A proposed community centre near the Moray Bridge could be delayed by two years, if the developer’s request for more density in exchange for cash benefits to the city is approved by Richmond city council.
The developers, Yuanheng Seaside Developments and Yuanheng Seaview Development, have applied for a zoning amendment for a three-lot, high rise, mixed use development in the Capstan Village area.
The amendment would allow the developers to increase the total number of residential units at 3399 Corvette Way, and 3311 and 3331 No. 3 Rd. from 850 to 941, but increase the number of affordable housing units from 59 to 63.
There would be no increase to residential floor area.
But those changes would also alter the timeline for the proposed City Centre North Community Centre at 3311 No. 3 Rd., moving the completion date from Dec. 31, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023.
The community centre falls under the city’s Capstan Station Bonus (CSB), which requires developers in the area to contribute publicly accessible open space, at a rate of five square metres per dwelling unit.
The developer has agreed to expand the riverfront park at the north end of 3399 Corvette Way; expand the community centre plaza on 3311 No. 3 Road and build a new public open space near the corner of Corvette and McMyn ways, at 3311 No. 3 Rd.
But the completion of the community centre is tied to the development’s second phase of construction, at 3311 No. 3 Rd.
Occupancy permits in this phase of the development would be tied to the completion of the community centre.
“The developer has indicated that, due to the complexity of constructing the community centre as an integral part of a high-rise, mixed use development, it cannot be completed earlier than Dec. 31, 2023,” reads a staff report to council.
In exchange, the developer has proposed to give cash contributions to the city to cover the cost of deferring the centre’s completion and to reduce the cost for the community centre’s furnishings, fixtures and equipment by 50 per cent, for a total of $936,000.
The developer will also refine and enhance the community centre’s design, according to the report.
Justification for the delay of the community centre include the fact that there will be more local residents in the area at the end of 2023, and, by then, the Capstan Canada Line Station will be completed, according to the city staff report.
Meanwhile, existing needs of Capstan Village residents can be served by current facilities, such as City Centre Community Centre and Richmond Olympic Oval.
The proposed zoning amendment will be dealt with at Monday’s general purposes committee meeting.
