Marpole Safeway Redevelopment

Marpole Safeway Redevelopment Update

JAN 2012 — The proposed Marpole Safeway redevelopment plan continues to wind its way through the City of Vancouver's approval process.

In November, the Director of Planning approved the
Development Permit, which allows the developer to move forward to finalize building designs and plans for building and demolition permits.

While we do not have details about the closure or demolition of the existing Safeway store, we understand that these activities will happen at some point within the next few months.

We will try to keep you as up to date as we can, information permitting.

Westbank and its real estate consultant Magnum Projects
will begin the marketing of the development - to be known as Granville & 70th - in the very near future.

Marpole Safeway redevelopment to proceed

JUN 2011 — Vancouver City Council approved of the rezoning and redevelopment of the Marpole Safeway store and property, as its meeting on May 3rd, 2011.

This means that Safeway and its developer, Westbank Properties, can proceed with the building of the new 50,000 sq ft Safeway store, the 6,000 sq ft liquor store, some smaller commercial and office units, and the three proposed multi-family high rise and townhouse units on the site.

No dates have yet been scheduled for demolition or construction.

The Marpole BIA will continue working closely with the City, developer and architect to coordinate scheduling and mitigate as much negative impact as possible.

Please direct questions, inquiries and concerns via email or phone to the Marpole BIA office. We will also work to keep members posted via direct email notices and via our Twitter feed - @marpolevillage.

Please use the information provided to keep your customers, clients and patients notified as best possible. Everyone will be interested in the how, where and when things will happen over the coming year.

Towers approved for Marpole Safeway site — Residents seek long-term planning for Vancouver neighbourhood

MAY 2011 — Rezoning to allow a 16-storey tower on the Marpole Safeway site on Granville Street passed at city hall May 17, 2011. No dates have yet been scheduled for demolition or construction. [FULL VANCOUVER COURIER STORY]

Safeway Redevelopment Plan Moves Forward

APR 2011 — The rezoning and redevelopment of the Marpole Safeway site will be going to a Public Hearing at City Hall on Thursday, April 21st.

This redevelopment proposal is an important and positive catalyst for change in the Marpole commercial district. It is strongly supported by the Board of the Marpole Business Association.

We are pleased to include some important facts about this development proposal, for you and your customers’ information and reference.

Mar 2011 — City Council Agenda | Marpole Safeway Report The proposed Marpole Safeway redevelopment plan has moved a few more steps forward since Sep 2010 following a community open house held Dec 2010. The Public Hearing Date was Apr 21, 2011.

Safeway Redevelopment Facts

1. A New Safeway Store

Safeway will maintain its Marpole location, and build a new 50,000 sq ft store, establishing a streetwall along the Granville Street sidewalk. Store parking will be placed underground. There will be 173 store parking stalls.

2. More Residents for Marpole

There will be a total of 357 residential units built; 31 rental units, and 326 condo/townhouse units.
There are two residential towers; at heights of 16 stories and 14 stories. The townhouses along Cornish are stepped back from the street, and are a total of 9 stories in height.

The new units will allow existing residents to down-size and remain in the community, and permit young families to consider new alternative housing options.

3. New Intersection Crossing Light

A new pedestrian-activated crossing light is proposed for mid-block, between 68th and 70th Avenue. This will allow for better access to the Safeway store, and increase pedestrian crossing safety.

4. New & Reoriented Liquor Store

A new 6,400 sq ft liquor store will be relocated along and be accessible from 70th Avenue.
There will also be some smaller service and retail units in the commercial lane behind Safeway, and along Cornish Street.

5. Landscaping & Pocket Park

There will be extensive green landscaping integrated into the development site, as well as a children’s playground and pocket parks.

6. Environmental Considerations

This will be a LEED Gold performance building, with high architectural quality and detailing. There is a green roof proposed for the Safeway store, as well as garden plots on the townhouse roof. There will be a rainwater collection system for irrigation, and efficient mechanical systems.

Marpole Safeway Redevelopment Details

Please feel free to share the Safeway redevelopment facts & information we've provided in this newsletter. There are also links and the full proposal document available on our website - marpoleonline.com. Finally, we are available to answer any questions you may have. Email us at marpolebia@marpoleonline.com or phone 604-418-8232.

Marpole Safeway Rezoning Update

JAN 2011 — The proposed Marpole Safeway redevelopment plan has moved a few more steps forward since September.

A public open house meeting was held in early December, and was well-attended by the community.

The architect and developer also presented the proposal to the Urban Design Panel in January, and received approval from Panel members for the development's design.

The design has been revised somewhat since its early days (and may yet still). The tower next to the Safeway has been reduced to 16 stories, and will now be mostly condo strata units. The building along 70th Avenue will be 15 stories, and the townhomes along Cornish will be nine stories high.

The new Safeway store is to be built at the streetfront on Granville St., and will be 50,000 sq ft in size.

The next step in the process will be a public hearing, which should be scheduled within the coming months.

Your feedback about this redevelopment is still welcome to the City of Vancouver. Project details can be viewed here on marpoleonline.com.

Please send your comments directly to Dwayne Drobot, the Development Planner in charge of this rezoning application. Email: Dwayne.Drobot@vancouver.ca.

Urban Design Panel Meeting

JAN 2011 — Please see the link to the Urban Design Panel Meeting notice for 8495 Granville St., the Marpole Safeway redevelopment. The meeting will take place next Wednesday, January 12th at 4 PM at City Hall.

Here's some information on what the Urban Design Panel does and how it functions. The proponents make presentations about their developments, and invite comments/criticisms from the Panel members. While the meeting proceedings are open to the public, there is no public commentary permitted or invited.

Function and Authority

The Panel gives impartial and professional advice to the Director of Planning, Development Permit Board or City Council on any proposal or policy affecting the community’s physical environment. In particular, the Panel offers advice on significant development permit applications which are to be reviewed by the Development Permit Board or Director of Planning, as well as comprehensive rezoning applications and other projects of public interest.

The Panel’s reviews also include all civic works such as bridges, roadworks, parks, beautification projects, transit systems, civic buildings and design competitions. They may choose to select additional projects to review as well. The Panel also assists the Planning Department and City Council in the formulation of urban design policy and criteria, including the design and inter-relationship of all physical components of the City. Projects are presented by staff from the Urban Design and Development Planning Centre, Rezoning Centre, and other City departments.

The Panel is strictly an advisory body and makes recommendations only. It does not have the authority to approve or refuse projects or make policy decisions.

NOTICE OF COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE - 8495 Granville Street (Marpole Safeway) Application: The applicant proposes to redevelop the site by demolishing the existing supermarket, replacing it on the Granville Street frontage, and adding residential units. A total of 357 units are proposed for this development in three buildings. The proposed heights are 16, 15, and 9 storeys, with a maximum height of 72 metres (236 ft.). The density allowed on the site would increase 2.50 FSR to 2.80 FSR.

To find out more about this application, you are invited to attend a Community Open House:

Date: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Place: Marpole Place, 1305 West 70th Avenue

The applicant team and City staff will be available to answer your questions and receive your comments. For more information regarding this proposal, please visit our website at: vancouver.ca/rezapps If you do not have web access, please contact Dwayne Drobot, Planner at 604.871.6738. Written comments may also be sent to City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4, by fax to 604.873.7060, or by email to: dwayne.drobot@vancouver.ca

Open house: Changes in Marpole

Areas in the Marpole community are changing. Come to an information session to learn about the proposals, emerging policy and rezoning process on Monday, September 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Marpole/Oakridge Community Centre, 990 West 59th Avenue. There will be a panel forum followed by open discussion.

The City has received several rezoning applications which include the corners of Cambie Street and Marine Drive and the Safeway site at West 70th Avenue and Granville Street. Both applications propose new development with stores, services, increased residential density and higher buildings.

It’s a chance to offer your ideas, which will help shape the development of the neighbourhood, and find how you can stay involved in it. The input you provide will be considered throughout the process.

Pre-event open houses will be held from 5 to 6:30 pm for those unable to attend the panel forum. [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Rezoning Application - 8495 Granville Street
Henriquez Partners Architects has applied, on the behalf of Westbank Projects, to rezone the site from C-2 (Commercial) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District.  The purpose of the rezoning is to redevelop the site with four major building elements which includes replacement of the Safeway grocery store on Granville Street, a 24-storey rental tower, a 14 storey market condominium tower, and a 9-storey slab building consisting of townhouses at street level and condominium units above. The proposed maximum height would be 72 m (236 ft.).  The total floor area proposed would be 37,647.8 square metres (405,250 sq. ft.) with a maximum density increased from 2.5 FSR (floor space ratio) to 3.14 FSR.

The proposed increase in density is to secure the provision of the rental housing. The rezoning application is being considered under the Short Term Incentives for Rental (STIR) Program approved by City Council on June 18, 2009. This program responds to low vacancy rates and the lack of new purpose-built rental housing by providing a strategic set of City incentives to encourage and facilitate the development of new market rental housing.

You can provide comments by filling out a City of Vancouver online feedback form.

Application

• Context Plan (PDF 236kb)
• Site Plan (PDF 901kb)
• Building Program (PDF 683kb)
• Building Elevation Drawings (PDF 2.79mb)
• Building Form Drawings (PDF 5.34mb)
• Shadow Analysis (PDF 236kb)
• Heritage Designation and Facade (PDF 708kb)
• Landscape Plan (PDF 2.02mb)

Notification

• Notice of Rezoning Application Postcard (PDF 135kb)

Links

• C-2 (Commercial) District Schedule (PDF 170kb)
• Short Term Incentives for Rental (STIR