Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The transformation of downtown Chilliwack due to the popular District 1881 redevelopment is having a ripple effect on the surrounding area. That's the concept behind a proposal to build a six-storey mixed-use apartment building and five-storey freestanding parkade near the corner of Young Road and Gore Avenue, across from the downtown CIBC branch. The goal is to enhance the overall look of the corner of Young and Gore where the Downtown Business Centre now sits.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Young Road mixed-use development

Mixed-use development aims to revitalize an intersection, Young Rd. street front in downtown Chilliwack

Nov 15, 2023 | 10:39 AM

CHILLIWACK — The transformation of downtown Chilliwack due to the popular District 1881 redevelopment is having a ripple effect on the surrounding area.

That’s the concept behind a proposal to build a six-storey mixed-use apartment building and five-storey freestanding parkade near the corner of Young Road and Gore Avenue, across from the downtown CIBC branch. The goal is to enhance the overall look of the corner of Young and Gore where the Downtown Business Centre now sits.

The project, which has a long way to go before it comes to Chilliwack council for their review and consideration, would be built on five properties located at 9232 Young Road, 9240 Young Road, 46001 Gore Avenue, and 46002 and 46010 Princess Avenue in downtown Chilliwack.

Of note, Room By Room Furniture at 9232 Young Road is located where the proposed six-storey building would be built.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Room By Room Furniture is pictured on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 9232 Young Road in downtown Chilliwack. There is a mixed-use development being considered for 9232 Young Road, 9240 Young Road, 46001 Gore Avenue, and 46002 and 46010 Princess Avenue. It has not been approved by Chilliwack council yet.

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The address of 9240 Young Road is the Downtown Business Centre. It is not known if the Downtown Business Centre has any remaining tenants. A Google search suggests the centre is permanently closed; its phone number of 604-392-6668 has been disconnected and is no longer in service, but its website domain is still active.

According to minutes of the Design Review Advisory Committee meeting from October 17, 2023, city staff provided a presentation about this application for the form and character of a new six-storey building including an overview of the proposal, location map, ortho map, site plan, proposed elevations, landscaping and recommendations. A Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) report was prepared in conjunction with this application.

Committee members noted a lack of information provided with respect to the colour and materials board. Discussion ensued with respect to a children’s amenity area, the proposed materials within the east elevation, the colour palette on the fifth and sixth storeys, and the design details of the parkade, according to the minutes.

The committee ultimately asked for the housing application to be referred to city staff in order for the unidentified applicant to undertake the following:

• that a complete colour and materials board be provided to accurately demonstrate the overall appearance of the development;
• that a universally accessible play structure be incorporated into the rooftop common amenity area for use by future residents;
• that brick be included within the east elevation of the mixed-use building adjacent to the proposed lane to create consistency in relation to the use of materials throughout the building design;
• that a lighter accent colour be included on the 5th and 6th storeys of the mixed-use building to provide greater visual interest and reduce the overall massing of the structure; and,
• that greater detail be provided in regards to the parkade design, specifically in relation to the south elevation and how it integrates into the surrounding area.

A City of Chilliwack spokesperson advised Fraser Valley Today in an email Tuesday (Nov. 14) that city planning staff do not anticipate the application going before council anytime soon due to the logistics of road closure and lane relocation happening concurrently during construction. The project would still need to go through rezoning and variance at public hearings before it gets approved.