East Fraser Lands Town Square: 3575 Sawmill Cres (Parcel 19.1) and East Fraser Lands Waterfront Precinct: 8711 River District Crossing (Parcel 30), and 3522 E Kent Ave S (Parcels 33/34 and Parcels 35/36) rezoning application

Correct--no changes to the overall density is proposed. The density is proposed to be redistributed between the parcels to allow for more efficient floor plates and building design to accommodate above-grade parking. Additional height is proposed for some towers to support a design where the podium contains parking and residential use is shifted to the tower. Previously, the podium contained residential use, with that space dedicated to parking, the tower height is proposed to increase to accommodate the relocated residential space.

The space for affordable and rental housing is proposed to be redistributed between Parcel 30 and Parcel 19.1 respectively, to enable more efficient floor plates and building design. The redistribution supports a design in which above-grade parking is concealed within the podium and wrapped by active uses such as shops or homes along the street. This will also result in an increase in tower height while the podium accommodates the parking.

Thank you for your question. The East Fraser Lands Official Development Plan (ODP) anticipates a community centre and childcare centre to be delivered in Area 1, along with additional park space and other community serving uses throughout the rest of the areas. Timing is dependant on the completion of residential developments to assist with project funding. The developer is to deliver a community centre and co-located childcare in Area 1 and will explore entering into a Park Development Agreement, to the satisfaction of the Park Board, to deliver the community centre plaza at the same time as the community centre. 

This project will be subject to the Bird Friendly Design Guidelines which include strategies for the design of buildings and landscaped areas on private and public property to reduce conflicts between birds and buildings. Please see the guidelines for more information, along with the additional explanatory information.

Thank you for your question. The reference to “density,” means the total amount of building space that’s permitted under the current zoning in this area. That overall amount is not proposed to increase, however, the space is being shuffled around between sites so that parking levels above ground can be hidden in the podium level by active uses (like shops or homes) along the street.  This results in an increase in tower height, while the podium is used to contain the parking.

A Transportation Assessment and Management Study (TAMS) was submitted by the applicant’s Engineers with the rezoning application. The TAMS provides a forecast of the estimated vehicle trips generated by the proposed site. Any off-site improvements, if needed, will be recommended through conditions of approval and reported in the report to Council, following staff analysis of the TAMS.

The City’s Sewer Design team will forecast the proposed increase in population and sewage discharges based on the proposed building floor area from the rezoning booklet submitted by the applicant. The City’s Engineers will check to see if existing sewer systems downstream have enough capacity to take the proposed site discharges, and if any sewer upgrade would be required as a result of the development.

The proposed development is required to comply with the Parking By-law with respect to off-street vehicle parking spaces and required to provide a Transportation Demand Management plan that will help to reduce development demand for vehicle trips and parking. Curbside regulations will be reviewed and updates implemented in advance of building occupancy to ensure appropriate availability of curbside parking.

Thank you for your question. The EFL ODP requires that 35% of units within each building must be suitable for families with children, and that 10% of the units must have at least 3 bedrooms. Units are to be designed in accordance with the High Density Housing for Families with Children Guidelines, including provision of bulk storage which may be either within the unit or in an easily accessible, secure area of the building - which could include secure storage in the underground parking area.

Overall, Staff are undertaking a review of design requirements for new multi-family housing including looking at trends in the size of units proposed, and considering opportunities to address unit livability through the upcoming Citywide Development Guidelines while balancing development viability.

The East Fraser Lands Official Development Plan (ODP) anticipates a community centre and childcare centre to be delivered in Area 1, along with additional park space and other community serving uses throughout the rest of the areas. Timing is dependant on the completion of residential developments to assist with project funding. The developer is to deliver a community centre and co-located childcare in Area 1 and will explore entering into a Park Development Agreement, to the satisfaction of the Park Board, to deliver the community centre plaza at the same time as the community centre. While not related to the subject Area 1 text amendment, the ODP includes two ecological corridors, the Kinross corridor and the Avalon corridor which includes playing fields. The ODP also identifies a new elementary school and land has been set aside for it’s future use. The timing of construction is dependent on Vancouver School Board (VSB) funding.  

TransLink the region's primary operator of transit services.  While the City does not have the authority to implement additional capacity, new routes, or stations, the City works with TransLink to support infrastructure requirements and amenities for transit (stops, shelters, etc.), advocate for increasing services, and work to improve transit priority. 

As you’ve mentioned, Routes 80 and 31 are transit connections at the River District. TransLink have increased service on Route 31, shortening wait times throughout the week. The City has not heard of any planned service changes to Route 80 or plans to add new routes to the River District Area other than a possible future bus loops around Sawmill Crescent and E Kent Ave.

TransLink is currently undertaking Transport 2050 to identify the long-range for transportation in the region, which is likely to include considerable increases in transit priority and higher-order transit While the City continues to prioritize and work with TransLink to improve transit, implementation and timing of improvements is subject to direction and funding from TransLink.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028 but is dependent on developer initiated timelines and approval processes.