a grocery store; and a new public plaza.
The three proposed residential towers are envisioned at 24, 27 and 30 storeys above the retail level, while 520 condo and 160 rental units are included in the project. The public plaza would run parallel to the SkyTrain station.
鈥淭he submission is consistent with the Grandview Woodlands Plan 鈥� a mixed use development of retail, housing,听office,听public spaces听and amenities,鈥� Westbank spokesperson Jill Killeen told the Courier in an email. 鈥淭he proposal has evolved since the听pre-application open听house with听public consultation and听city听input.听One of the key differences is that the development now accommodates a large plaza on site, at grade, for the benefit of the community. The Safeway store will remain on听one level, and be positioned at grade, adjacent to the new plaza.鈥�
Safeway holds a long-term lease on the site that totals more than 50 years.
The, , allows for "a mixed-use development at a variety of scales, including mid-rise and high-rise components," as well as residential units, space for a one- or two-storey grocery store, small retail, offices and a public plaza. Under the policy, buildings that are six storeys above a one- or two-storey retail level are allowed on the perimeter, while heights of 12 to 24-storeys above retail are allowed at "key anchor points within the site." Council is able to "consider modest increases in height and density for the delivery of non-market housing to assist with project viability, subject to fit with neighbourhood context," according to the document.
Bing Thom鈥檚 architecture firm in the development plans until .
At a 2016 city council meeting about the neighbourhood鈥檚 community plan Thom said: 鈥淲e think there鈥檚 an opportunity here to create a different kind of, let鈥檚 say, mid-density and mid-rise kind of development on this particular block that could be quite interesting for families and encourage a different prototype in terms of buildings in areas that are surrounded by single-family homes.鈥�
Killeen said his input, which the rezoning application characterizes as "nine big ideas" will be reflected in the redevelopment. The ideas talk about subjects including reuniting the Drive, creating a "vibrant local economy," green urbanism and family space.
鈥淭he big ideas from Bing Thom are still very much embedded in the project, and will remain so,鈥� she said, while describing Perkins & Will as a firm 鈥渞ecognized for design excellence and large mixed-use projects on transit, in Vancouver.鈥�
An open house about the rezoning application is expected to be held this fall. A public hearing will likely take place sometime next year.
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