3132-3150 Rosemont Dr rezoning application

Transportation safety for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, is a top priority for the City of Vancouver. The City’s Transportation 2040 Plan, accelerated by the Climate Emergency Action Plan, includes directions and policies to make streets safer for walking by limiting the number of new driveways that cross sidewalks. The existing driveway on Rosemont Dr currently provides shared access to both the rezoning site and the adjacent sites existing surface parking to the east. In the event that the adjacent property redevelops, Engineering may explore options for removal of the existing driveway. Until such time, providing access to the parkade via the laneway creates a safer more predictable public realm by limiting the number of vehicles crossing the sidewalk at the shared driveway, as well as flexibility for future walking improvements.

Some trees are proposed for removal during construction, while others are proposed for retention. Please contact the rezoning planner at Allison.Smith@vancouver.ca to receive a copy of the Arborist Report demonstrating which trees are proposed for removal and retention.

Members of the public are able to express their position on a rezoning application through the Shape Your City page, by writing to the Mayor and Council and by speaking at the Public Hearing when this item is scheduled. Please refer to this webpage, subheading Step 4: Public hearing, to see how you can send feedback to City Council: https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/how-rezoning-works.aspx. Please note that this item is not yet scheduled for Public Hearing. It is anticipated to be scheduled for early summer.

1. The rezoning application is currently under review by City staff, including for urban design aspects such as appropriateness of transition to neighbouring properties. Please refer to page 9 of the Rezoning Booklet for the proposed Site Plan which demonstrates the proposed setbacks of the building to shared property lines. 
2. There are various policies at the City of Vancouver which regulate the design and development of new buildings. In terms of air pollution, the Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings sets out requirements for new development with the goal of reducing building emissions and to create more sustainable buildings. The City of Vancouver also has a noise control by-law, which regulates noise or sound within the city. Any concerns with noise levels during or post-construction can be directed to 311. The detailed design of the project, including lighting and landscaping, will occur at the stage which follows rezoning, the development permit application stage (should Council approve the rezoning). During the review of a development permit application, staff will take into account aspects such as lighting as it relates to the site and surrounding context. 
3. The project proposes to increase the amount of much-needed affordable rental housing for seniors on the site, from 33 existing units to a total of 94 seniors rental housing units in the new building. It is a City objective to increase the amount of social housing in the City and in particular for seniors, which is a growing proportion of the City’s population. In sum, if approved, this project would contribute to the City’s targets for more affordable housing for the City’s senior population. 

Thank you for your questions. Please see the responses to your questions here: 

1. There is no official “maximum” for the social housing, but Kopernik (the applicant) anticipates approximately 80% of the units will be occupied by singles and 20% by couples, which would mean around 113 residents total. The care building has 87 beds, most of which are single occupancy. 

2. The social housing will be governed by an Operating Agreement between BC Housing and Kopernik with a variety of eligibility criteria. The units are offered to a range of incomes, with 20% offered at deep subsidy, 50% at rent-geared-to-income, and 30% at market rents. Each of those three categories have different maximum income thresholds. The care home eligibility is subject to assessment criteria established by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority ( http://www.vch.ca/your-care/home-community-care/care-options/long-term-care/how-do-i-access-long-term-care [vch.ca]).

3. The residents of each building are selected by Kopernik.

4. The rents and fees are collected by Kopernik. 

5. The property is owned by Kopernik. If approved, the building will be funded and financed through BC Housing, but the land and buildings will continue to be owned by Kopernik. 

6. Current construction estimate is 22 months.

7. Pre-construction the site is required to meet with and coordinate construction and street use with the City’s Engineering team. Appropriate permits are required to secure street space and any closures must be permitted in advance with proper traffic management plans approved. Residents are encouraged to file complaints of prohibited activity or street use with 3.1.1 for staff to investigate.

All units in this rezoning application are intended to be for seniors. This project is in the early stages of approvals with the City. It is likely that this project will not be completed and constructed for a few years. Please contact admin@kopernik-lodge.bc.ca if you are interested in seeking seniors housing with this housing provider.

The seniors housing building proposed in this rezoning application is at the early stages of approvals with the City. It is likely that this project will not be completed and constructed for a few years. Please contact admin@kopernik-lodge.bc.ca if you are interested in seeking seniors housing with this housing provider.

Thank you for your question. The project aims to develop affordable rental housing for seniors, typically considered those aged 55 and up, though the average age of the current Kopernik Apartments residents is much older.  

The project is seeking funding from BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund, which requires the following rental rate mix: 30% of units at market rents, 50% of units will be Rent-Geared-to-Income and 20% at deep subsidy rates. There are income maximums for each of those three categories that are set by BC Housing annually. This rental rate mix will support a diversity of seniors who are able to live independently, including those on fixed incomes. 

This rezoning application is currently under review by City departments, including Transportation. Your comments will be shared with Transportation staff for their consideration.