UpFront 44-storey tower, hotel proposed for downtown

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

A 44-storey tower project that includes a 138room hotel is being proposed for downtown New Westminster.

At its March 27 meeting, council received a preliminary report regarding a rezoning and special development permit for 809 to 811 Carnarvon St and 60 to 70 Eighth St The development site is located at Eighth and Carnarvon, across the street from Douglas College and just north of the NewWestminster SkyTrain station.

A staff report stated the proposed development includes 469 stratified condo units, a 6,701-square-me- tre (72,135-square-foot) hotel and 746 square metres (8,034 square feet) of at-grade retail space The applicant is also proposing 411 parking spaces, which is a 22 per cent reduction from the 526 that are required

The commercial space is proposed on Eighth and Carnarvon streets and the 44-storey residential tower would be situated on the north side of the site and have a lobby that faces Agnes Street. The hotel, which would be in a six-storey part of the project that faces Carnarvon Street, is proposed to include reception, bar, lounge, food and fitness centre services

The applicant is cur- rently in discussions with operators but expects the space would accommodate a “select service hotel” typically seen in hotel chains such as the Marriott or Hyatt, said the report

Density Bonus

In a report to council, staff stated the additional density and height were reasonable based on preliminary economic analysis related to a hotel.The report said the project is consistent with proposals in the area (where 32-, 40- and 33-storey buildings have been approved or are being proposed) and would help the city achieve its strategic priority of providing hotel units in the downtown in a location close to transit and Anvil Centre

According to staff, the city’s density bonusing policy anticipates a building height of 240 feet (about 24 storeys) on subject sites, so this proposal exceeds the anticipated density by 52 per cent and the height by about 20 storeys (or 83 per cent).

However, the density bonus policy allows the city to consider applications that exceed anticipated height and density “in the case of unique and exceptional circumstance, including the provision of amenities addressing city strategic priorities.”

‘good potential’

Mayor Patrick Johnstone said the area around Eighth and Carnarvon streets may be the busiest pedestrian corner in the city twice a day, when there is a constant flow of students going between the NewWestminster SkyTrain station and Douglas College, as well as residents heading to the station He said it would be very important to protect the pedestrian realm dur- ing construction, if the project is ever approved.

“But I do want to say I am excited to hear that there is somebody willing to invest in building a hotel space in NewWestminster again.This has been a longstanding desire of the city, both for economic development and just a basic community amenity that we’ve been overdue for trying to find,” he said “So I am some positive about that part of this project I will hold my comments on the on the merits of the entire project ”

Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said that increasing the downtown’s population has always been viewed as the way to help revitalize the neighbourhood. He noted that one of the reasons the city built the Anvil office tower was to bring more of a daytime population into the area to support cafés and other businesses

“Without prejudging a proposal that might come to public hearing, but on the general concept of a hotel, I think that it has good potential,” he said “I would want to see a bit of analysis from the professionals on that.”

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Spring Swap Meet

Queensborough Community Centre | Saturday, April 15, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Shop an array of used household items, collectables, clothing pieces, children’s toys, and much more, from over 30 tables! Admission is free with a non-perishable food donation

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CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

COMMENT PERIOD: April 5 – April 26, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 114 and 118 Sprice Street (REZ00220)

WHAT IS THE REZONING (REZ00220) ABOUT?

Rezoning, Development Variance Permit, and Development Permit applications have been received to allow the development of 10 single-detached houses on compact lots on the properties located at 114 and 118 Sprice Street in

Queensborough

The applicant is proposing two different housing styles (Type A and Type B) to provide more flexibility in the housing form. Parking for each house lot would be provided in an enclosed garage at the rear of the site

A rezoning from the existing RQ-1 zone to RT-2D zone would be required to permit this development Development Variance Permits are being requested as the proposed plans do not conform with the RT-2D zone in the following ways:

• The site frontage for all houses is more narrow than permitted;

• The height of the Type B detached garages are higher than permitted. Images of the proposed development are available on Be Heard New West. This is the last opportunity for public comment on the updated proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the comment form and find detailed project information on the project webpage at: www beheardnewwest ca/sprice-st

You may also send comments or request a meeting with City staff (via phone or in-person) by contacting the Planning Division:

Phone - 604-527-4532

Email - devfeedback@newwestcityca

Mail - Development Services Department (Planning), 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC, V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on April 26, 2023