Commercial Drive 12-storey tower in question after Vancouver releases community plan

The future of a controversial tower proposed forVancouver's Commercial Drive is now in question, with the release of the city's draft neighbourhood plan that says a 12-storey high-rise doesn't fit "the vibe of The Drive."

The Kettle Boffo project, which has drawn lawn signs and protests as well as supporters, is proposed for the corner of Commercial Drive and Venables St. by developer Boffo Properties and the Kettle Society, which offers social services on the site now.

The project would include up to 30 units of supportive housing, about 200 units of market housingand social services offered by Kettle in an expanded facility.

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Looming tower?

The developer has 12 storeys planned, with five storeys along the street.

But the city's newly-released draft plan for the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood calls for just six to nine storeys on the property, with a limit of four storeys on the Drive itself.

"This proposal did kind of loom over Commercial Drive" in the view of those opposed, said Kent Munro, assistant director of planning for the city.

"We've set parameters to say, no ... we're protecting the four storey or lower limit of Commercial Drive to keep the vibe of the Drive."

The community plan also calls for lower density on the site.

Developer 'disappointed'

The developer from Boffo Properties said he's glad the long-awaited community plan is out, but the height and density restrictions would make the project unsustainable.

"We are a little disappointed with the draft plan's recommendations but we remain optimistic that there is still flexibility at our location," said Daniel Boffo.

The proposal offers supportive housing, expanded social services and other amenities without a taxpayer cost paid for by the market housing units, said Boffo.

Going to six and nine stories would leave a funding gap, which the city acknowledged in its report.

"I'm not clear as to ... how that would be filled," said Boffo.

The Kettle Society, Boffo Properties and the city each own parcels of the land that would be developed.

Tall tower still possible

The draft community plan doesn't rule out the possibility of a taller tower, however.

It sets principles and parameters that a future application would have to meet in the neighbourhood, but the city is indicating there may be flexibility, depending on the community amenities offered.

More social services or supportive housing could tip those scales, Munro said.

"There could be opportunities to massage what's in the community plan to achieve those goals," he said.

"The Kettle is an incredibly valued and important social service in the community. The city wants to do everything it can to support it."

Boffo and the Kettle's executive director both said they plan to ask supporters of the project to speak up when city council considers the draft plan, which may be later this summer.