Gilmore to Madison full on north side of Dawson Street

With the site on the northeast corner of Dawson and Madison currently under construction by Porte Development Corp, the northwest corner has already been 1 year into a proposal by Imani Development to build a 40-45 story residential tower atop a retail/office street front at 4285 Dawson Street.

This development will complete the redeveloped street front along the north side of Dawson Street between Gilmore and Madison as Onni has already initiated its Gilmore Place development just west of Imani's proposal.

Vancouvermarket.ca article below

Another Highrise Proposal for Brentwood Area

Posted on July 25, 2016

On the same day that Onni is submitting a formal rezoning application for it’s first phase of 3 residential towers at Gilmore Station, another rezoning application has been filed for a site just East of Onni’s land in the rapidly developing Brentwood area of Burnaby.

The application is being made for a currently industrial property at 4285-4295 Dawson Street, at the northwest corner of Madison Avenue. The site is 56,500 SF. The site is designated in the Brentwood Town Centre Plan a mixed use high-density (RM-5s).

The preliminary proposal by Imani Development, is for a mixed use development comprised of retail, office and a highrise residential tower, to a maximum density of 6.0 FAR, with a residential density of 5.0 FAR.

The application notes that the tower height would be 431 feet, or likely around 40-45 storeys.

Escala and Triomphe on Gilmore

The eastern street front of Gilmore Ave is about to dramatically change as two developments are now progressing.  The Triomphe project by Millennium Development at the southeast corner of Halifax and Gilmore is replacing the old International Sausage House which has been demolished.

Across Halifax on the north side, the Escala site has been excavated.  Escala is being built by Ledingham McAllister along Gilmore Ave to Douglas Rd.

The showroom on Gilmore titled, 'Seasons'is for the the low-rise development by Ledmac on the north side of Lougheed Hwy across the street from Rev's Bowling.

Escala following Aviara

Now that the Aviara tower is all but completed, Ledingham McAllister is moving ahead with the 2nd tower of its project with the 42 story Escala tower at 1710 Gilmore Ave. The area in the map that is highlighted in blue is where the Aviara phase is located.  The red area is the site of the Escala phase.

The green-shaded area north of Escala is where Willingdon Heights park will be expanded to close off Douglas Rd to make room for an extension of 1st Ave across Gilmore eastward into Douglas Rd.

The Escala will replace the old Tierra Sol tile business at Halifax and Gilmore.

Fulton House coming to the foot of Madison

A new development is coming to the foot of Madison Avenue, south of Dawson Street.  A 41 story tower and ground-level townhouses will be proposed for a public hearing on November 24 at the City of Burnaby.

Along with Fulton House, a two-tower development at 1800 and 1900 blocks of Gilmore Ave will be proposed at the same public hearing.

(from the City of Burnaby website)

Gilmore Station could see up to 8 towers

The Gilmore Station Development by Onni Group could see as many as 8 towers flanking Gilmore Station with 1 million square feet of retail space.  The following is an excerpt  from Onni's website describing the upcoming development at the corner of Gilmore Ave and Lougheed Hwy.

With over 12 acres of high-density mixed-use retail, office and residential development conveniently located at the Gilmore SkyTrain Station, the master-planned Gilmore Station community will soon be an exciting new urban centre for Burnaby. Located at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and Gilmore Avenue, this vibrant high-traffic retail community promises to be a draw for neighbouring communities, passers-by, and residents alike. Its prime location adjacent to Brentwood Centre, also currently under massive redevelopment, means that the Gilmore Station community will truly be at the centre of Burnaby’s larger revitalization and urban growth master-plan.

Gilmore Station will have the potential to provide up to 2.5 million sq. ft. of residential development in over 5 high-rise towers. The first phase of up to 1.0 million sq. ft. of commercial space is preleasing now. Gilmore Station is set to become one of the most sought-after and visited urban centres in Burnaby and Metro Vancouver.

More of the writeup found here 

The graphic below from Onni's website gives the impression that no space will be spared right up to the sidewalks along Gilmore, Dawson and Lougheed.

Millennium project stalled

According to the following story in the Burnaby Now, a project by Millennium Development is either being delayed or has been taken off the shelf completely.  A Public Hearing on the project was to happen last week but was cancelled.

Proposed 46-storey tower in limbo

Olympic Village developer behind proposed highrise recently withdrawn from public hearing

By Stefania Seccia, Burnaby Now March 27, 2013

A proposal for what could potentially be one of Burnaby's tallest towers - standing at 46-storeys - was withdrawn at a recent public hearing held in council's chambers.

On March 19, three rezonings were up for public input, except for the highrise proposed for Gilmore Ave. with a three-storey townhouse podium facing Halifax Street and a two-storey residential amenity podium that included a rooftop swimming pool.
Coun. Colleen Jordan, who attended the public hearing, said she could not comment on why the proposed tower was withdrawn.
Now the proposal is in limbo - it will either go to a future public hearing with changes or not go ahead at all.
The site's developer is Millenium Development, which has also developed 10 other highrises in the city, including Mayfair Place, Belvedere and One University Crescent in the SFU community.
The award-winning company also designed and built the Olympic Village Community in Vancouver covering 25 acres with 21 multi-storey buildings and 70,000 square feet of retail space. It served as the Athletes' Village during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
According to a planning and building report from the Feb. 25 council meeting, the site is made up of three lots on Gilmore, which are currently zoned under the manufacturing and industrial district zoning. A deli and sausage manufacturer, a vacant car lot and an auto body repair shop occupy the lots now.
If the proposal went through public hearing and had been later approved by council, it would have been designated for a high-density, multiple family development part of the Brentwood Town Centre Development Plan.
Under the density bonus program, about $6.5 million would have been given to the city as a cash-in-lieu contribution for use toward a future community amenity - if the proposal was approved.
Jordan pointed out at the Feb. 25 council meeting that the developer had committed to providing the residents of up to 51 units two-zone transit passes for two years, twice the required secured bicycle parking and 34 electric vehicle plug-in stations, which would have included all necessary wiring, electrical transformer and mechanical ventilation modifications and four electric vehicles for the future strata corporation.
There was also intent to pursue green building practices by achieving a Silver (equivalency) rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
Adam Nour of Millenium Developments did not respond to the Burnaby Now's request for comment by press deadline.
For more information about the developer, visit www.milleniumdevelopment.com.

© Copyright (c) Burnaby Now

Public hearing for project next to Aviara

CORRECTION March 19

:

Somebody kindly pointed out the fact that I have been confusing 2 different projects as 1 project that I've believed to be the Aviara development.  In fact, the article below is a project that is separate from the Aviara development and is being built by Ledingham McAllister.  This project will involve the expansion of the Willingdon Heights Community Centre land as Douglas road is take taken up by the expanded park space.  The Aviara project is situated next to this project.


The project will go to public hearing on March 19 at Burnaby City Hall at 7pm.  The project will include a 340 unit high rise tower at Halifax and Gilmore.

Burnaby Now article below:

46-storey highrise goes to public hearing

Four rezonings could see more than 500 new housing units built

By Stefania Seccia, Burnaby Now March 8, 2013

A proposed 46-storey highrise apartment building on Gilmore Avenue is up for discussion at a public hearing this month.
On March 19, the public will be able to look at plans for the site, which include the proposed tower with a three-storey townhouse podium facing Halifax Street and a two-storey residential amenity podium on Gilmore Avenue that includes a rooftop swimming pool, which will require rezoning. The tower is expected to have about 340 apartment units.
"The proposed development concept provides a strong street-oriented relationship to its two bounding street frontages, as well as a strong contextual relationship to surrounding existing and planned development," states Lou Pelletier, Burnaby's director of planning and building, in his report to council. "Overall, the subject proposal is considered to exemplify exceptional urban design and architectural expression related to the building's sit-ing, massing, pedestrian orientation and materiality; meeting the standard expected."
The site is made up of three lots on Gilmore, which are currently zoned under the manufacturing and industrial district zoning. A deli and sausage manufacturer, a vacant car lot and an auto body repair shop currently occupy the lots. If approved, the site will be designated for a high-density, multiple family development part of the Brentwood Town Centre Development Plan.
"The site is also considered suitable for the proposed development given its strategic location in relation to the Millenium SkyTrain line and the nearby Gilmore SkyTrain line," the report states.
The proposal calls for a progressive landscape treatment for the bounding streets, including separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Gilmore Avenue and separated sidewalks along Halifax Street.
"The landscape design also provides for on-site pedestrian lighting and a lit public pedestrian pathway along the south property line to be protected by statutory right-of-way, providing access to Gilmore Avenue for the residents of the Marquis Grand at 4132 Halifax St."
If approved, under the density bonus program, about $6.5 million will be taken by the city as a cash-in-lieu contribution for use toward a future community amenity. Twenty per cent of the total ($1.3 million) will be allocated to the affordable/special needs housing sub-account and the remainder will be available for future community amenities, including park improvements and housing, according to the report.
The developer has committed to providing the residents of up to 51 units two-zone transit passes for two years, twice the required secured bicycle parking and 34 electric vehicle plug-in stations, which will include all necessary wiring, electrical transformer and mechanical ventilation modifications and four electric vehicles for the future strata corporation.
Coun. Colleen Jordan said obtaining these extra elements comes from the staff's hard work cooperating with the developer.
"They try to think outside the box and incorporate these novel ideas," she said.
Jordan said bonuses such as electric car plug-ins and transit passes makes a difference to buyers.
The developer intends to pursue green building practices by achieving a Silver (equivalency) rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
The public hearing will also see the plans for three other projects, including two projects that will sit next to each other on Lane Street.
The first phase of the site will have 185 units built over three lots at 5401 and 5437 Lane St. and 5390 Grimmer St.
The second phase will be built on the adjacent property, 5309 Lane St. It will see an 80-apartment unit, four-storey mixed-use development.
Another site seeking rezoning is a stacked townhouse development on Kingsway Avenue, which will be three-storeys in height, with 20 three-bedroom townhouse units and underground parking.
The public hearing is on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in city hall chambers.

© Copyright (c) Burnaby Now

Pedestrian safety a growing concern

The following story in the Burnaby Now highlights the dangers faced by pedestrians, including children, on a daily basis in Burnaby.  The stretch of Gilmore in front of Kitchener Elementary School does not have a curb separating the road from the sidewalk which incidentally is made of gravel.  From reading the story, there are differing views on the level of safety that exists around the school.  On the one side, there are parents and children that say they are faced with dangerous drivers while walking to school with their children whereas the City of Burnaby's David Kilpatrick says that safety has improved because a new drop-off area has been created behind the school.  It looks like he's forgotten about the children that walk to school.

Close calls spark demand for improvements

Parents say drivers are speeding through crosswalk

By Jennifer Moreau, Burnaby Now January 25, 2012

Read more: http://www.burnabynow.com/Close+calls+spark+demand+improvements/6048464/story.html#ixzz1kX0GCjHC]
Parents at Kitchener Elementary who are worried for their children's safety want improved visibility around the school's crosswalk.
"The issue is the cars are obviously going too fast along Gilmore, north and south, and our little crossing is right in the middle of Gilmore," said Melody Eng, chair of the school's parent advisory council. "We feel the crosswalk isn't what it could be. . We'd like to see the crossing made more visible and safer."
Kitchener is in the Willingdon Heights area and faces Gilmore Avenue. The main crosswalk in front of the school is marked with standard signs that the city provides for local schools, but Eng said it's not enough to slow traffic.
"If you stand out there, you can see how fast the traffic goes," she said. "People are whizzing by."
Eng said drivers could go right through the crosswalk and not see a child stepping out into the street, and there has been at least one case where a child was almost hit by a driver.
About two months ago, Claude Tani was walking his seven-year-old daughter to school when she was nearly struck.
"She was walking in front of me, she stepped out on the crosswalk and a car came zooming by, and I had to pull her back," he said.
One night, Tani and another parent were almost hit while leaving a PAC meeting at the school.
"Both of us had to run off the crosswalk to get out of the way, because the car didn't slow down at all," he said.
The school has had help from volun-teers with a Speed Watch program at the community policing office on Hastings. They stand with radar guns and a sign that tells people how fast they are going and to slow down if they are over the speed limit. People who speed get their licence-plate numbers written down and the community policing office sends out warning letters. Occasionally, RCMP will issue tickets if they are on site. Kitchener also has student crossing guards out after school.
To make matters worse, vehicles parked around the school can limit visibility around the crosswalk, so the City of Burnaby has put up some barricades to limit parking. The parents have also asked for better crosswalk signage from the school district.
Eng has two children attending Kitchener and has been working on this problem for four years. Parents are often out in front of the school, putting out pylons to prevent further parking congestion.
"Every morning, we are out there at 8 a.m.," she says, "It's all on us, its up to the parents to do something. . We're very vocal, it just seems that things don't seem to get done."
David Kilpatrick works for the City of Burnaby's bylaw enforcement office and focuses on traffic safety. He's visited Kitchener to enforce traffic bylaws but hasn't had to issue any tickets since the parking barricades went in last year.
"Kitchener is one of 42 elementary schools I have been going to for a lot of years, but that school has inherent challenges for traffic that are consistent with a lot of schools," he said.
Part of the problem is Gilmore Avenue has a lot of traffic, it's on a hill and there are no curbs in the school block.
Parents dropping kids off in front of the school can be a dangerous practice, Kilpatrick said. It's better to drop them off a block away or in existing designated drop-off areas, he added.
"At the end of the day, the safety around the school really has to do with the attitude of the parents and the drivers alike," he said. "They have to develop and foster an awareness of the concerns when the kids are out in traffic."
Kilpatrick said there's a new set of stairs at the back of the school, installed last summer, where parents can drop their kids off.
"Since that occurred, I've seen a definite improvement," he said.
www.twitter.com/
JenniferMoreau

© Copyright (c) Burnaby Now

Read more: http://www.burnabynow.com/Close+calls+spark+demand+improvements/6048464/story.html#ixzz1kX0OTn00

Prep for Aviara has begun

Another development by Ledingham McAllister began preparation this past summer with the levelling of a warehouse on the southeast corner of Gilmore Ave and Douglas Rd.  The longtime presence of the Fiji Canada Association at the corner of Douglas Rd and Halifax St will be gone as the property it has occupied for over 2 decades was sold by the Association to McAllister Properties on December 8, 2009.

McAllister Properties in turn sold the property to LM Aviara Properties which leased the property back to the Association, rent free for 1 year.  The Association has been looking for a new home while it has been allowed to continue renting the building on a temporary basis.  A sign advertising the future Aviara development has been installed at Douglas and Gilmore as well as at Douglas and Halifax.

The project is described on the City of Burnaby site under Major Projects as being a residential high-rise, townhousing, and public park expansion at 1680 & 1710 Gilmore Ave and 1771, 1779 & 1791 Douglas Rd which will include 235 residential units.  The project will also involve the closing of Douglas Rd to allow Willingdon Heights Park to take up the closed portion of the road space.  The project, referenced as REZ # 07-59, is at the second reading stage.