New development designs for North Van's Safeway site released
In late January, development firm Onni Group was scheduled to present new designs to city council for its mixed-use condo complex proposed for Central Lonsdale’s Safeway site.
And while Onni’s delegation ended up removed from that agenda, descriptions of the large-scale development have recently been posted to the city’s website.
The new plans include two 180-foot towers — between 19-20 storeys high — and ample commercial space beginning at street level. Originally, Onni had proposed a three-tower development but council directed the firm last year to scale down its plans.
Among the amenities being proposed are 10,000 square feet of affordable housing, cash for the city’s community amenity fund and space for a Lonsdale Energy Corporation miniplant. A new museum was proposed last year but was dropped because council favoured a smaller development.
According to the designs, the commercial spots will house a grocery store, multiple “small format” retailers — council last year expressed concern over big box stores moving in — and 80,000 square feet of office space.
The city’s Official Community Plan lists the area as having a development potential of 2.6 times its size, which would allow for 256,625 square feet of development. Onni’s new plans still require 446,932 square feet, almost twice the allowable amount in the OCP.
When Onni first presented its ideas last year, it was looking for city council to green light 560,130 square feet for the site, which borders Lonsdale Avenue to the west, East 14th Street to the north and East 13th Street to the south. North Vancouver RCMP headquarters sits directly to the east.
For more, visit the cnv.org.
skolenko@northshoreoutlook.com
twitter.com/seankolenko
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