White Rock has given final approval to two major projects in the downtown core, as well as a much-revisited redevelopment on the site of a former convenience store on North Bluff Road.
At its April 24 meeting, city council gave third and final reading – on a split vote – to the phased development agreement for Landmark Premier Properties ‘Foster Martin on White Rock Commons’ project at 1484 Martin St., following a report clarifying parking issues raised during the public hearing.
Council had given initial reading to the 10-year phased development on the provision that a plan for providing parking for construction workers was worked out.
Acting development services director Greg St. Louis confirmed to council that the owners of Landmark have submitted a plan to provide parking for workers in the lot they own across Foster Street (behind Central Plaza).
First phase will be construction of a 24-storey tower in the northwest corner of the property, a block away from the intersection of Martin and North Bluff.
When complete, the planned mixed-use development – for a long-vacant property between Foster and Martin Streets in the 1400-block of the uptown area– will add two additional 24-storey towers providing a total 334 residential units and 56,304 square feet of commercial space.
The motion to approve narrowly succeeded, with Mayor Wayne Baldwin and Couns. Lynne Sinclair, Megan Knight and Bill Lawrence in favour and Couns. Grant Meyer, Helen Fathers and David Chesney opposed.
At the same meeting, council gave final approval to an amended zoning for the second phase of Bosa Properties’ Miramar Village.
The once-contentious project will build both a 17-storey and 14-storey tower on the current site of the Hillcrest Mall, with a grocery store and ground-floor commercial units, as well as a main public plaza area.
The bylaw amendment was necessitated by an error made in 2013, when the development application was updated, in which a 2006 plan for the second phase was attached instead of a revised plan from 2011.
At council’s April 10 meeting, it gave final approval to the Texor Homes project at 14022/34 North Bluff Rd. and 1590 Nichol Rd. – site of the former Skyline Market and two adjacent single-family homes.
The five-storey residential and commercial project – at the southeast corner of North Bluff Road and Nichol Road – will provide 51 residential units and commercial space, with underground parking for 107 vehicles.
Original proposal for the site, in 2015, was for a 15-storey residential highrise, which was shot down after vehement opposition from residents.
A subsequent eight-storey revision also found little favour with either residents or council members.
Council approved the current version of the development after a report from St. Louis that the applicant had completed development pre-requisites including BC Hydro approval to reroute utility wires underground, a geotechnical assessment, analysis of water and storm and sanitary sewer systems, a comprehensive servicing agreement and confirmation of a $200,000 community amenity contribution.
