1640-1650 Alberni St rezoning application

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We would like your feedback on a rezoning application at 1640-1650 Alberni St. The proposal is to allow for the development of a 43-storey residential building. The zoning would change from RM-5C (Residential) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. This proposal includes:

  • 66 secure replacement market rental housing units to replace the 66 rental housing units currently on the site
  • 198 market strata units
  • Floor area of 24,060 sq. m (258,987 sq. ft.)
  • Building height of 118.5 m (385 ft.)
  • Floor space ratio (FSR) of 14.97
  • 268 vehicle parking spaces and 535 bicycle parking spaces

The application is being considered under the West End Community Plan.


In response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), an extended online question and answer (Q&A) period was held in place of an in-person open house for this project.




We would like your feedback on a rezoning application at 1640-1650 Alberni St. The proposal is to allow for the development of a 43-storey residential building. The zoning would change from RM-5C (Residential) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development) District. This proposal includes:

  • 66 secure replacement market rental housing units to replace the 66 rental housing units currently on the site
  • 198 market strata units
  • Floor area of 24,060 sq. m (258,987 sq. ft.)
  • Building height of 118.5 m (385 ft.)
  • Floor space ratio (FSR) of 14.97
  • 268 vehicle parking spaces and 535 bicycle parking spaces

The application is being considered under the West End Community Plan.


In response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), an extended online question and answer (Q&A) period was held in place of an in-person open house for this project.



The virtual open house has concluded. Please use the “Send your comments” tab or contact the Planner directly for any further feedback. Thank you for participating.

Q&A is available from September 1 to September 22, 2020.

Q&A replaces in-person open houses, which are on hold due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

We post all questions as-is and reply here within two business days. To find out when we reply to your questions, sign in or register.

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    Why is the podium of this development allowed to be so high? This blocks views and decreases light for people on the ground, making it an unwelcoming place to be or walk -- which is at odds to the West End Community Plan. The WE plan calls this zone a "corridor"; however, how many cars actually go along Alberni street, and how much has this changed in the last 10 years? Currently the 1600 block of Alberni has failed as both a vehicle and a pedestrian corridor. This development supports a vehicle corridor rather than a pedestrian one -- is it being planned by the city to redirect traffic to utilize Alberni as a vehicle corridor?

    Eric G asked 4 months ago

    The subject site falls within Area A of the Georgia Corridor within The West End Community Plan where podium height is not limited.  That being said, to maximize views and sunlight on the sidewalk, residential floorplates above the podium level are limited.  The West End Community Plan limits floorplate size to 5,500 square feet in this area, as compared with 6,500 square feet in Area B and 7,500 in Area D.  This small floorplate, combined with required spacing between towers, minimizes the impact of shading from the tower on the area.

    The proposed development, as well as others in the area, will be required to widen sidewalk and provide critical cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to improve the pedestrian experience in the neighborhood.  Further, a mid-block pedestrian connection is planned between Alberni and West Georgia.


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    How was the 10.7 FSR number arrived at? What is the existing FSR? How many suites are existing? How many parking spaces are existing? As Foster and Associates has noted in their Manifesto of December 2019, embodied CO2 in the construction of buildings is one of the most important issues regarding new development now. Has there been any consideration about the loss of existing housing with already spent embodied CO2? Has there been any consideration of the embodied carbon in the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new 43 storey building complete with 8 storeys of underground parking? Has or will anybody who is part of the Climate Emergency Response be reviewing and commenting on this proposal?Is the existing building occupied by renters or owners? What are the plans for their relocation?

    Skwimer asked 5 months ago

    Thank you for your comments. We will review your concerns in light of the current policy context and considerations. 

    Existing zoning allows for 2.20 FSR and a height of 190 ft, however the West End Community Plan, which can be found here, enables rezoning of this site to CD-1 with the following limitations: heights of up to 117.3 m (385 ft.) may be considered, subject to view cone restrictions, shadowing analysis, and other urban design considerations, with typical floor plates of up to 511 m2 (5,500 sq. ft.). 

    The Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings (amended in 2018) requires that rezoning applications satisfy either the near-zero emissions buildings or low emissions green buildings conditions within the policy. The amended Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings can be found here.  Our sustainability team will vett the applications compliance with the Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings through the rezoning and development process.

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    Have you looked at the Denman intersections? That is the location of current & future bottlenecks. Most people don't use the Bidwell or Cardero exits.

    P. Gurney asked 5 months ago

    Thank you for reviewing the 1640 Alberni Street rezoning proposal and for sharing your thoughts about it. As I understand, your concerns are related to traffic congestion in the neighbourhood.

    Comprehensive assessments are completed of the impact each rezoning application will have on traffic flows in the neighbourhood.  In the case of 1640 Alberni Street, our traffic engineering team has required greater setbacks on the rezoning site to provide enhanced sidewalk and cycling infrastructure.  Further, our engineering team is requiring that the applicant make offsite improvements to the surrounding traffic infrastructure and light signals, as deemed necessary. 

    Your concerns regarding existing congestion at the Denman intersection have also been forwarded to our engineering team.