Capstan Way projects approved by Richmond council
Civic politicians have approved a pair of housing developments set to transform the Capstan Way area of Richmond, despite the objections of airport officials.
City council unanimously approved third reading of rezoning applications from Concord Pacific and Pinnacle International at a public hearing last week.
Proposed are a series of high-rise and mid-rise buildings that would contain nearly half the 3,250 homes expected in the redeveloping area, near the north end of No. 3 Road.
Airport officials, however, say the properties are in an area “incompatible” for new homes, citing Transport Canada land use recommendations on aircraft noise.
Anne Murray, vice-president of community and environmental affairs for the Vancouver Airport Authority, said the area already faces aircraft noise—and flights in and out of Vancouver International Airport are only expected to increase.
“We do not support this rezoning application which would significantly increase the number of Richmond residents exposed to high levels of aircraft noise at their home,” she said in a letter submitted at the Feb. 20 hearing.
As a condition of city approval, the developers will be required to pay for a future Canada Line station at Capstan Way.
Concord is proposing to build a series of high-rises—stretching as high as 15 storeys—to accommodate 1,245 condominiums over 3.3 hectares (eight acres). Of those, 61 would be low-end market rental housing and 20 would be low-end market rental studio units for artists.
Pinnacle International is seeking approval for a smaller project—200 units anchored by a 14-storey high-rise—as its first phase of a 1,700-home vision.
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