A proposed 46-storey highrise apartment building on Gilmore Avenue is up for discussion at a public hearing this month.
On March 19, the public will be able to look at plans for the site, which include the proposed tower with a three-storey townhouse podium facing Halifax Street and a two-storey residential amenity podium on Gilmore Avenue that includes a rooftop swimming pool, which will require rezoning. The tower is expected to have about 340 apartment units.
"The proposed development concept provides a strong street-oriented relationship to its two bounding street frontages, as well as a strong contextual relationship to surrounding existing and planned development," states Lou Pelletier, Burnaby's director of planning and building, in his report to council. "Overall, the subject proposal is considered to exemplify exceptional urban design and architectural expression related to the building's sit-ing, massing, pedestrian orientation and materiality; meeting the standard expected."
The site is made up of three lots on Gilmore, which are currently zoned under the manufacturing and industrial district zoning. A deli and sausage manufacturer, a vacant car lot and an auto body repair shop currently occupy the lots. If approved, the site will be designated for a high-density, multiple family development part of the Brentwood Town Centre Development Plan.
"The site is also considered suitable for the proposed development given its strategic location in relation to the Millenium SkyTrain line and the nearby Gilmore SkyTrain line," the report states.
The proposal calls for a progressive landscape treatment for the bounding streets, including separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Gilmore Avenue and separated sidewalks along Halifax Street.
"The landscape design also provides for on-site pedestrian lighting and a lit public pedestrian pathway along the south property line to be protected by statutory right-of-way, providing access to Gilmore Avenue for the residents of the Marquis Grand at 4132 Halifax St."
If approved, under the density bonus program, about $6.5 million will be taken by the city as a cash-in-lieu contribution for use toward a future community amenity. Twenty per cent of the total ($1.3 million) will be allocated to the affordable/special needs housing sub-account and the remainder will be available for future community amenities, including park improvements and housing, according to the report.
The developer has committed to providing the residents of up to 51 units two-zone transit passes for two years, twice the required secured bicycle parking and 34 electric vehicle plug-in stations, which will include all necessary wiring, electrical transformer and mechanical ventilation modifications and four electric vehicles for the future strata corporation.
Coun. Colleen Jordan said obtaining these extra elements comes from the staff's hard work cooperating with the developer.
"They try to think outside the box and incorporate these novel ideas," she said.
Jordan said bonuses such as electric car plug-ins and transit passes makes a difference to buyers.
The developer intends to pursue green building practices by achieving a Silver (equivalency) rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
The public hearing will also see the plans for three other projects, including two projects that will sit next to each other on Lane Street.
The first phase of the site will have 185 units built over three lots at 5401 and 5437 Lane St. and 5390 Grimmer St.
The second phase will be built on the adjacent property, 5309 Lane St. It will see an 80-apartment unit, four-storey mixed-use development.
Another site seeking rezoning is a stacked townhouse development on Kingsway Avenue, which will be three-storeys in height, with 20 three-bedroom townhouse units and underground parking.
The public hearing is on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in city hall chambers.
