8725 French St rezoning application

The approximate unit sizes for 2 and 3-bedroom units are between 700 to over 950 sq.ft. The application is still going through the rezoning process and requires Council decision at Public Hearing. The proposal is for social housing with 46% of the homes offered at rent-geared-to-income rates, with an income maximum set at Housing Income Limits (HILS) levels. The remaining of the units’ exact rent rates are subject to financing grants and construction costs. 

Please contact Brightside Homes directly to enquiry about vacancy in their properties. https://brightsidehomes.ca/housing-applications/

Ongoing renewal and improvement of parks are identified during the public engagement for the Marpole Community Plan. The two parks that are near the proposed site, William Mackie Park and Marpole Park are identified for improvements in Figure 10.1 of the Plan (page 98). The Vancouver Park Board can be contacted for further information specifically for the William Mackie Park Renewal here.

The proposed redevelopment of the site with 100 units would house seniors, families, and people with disabilities.

The proposed development at 8725 French St is currently meeting the Parking Bylaw with their current design. In addition, the site is in close proximity to frequent transit and the applicant is also proposing Traffic Demand Management measures which will reduce the demand for parking and new vehicle trips

On-street parking along French St is currently unregulated.  Residents may request new or changes to existing RPP zones online or by calling 3-1-1.  If a majority (50% +1) of residents on a block support installing permit parking, the City will install a zone. There are also no costs to the survey and installation of the RPP Zone for residents. Once the RPP zone is implemented, there will be an annual RPP cost to residents who choose to park within the RPP zone.

Eligible residents  in projects undergoing redevelopment are covered by the City’s Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy.  The applicable Tenant Relocation Plan requirements are determined by the type of development being built back.  As 8725 French is being developed as social housing, the non-market housing framework for Tenant Relocation applies.

Section 4 of the Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy - Process and Requirements document outlines the required components for a Social Housing Tenant Relocation Plan as follows: 

• Identify a permanent replacement option for each tenant that minimizes moves, prioritizes existing neighborhood and aims to keep communities together. 

Note:  All current residents of 8725 French St. will be offered the Right of First Refusal. Once the building is complete, residents wishing to exercise their Right of First Refusal will be offered a unit, assuming they meet Brightside’s application and income testing requirements. For those residents who do not wish to submit the income-testing documentation that is required for all Brightside homes, Brightside factors in this preference while working with residents to source appropriate alternative housing. All current residents are being offered financial compensation and support in finding alternative housing as part of the relocation process

• Permanent option must maintain affordability: 
  1. For RGI tenants, rents must be same as current subsidy requirement 
  2. For all other tenants, rents must be no more than the higher of either 30% of income or the tenant’s current rent 
• Compensation levels as per RTA (1 month free rent) + all moving expenses • Additional support for special circumstances as needed (e.g. support with packing and moving)
• Please refer to Section 4 in the policy for greater details: https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/tenant-relocation-and-protection-policy-amended-june-11-2019.pdf.   

In regards to the right of first refusal, it will be offered to all residents when the building is complete. As the completed project is social housing, interested residents would need to go through Brightside’s application process which takes into account demographic and income testing requirements. For those residents who do not wish to submit the income-testing documentation that is required for all Brightside homes, Brightside will factor in this preference while working with residents, to source appropriate alternative housing.  Brightside’s relocation team is committed to work with existing tenants to develop a personalized plan for finding permanent alternative housing. It is recommended that residents meet with them to share their needs and preferences.   

This rezoning proposal is being considered because the Council-approved Marpole Community Plan aims to preserve, renew and grow the supply of affordable housing. This social housing project increases housing for vulnerable residents, as well as replaces the current building which is at the end of its life time. The City is not considering revising the Community Plan since it is Council-approved and is aligned with community directions on housing policies for this area. Please see Section 8 of the Plan for further information.

City staff oversees the rezoning process of this project alone, and isn’t responsible for addressing the loud HVAC unit on a different building. If this concern continues, it could be addressed by the development’s building management if the project is approved at Public Hearing.

The parking requirements of this project is carried out by the City’s Engineering department based on the local transportation demands. Typically, developments for social housing and non-market rental developments generate lower parking demand than typical market rental or market strata. 

For this proposed social housing development, there are lower base vehicle parking requirements that allow the flexibility for developments to provide parking based on anticipated market demand. This is appropriate as it reduces expenses, and subsequent housing costs, related to requiring excessive amounts of parking and the cost required to construct the additional parking. Staff are continuing to review the parking and transportation aspects of the application. This development will meet the By-Law requirements for required parking.