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Burnaby's first rental-zoning proposal coming to public hearing

Three-storey, 25-unit building proposed for 18th Avenue
burnabyrental
New Vista Society wants to build a three-storey, 25-unit non-market rental building | Photo: Contributed

The first application of Burnaby’s new rental zoning bylaws will come to a public hearing on Tuesday, July 30. 

If approved by council, a rezoning of 7898 18th Ave. would create the first RM3r lot in the city – the “r” subcategory would restrict the property to rental-only tenure, preventing future stratification. 

The proposal would see 25 non-market rental apartments built in a three-storey structure on the city-owned land. New Vista Society plans to build and operate the project with some funding from BC Housing and subsidies from the city’s community benefit bonus housing fund.

Approximately half the units will be available at rates geared to tenants’ income, 20 per cent will be rented at shelter rates to seniors and families on income assistance and 30 per cent will be rented at market-average rates, according to city staff.  

The proposed building would include three studio, 11 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and three three-bedroom units. Sixteen of the units would be adaptable for use by a disabled tenant. 

New Vista hopes to lease the property from Burnaby for 60 years at a “nominal rate.” The terms of the lease will be considered by council at a future meeting, according to a city staff report. 

The public hearing begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 in council chambers at Burnaby City Hall (4949 Canada Way). 

There are four items up for discussion that night: a three-storey office building on Gilmore Way, a three-storey, four-unit apartment building on Hastings Street,  a three-storey, four-unit apartment building on Pender Street and a bylaw that would require more parking spaces for disabled people in new developments. 

Burnaby Now