Controversial Commercial Drive tower development discussed at public hearing
A controversial plan to redevelop the Safeway location on East Broadway near Commercial Drive is being discussed at a public consultation at Vancouver city council Thursday night.
Redevelopment at 1780 East Broadway has been in the works for years with a number of past rezoning applications and withdrawals, city planner Simon Jay said at the beginning of Thursday's public hearing.
Westbank Projects Corp/Crombie REIT, on behalf of Snowcat Property Holdings Ltd. has applied to build three purpose-built rental towers, ranging in height from 36 to 43 storeys, near the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station.
WATCH | Commercial Drive tower development faces city hearing
Long-awaited Commercial Drive tower development faces city hearing
7 days ago
Duration 1:27
A decision on one of Vancouver's most valuable pieces of real estate is finally happening. The Safeway next to the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station has been the site of speculation for years. CBC's Justin McElroy breaks down why a conceptual debate about the land is about to get a lot more real.
The proposed towers would have more than 1,000 rental housing units, with units equal to 10 per cent of the residential floor area available at below-market rent.
The plan also includes retail space, including a grocery store, office and commercial space, a city-owned child-care facility, and a public plaza running parallel to the SkyTrain station.
Zakir Suleman with the community group No Towers at Safeway told CBC's The Early Edition last month that the proposal doesn't do enough to address the city's housing crisis.
"I think that developers who stand to make a significant profit should be paying their fair share back," Suleman said. "So this proposal as it stands, it doesn't build affordability in the neighbourhood. It barely builds community amenities."
Adam Abti, who grew up in the area, said he supports the towers.
"The more housing we have in general, the more supply and the lower the price," Abti said. "So it's better for everyone."
The application is being considered under the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan.
A referral report from city staff notes that the application "exceeds the anticipated height and density expected in the plan," but "otherwise generally meets the intent of the plan."
The report also notes that the proposed towers would add more than 1,000 rental units without displacing any existing residential tenants.
City council will vote on whether to proceed with the plan following the public hearing.
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