Staff strongly recommend keeping retail on Marinaside because it is the key to creating a unique urban experience at this prominent waterfront location. Concord and staff generally agree on a commercial pattern for Davie and Pacific that would provide for a supermarket and supportive retail at grade with restaurants and local serving office uses on the second floor accessed in ways that prevent internalization. If Council chooses to remove the retail from Marinaside Crescent, Engineering staff recommend that the beautification be reconsidered and the street treated as other residential streets. Concord wants to change the form of development from five terraced towers ranging in height from 22 to 32 storeys, to six point towers ranging in height from 21 to 34 storeys. The total number of housing units and floor area would not change from the approved zoning.
Staff support the new scheme because overall urban design and public amenity are improved.
Conditions in Appendix C will guide further design development through the Development Application process. Engineering staff will report to Council at the Public Hearing with details on accommodating a rapid transit alignment under the waterfront block. Staff recommend referral of the application to Public Hearing, subject to design refinements. Council direction is sought on the Marinaside retail issue. The only other location in False Creek North with mandatory retail is the Plaza of Nations.