As expected, Beedie Development Group and Merrick Architecture have submitted another development application to the City for 105 Keefer Street after weathering council rejection and widespread community opposition. A drop in height from 12 to nine storeys is the primary alteration to the proposal, a figure that aligns with existing planning regulations, and means the proposal will not need to endure a rigorous rezoning exercise.

Three storeys have been chopped off the design, image via Merrick Architecture

The new application omits all mentions of social housing and asks for 111 market residential units, ground-level retail, and a seniors' cultural space. The prior proposal had proposed 110 market residential units and 25 social housing units for seniors. The elimination of social housing units brings the building within the range of existing zoning policies, allowing Beedie to skip the rezoning process and apply directly for a development application.

The rejected proposal, image via Merrick Architecture

The design is largely the same as the rejected application it succeeds, lopping off the top glass-wrapped levels to reduce the height, but keeping the grid-like design of the facade. The newest application is the slimmest yet of the five iterations that the public has seen. Vancouver City Council rejected the previous version by a vote of eight to three in June.

The new proposal as viewed from Columbia Street, image via Merrick Architecture

Beedie's latest application stands the greatest chance yet of receiving approval. The community will have the opportunity to view and comment on the proposal at an open house on September 5 from 5 to 8 PM at the Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium, 50 East Pender Street.

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