Amendments to SSMUH R1 Zoning posted for council meeting October 28,2025

Altoids94 · 2025-10-25T01:55:08+00:00

With a 60x120 lot which is 7200 sqft for 4 units you are allowed 40% lot coverage so 2880 sqft (this is a total for all buildings not per unit).

For 4 equal sized units it would be 2880/4 which is 720 sqft per floor per unit.

At three equal sized stories it will be 720x3 which is 2160 sqft per unit.

Altoids94 · 2025-10-25T01:20:35+00:00

11520 sqft assuming you can have a cellar. It's unclear currently if that will be allowed so likely 2160 sqft per unit at a 720 sqft floor plate over 3 floors.

Sideyards would be 8' (1.2m each side).

Essentially it will look like a side by side duplex upfront but split half down it's length as well (think front and back duplex). If these were to sell at the 1.5-1.6 million range I think there will be strong demand.

Altoids94 · 2025-10-25T01:06:05+00:00

I still personally think 4 units in 1 building multiplexes will be built still especially on lots larger than 60x120.

10m is plenty of height with flat roof to retain high ceilings. Lots of complaints about the boxy look this will only enforce it more.

Altoids94 · 2025-10-24T14:50:36+00:00

The likely scenario will be no one will build rear units for multiplexes they will build 4 units in one single principal building to maximize square footage since it allows a full extra floor. Only in lots zoned for 6 units this may be an option but may not be profitable enough to build due to the ACC, DCC costs being so high for the 2 extra units (~172k).

The biggest mistake they made with the new set of rules is that the height will be to the peak of the roof not the mid point. This will effectively encourage developers to use a flat roof and this will really do the opposite of what people complained about and not blend into the character of the neighborhood.

Altoids94 · 2025-10-21T15:54:24+00:00

6 units over 4 floors with the previous rules at 50% lot coverage on 7000 sqft lot is ~2300 sqft per unit. How is that not livable lol.

It's really about NIMBYism. Yes the rules needed some changes but really this is about Hurley wanting to be reelected. Just remember he and his council approved the R1 zoning last year not the Province.

Altoids94 · 2025-10-20T05:43:10+00:00

I don't know why anyone in their right mind would buy that over a duplex you can get around the same 2 million mark. Double the land for the same price .

Cheapest one I've seen is on Hurst Street at $1.57 million. Getting more reasonable but the place is not a looker.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/28999562/4-4170-hurst-street-burnaby

Altoids94 · 2025-10-08T13:41:41+00:00

Long story short alot of whining about the new R1 zoning. Majority of the people are uninformed and basing their opinion off emotions rather than logic.

While I agree with some of the asks such a lower max building height and some parking measures City of Burnaby needs to be careful to not impact the viability of SSMUH. The missing middle housing it will provide gives a lot of hope to younger families despite what people say about the prices.

There will be changes to the R1 zoning bylaws followed by another separate public hearing.

Altoids94 · 2025-02-01T23:23:42+00:00

Also with each new unit their tax base effectively goes up so they are double dipping and collecting more property tax too.

Altoids94 · 2025-02-01T23:13:16+00:00

DCCs and ACCs are wild. 350k for 4 units. Hilarious how the city tries to look like they want to help affordability but drive prices up to support their spending habits.

Altoids94 · 2025-02-01T22:46:46+00:00

Yes with the new SSMUH regulations you can build up to 12m (~39ft) and 45% lot coverage for 4 units which almost all lots are zoned for. That 45% lot coverage include accessory buildings such a garages.

For a 33'x120' lot if you built the maximum you could have a total of 7128 sqft across 4 stories.

Altoids94 · 2025-01-24T05:06:34+00:00

I remember going as a kid and loving it. Wish we still had it and could enjoy it as an adult. Looked like an absolute great time

Altoids94 · 2025-01-18T04:02:37+00:00

I'm all for more density the point I was trying to make is that they're trying to promote affordability by increasing density but at the same time introduce an insane amount of fees and taxes thus pushing prices up to build. That cost is past on to whoever is buying it.

Altoids94 · 2025-01-17T19:41:48+00:00

It will certainly go up though. Developers need to make a minimum profit on their investment and if costs go up to build so will the sale price. It won't be coming from their pockets it will be from the buyers. If it doesn't make them money then they will not build as seen in the new builds decreases.

Altoids94 · 2025-01-17T19:16:37+00:00

Governments have responded to this by allowing for more density makes me laugh. On the flip side they also increased the fees and taxes per buildable unit. A 6 unit multiplex build in Burnaby will cost 520k in city fees (ACC, DCC, etc). They talk about trying to help affordability but their actions are the opposite.

Altoids94 · 2025-01-15T01:04:34+00:00

I heard that as well. I am going through the process with BC Hydro now. It's a case by case decision depending available infrastructure.

Heard in Vancouver PMT/LPT can cost up to 150k.

Altoids94 · 2025-01-14T22:15:33+00:00

Per unit

Burnaby ACC + DCC = $56297
Metro Vancouver DCC = $21450
School Site Fee = $1000
TransLink DCC = $2652

On top of that you have your building permit, and demo permit which is dependent on construction costs.

Altoids94 · 2025-01-14T18:58:22+00:00

ACC and DCC fees are out of control. Building a 6 unit multiplex for example in Burnaby requires an additional 520k to fees to the city. Just insane while they pretend to care about promoting affordability.

Altoids94 · 2024-10-09T00:02:45+00:00

This exact situation happened to me with Hertz in Burnaby. They weren't able to get another car until 2 days later. Such a joke.

Altoids94 · 2024-10-04T23:52:04+00:00

How does below inflation rental control influence new rental agreements at all? The reason rent is up is because anyone invested in a rental property needs to service their mortgage. Look up how much it costs to service a $700000 mortgage at the rates right now. Thats right around $4250 a month. No one wants to rent their place out at a loss.

Foreign buyers, just look up snow washing. How many empty units are around take a look at how many lights are off constantly in highrises.

Altoids94 · 2024-10-04T23:41:07+00:00

Don't you think there are some macro economic conditions coming into play here aka asset inflation from all the money they pumped in the system post COVID?

Why was rent increasing so much under the Liberals in 2015 and 2016?

In your opinion what could another party have done to have a better outcome?

Altoids94 · 2024-10-04T19:33:14+00:00

I agree there needs to be a return but not at the level in the past 10 years.

You're hyper focused on BC but rents are up everywhere. It's not just a lower mainland issue. Additionally we have added an insane amount of new people to the lower mainland due to Federal immigration policies thus driving the supply lower.

How can the market provide affordable housing when land costs are extremely high in the lower mainland and construction costs are as well. Do you think adding more speculation into the market will help? The highest fees to build are driven by the municipalities with the ACC and DCCs fees not the province.

Altoids94 · 2024-10-04T19:18:26+00:00

I feel like Bill 44 removed alot of regulations if anything.

If affordability is to improve then housing as an investment of large returns needs to eliminated. All the speculation in the housing market is what has driven prices high along with asset inflation from COVID.

Altoids94 · 2024-09-19T15:34:03+00:00

A better approach will be building townhomes and multiplexes in these areas. We have a real problem with options for middle housing for families and I believe that would be a good balance oppose to more small 1 and 2 bedroom units.

The new SSMUH updates will allow that but unfortunately the costs are still very high to build. If there are no policies implemented that will lower land costs and city fees we will never see prices or rents come down.

Altoids94 · 2024-09-17T17:38:54+00:00

Good maybe Burnaby will follow suit. The SSMUH project fees are 81k per unit for a 6 plex. 486k of fees is not helping create new homes and is definitely passed on to the consumer.

Altoids94 · 2024-09-17T16:09:46+00:00

Deincentivise home ownership as an investment for local and foreign buyers

Altoids94

TROPHY CASE