A proposal for a rental building in Brackendale will come before council with requests for variance on 15 parking spots.
District has received a development permit application for a 36-unit apartment building at 41312 Government Road.
The development is proposed adjacent to the Republic Bicycles and the Nest restaurant in Brackendale. Two variances are being requested: to reduce the required parking from 67 to 52 stalls, and outdoor amenity requirement from 8816 sq. ft. to 4153 sq. ft.
The development is being proposed under the RM-3 zoning, which permits apartments. The applicant has agreed to enter into a housing agreement with the district to maintain the building as residential rental.
District recently granted parking variances on a 67-unit apartment building in Downtown Squamish.
The project at the former Squamish Budget Inn at 38012 Third Avenue was considered a district priority due to the project being an all-rental building.
In that development, six variances were sought — 10 parking spots paid in cash, an increase in height, reduction in office space, waiving off of a loading bay requirement, a variation in setback and indoor amenity space.
With the exception of Councillor Chris Pettingill, all council members supported the development— and the variances — because it was a rental building.
Ron says
Where does the cash go for the parking variance. The developer will probably tell the tenants that they and their guests can park in the commercial spots at the Nest and Republic and a commercial vs rental altercation will be created. Parking requirements for commercial and residential buildings should not be allowed to be reduced just because the developer pays cash to the muni. Cash in lieu of situations really look at little off.
Donald Graham says
Why do these developers seek variances to parking? Is it so that they can build more units or save money or what.
And why does council allow this bribery “pay cash and get a variance”.
The result is that the streets are littered with vehicles and snow ploughs and garbage trucks cant do their jobs.
Come on Council, stick to the rules that YOU created.
David Lassmann says
There seems to be two issues in one here.
First is the idea that in the future people will either use public transportation or shop and work where they live. Seeing that shopping centres tend to be remote from residential areas it is hard to see how this will work for areas such as Brackendale. I live in a complex where there is only one carport per unit plus a number of “visitor” parking spots and I can tell you that there is more demand for parking than supply. Many of our occupants commute to work and there is no public transportation for that purpose.
Second is the issue of “affordable housing” for those who cannot afford to buy or rent. I suppose that the idea is that having buildings dedicated to providing rental units will drive down rental prices. Given the current interference of our governments I am amazed that any developer would want to participate. I expect that future owners will be looking for relief from the constraints being placed on their properties. As for conflicts around parking between residential and commercial spaces, I expect to see “free” parking spaces disappear to be replaced by either pay, dedicated, or validated parking. It’s all been done before.