The proposal for Vancouver's first co-housing community inched closer to reality October 9 when it gained unanimous approval from the City of Vancouver's urban design panel (UDP).
Project proponent Cedar Cottage Cohousing Corp. (CCCC) received rezoning approval for the project, located on East 33rd Avenue near Victoria Drive, in March.
"Next we hope to receive a development permit and begin construction early next year for completion in early 2015," said Lorne Mallin, who is a member of Vancouver Co-housing, which is the group that will live in the project.
CCCC wants to build 31 units on three 220-feet deep single-family lots. Two of those units will be rental.
Unlike co-operative housing, where all people rent, members of co-housing developments tend to own their suites. Co-housing communities also place a higher priority on resident interaction.
Many condominium buildings have common rooms, shared spaces such as lobbies and mailrooms and laundry rooms.
Co-housing developments also have shared:
- woodworking rooms;
- children's rooms;
- rooms for teens; and
- kitchens.
"Co-housing is a unique form of collaborative housing featuring individually owned homes plus extensive common areas," Mallin said.
The three-storey project includes a common house that is more than 6,000 square feet, a courtyard, rooftop gardens and underground parking.
Co-housing developments already exist in Langley, Burnaby and North Vancouver.
