Skip to content

Passive House triplex proposed in New West

Council in brief
Triplex2
A triplex meeting Passive House standards is being proposed in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood.

An environmentally friendly triplex is being proposed in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood.

The city has received a rezoning application to allow a triplex to be built at 817 St. Andrews St. On Dec. 13, council directed staff to process the rezoning application.

According to a preliminary report to council, the project has been designed to Passive House standards and would be seeking Passive House certification. The proposed strata development would consist of two units facing the front of the property and one unit facing the rear of the site.

A 1926 Craftsman style house that’s located on the site has been deemed to be in “particularly poor condition” and would be demolished as part of the site’s redevelopment, said the report.

“Given the applicant’s intent to develop a passive house building, the project would be incompatible with a heritage retention project,” said the report. “This project features other benefits, including the creation of missing middle housing and energy-efficient construction, which are considered to outweigh the heritage considerations on this project.”

According to Passive House Canada, Passive House (Passivhaus) is considered to be the most rigorous voluntary energy-based standard in the design and construction industry today. Passive house buildings consume up to 90% less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.

Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
Email tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca