The city will have more than $13.2 million in hand if a new highrise is allowed to spring up in Brentwood.
LM Aviara Communities has applied for a rezoning application to allow for a 52-storey highrise and two, four- or six-storey, low-rise apartment buildings over three lots including 1735, 1763 Douglas Rd. and 1710 Gilmore Ave.
Staff has recommended council take the $13.2 million density bonus as a cash-in-lieu contribution to use towards a community amenity. About $10.6 million of the bonus will go towards the Brentwood Town Centre financial account, and $2.6 million will go towards the city’s affordable or special needs housing account.
“Special consideration was given to the (site), scale and orientation of the buildings on site in order to maximize open space and spatial separation between buildings and to provide improved sightlines through the site,” said Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, in his report. “The site is large enough to accommodate up to three residential towers of approximately 25 storeys in height.”
The applicant and project consultants were encouraged to maximize density in a low-rise form and pursue only one tower “in consideration of sightline objectives for existing development in the south,” according to the report.
About 595 apartment units are being proposed, and the developer has committed to pursue green building practices by achieving a silver rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
The proposal includes separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Gilmore and Douglas, and separated sidewalks on Halifax Street.
“A significant public art piece will be provided at the corner of Gilmore Avenue and Halifax Street, acting as a strong visual reference to the proposed development and as a gateway element into the Brentwood Town Centre,” Pelletier said in the report.
