At its Monday night meeting, council gave first reading to a rezoning bylaw that could lead to the eventual demolition of Dolphin Cinemas.
First reading will be followed by a public hearing on May 28 and after that, the Dolphin theatre could be demolished any time after the rezoning bylaw for 4555 Hastings St. receives third reading and final adoption.
The Dolphin theatre, which has been located in the Heights for more than 50 years, can continue to operate until council gives the rezoning bylaw third reading, according to Ed Kozak, assistant director of current planning.
"After third reading and final adoption, demolition can take place," he said.
Solterra Group of Companies is the developer of the Dolphin Cinemas site, which has been slated for redevelopment since last May.
Second reading is granted at the next available council meeting after the public hearing, according to Kozak.
Once the developer satisfies about 90 per cent of the prerequisites put out by the city, it can receive third reading.
"The timing between third reading and second reading is dependent on the applicant," Kozak told the Burnaby NOW. "And that's the time during which the applicant satisfies all technical requirements during zoning."
If the Dolphin theatre closes, it will leave SilverCity at Metropolis at Metrotown as the sole movie theatre in Burnaby.
The last theatre to close its doors in Burnaby was Station Square Cinemas last September, after 24 years in the city.
The Dolphin site is comprised of four lots and is facing a rezoning bylaw to permit construction of a four-storey, mixed-use development, according to a staff report.
The developer is proposing grade-level retail units facing Hastings Street, 11 accessible rental units on the second storey for the Vancouver Resources Society and 20 units of market housing on the third and fourth storeys, the report states.
Kozak also said if the site is considered a health risk or is subject to misuse or becomes a hazard, closes and remains vacant, then the city can call for the site's demolition after second reading of the rezoning bylaw.
The public hearing for the site's rezoning is on May 28 at 7 p.m. in city hall's council chambers.
Hollywood 3 owns Dolphin Cinemas and two other theatres in Surrey and Pitt Meadows.
On www.reddit.com, a user named "Chownado" claiming to be the Dolphin's full-time manager, commented on Vancouver's subreddit (or forum) last month and said, the "Dolphin is doing great."
Dolphin Cinemas management did not respond to the Burnaby NOW's request for comment by press deadline.
