midweek edition WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27, 2010
Vol. 101 No. 86 • Established 1908 •East
34
Library fetish fest Going the distance
35
Two towers may rise from old Opsal Steel site Residential site will reach 26 storeys Naoibh O’Connor Staff writer
The dilapidated Opsal Steel building on Second Avenue was built in 1918.
photo Dan Toulgoet
A two-tower residential development at the historic Opsal Steel site on Second Avenue is poised to go ahead after years of planning. Bastion Development Corporation is behind the project, which will feature two residential highrises with commercial and retail amenities, and a restored Opsal Steel building. One tower will reach 26 storeys at the corner of Second and Quebec. The shorter tower will be at Ontario and Second. The land where the car wash sits is not included in the development. The dilapidated Opsal Steel building is considered a prime example of early industrial construction and reflects the neighbourhood’s
industrial history. It was designed and built by Dominion Construction in 1918 and was originally home to the Columbia Block and Tool Company. It’s fallen into disrepair over the years with large holes in the roof. Scaffolding was erected to protect pedestrians from falling debris. Heritage Vancouver listed Opsal Steel on its October 2009 update on endangered sites, describing it as “a unique West Coast variant of the standard foundry building design originating from the late 19th century industrial design.” It was part of the industrial hub on the south side of False Creek, according to Heritage Vancouver, which stated “It’s all timber construction and cladding gives it its unique West Coast interpretation.” See DEVELOPERS on page 4
Residents voice laneway housing concerns at city hall Lack of notification rankles some neighbours Cheryl Rossi Staff writer
Laneway housing kept residents, city staff and councillors at city hall until 11 p.m. last Thursday, Oct. 21. “We think that, generally, things are working pretty well,” said Heike Roth, a senior planner
with the city. “And we agree with the public that there is room for looking at some improvements.” The key concerns of the 30 residents who addressed council were upper storey heights and the desire for notification, Roth said. Roth said the city is considering making one-storey laneway homes more viable on standard
lots, possibly through the extension of laneway homes several feet into backyards. The allowable overall building height could be reduced on larger lots through a reduction in unit size or enclosed parking or storage space. But a staff report presented to council Oct. 21 didn’t include a recommendation about more
notification for neighbours for laneway development applications. The lack of notice rankled residents including Peter Selnar, a member of the Dunbar Residents Association. “It is ironic that in order for a property owner to build a deck or enclose a porch, neighbours are notified and their input is con-
sidered prior to issuing a building permit, yet a two-storey high building with far greater impact requires no such process,” Selnar told the city. Council will consider recommendations by staff and the public at its regular council meeting Nov. 2. See MONTHLY on page 4
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT! WWW.VANCOURIER.COM