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2009 SFUCT Year End Report
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1
SFU Community Trust Year End Report 2009
How do we create financial and community value in a challenging local market?
Through a commitment to our goals and strategic investment that lays the groundwork for future growth.
2
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
For those who followed the trajectory of the Vancouver real estate market in 2009 it will come as
no surprise that the past year presented some significant challenges for SFU Community Trust in
developing UniverCity. A significant slowdown in local markets that began in late 2008 took away
any demand for development sites in the first three quarters of 2009. The Trust responded by
reexamining core and discretionary spending plans in an attempt to weather a downturn that we
expected would last through 2009 and perhaps beyond.
Our strategy was a simple yet necessary one: defer all infrastructure spending that was not
immediately required to meet existing commitments; while at the same time continuing planning
work to allow for quick reengagement when market demand returned.
By the fourth quarter of 2009, increased affordability in the housing market (brought on by price
decreases earlier in the year and significant interest rate reductions made by the Bank of Canada)
encouraged buyers to return to the market, and along with them came renewed interest in
development sites. UniverCity saw significant interest in its sites during the fourth quarter, and
I am very pleased to report that, as of the end of 2009, we now have a completed lease transaction
on one development parcel and a signed offer to lease on another - both are scheduled to be under
construction in the spring or summer of 2010.
While 2009 was a challenging year for the Trust, UniverCity was able to take advantage of a
very quick turnaround in the local real estate market for two very important reasons: One, our
willingness to balance fiscal restraint with continued preparation for future growth; and two, our
ongoing commitment to creating exceptional value through the development of this community.
Past investment and planning decisions such as our support for the elementary school, the
implementation of our urban design and green building guidelines, and the development of a
vibrant retail area along the High Street add significantly to the attractiveness of the community,
for developers as well as residents.
As we move into 2010, we will continue to build on the value that has been created here in the
past to make the coming year a very successful one. We look forward to creating additional value
in the community directly through the completion of the Phase 3 rezoning and development of
parcels 27 and 28, as well as indirectly through the opening of the Nesters Community Market,
the completion of the elementary school, the development of a new childcare centre, and the
upgrades to Richard Bolton Park.
Gordon Harris
President and CEO
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SFU COMMUNITY TRUSTWho We Are 4WhAt We Do 4Why We Do It 4 the Four Cornerstones 5
UNIVERCITY IN 2009 MAnAgIng unCertAInty WhIle keepIng CoMMItMents 6 settIng the stAge For Future groWth 8responDIng QuICkly to IMprovIng ConDItIons 10ContInuIng to BuIlD vAlue In 2010 12
TELLING THE UNIVERCITY STORY IN 2009 AWArDs 15 ConFerenCes 15 MeDIA hIghlIghts 16
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION BoArD oF DIreCtors 18 other stAkeholDer groups 19the trust teAM 20 ACknoWleDgeMents 21 key ConsultAnts 21
44
SFU COMMUNITY TRUST
Who We AreSFU Community Trust (the Trust)
manages the development of UniverCity
on Burnaby Mountain, a model sustainable
community neighbouring Canada’s
leading comprehensive university,
Simon Fraser University (SFU) in
Burnaby, British Columbia. Acting
as trustee of the lands that comprise
UniverCity, the Trust oversees the
provision of zoned, serviced, subdivided
sites to private sector developers on a
prepaid leasehold basis.
WhAt We DoDeveloped through a collaborative and
integrated planning process, UniverCity
is designed to be a compact, mixed-use
and transit-oriented community founded
on principles of sustainability.
The groundwork for UniverCity was
laid in 1963, when Arthur Erickson and
Geoff Massey submitted their initial
plan for SFU. Complementing their
vision for the mountaintop campus, this
plan saw the new university anchoring
a dense residential community. In 1996
SFU agreed to transfer 332 hectares of
University-owned land to the City of Burnaby to form part of the
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. In return, the city approved
an Official Community Plan (OCP), in 1996, allowing SFU to begin
developing a residential community.
Throughout each stage of its design and development, the Trust has
worked with key stakeholders to ensure that the new community
would integrate residential, commercial, and academic uses in a
manner that benefits the University as well as advancing innovative
solutions to sustainable community building. UniverCity is currently
home to nearly 3,000 residents and will accommodate more than
10,000 when fully built out.
While most parcels will accommodate owned and rental market
housing, some parcels will be developed as non-market housing in
order to produce housing for a broad spectrum residents. Additionally,
there are four mixed-used parcels along University High Street (two
of which have been developed) that combine residential development
with office and retail uses in order to meet the day-to-day needs of
residents and an expanding campus community.
Why We Do ItSFU Community Trust has two primary goals in developing the
UniverCity community: first, to create a model of sustainable
community development on Burnaby Mountain that supports
university life as well as contributes to the creation of a more
sustainable society; and second, to establish and grow an endowment
fund in support of teaching and research at SFU.
5
the Four CornerstonesUniverCity has been developed as a model sustainable urban
community, internationally recognized for its innovations in green
building and community design. The community is founded on four
‘Cornerstones of Sustainability’ - Environment, Equity, Economy and
Education. These four cornerstones can be summarized as follows:
Education
• Enhance university life, academic structure and activities;
• Create a model sustainable community that educates and inspires.
Equity
• Create a healthy, safe, livable and complete community;
• Provide an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures.
Economy
• Maximize the long-term value of SFU’s Endowment Fund;
• Encourage opportunities for commercial and community development.
Environment
• Provide a range of transportation choices;
• Preserve and improve the natural heritage of Burnaby Mountain;
• Provide sustainable and efficient infrastructure, public spaces,
and buildings
66
UNIVERCITY IN 2009
The beginning of 2009 saw the
continuation of a pronounced slow-down
in regional housing demand that began
in 2008. Forecasts indicated that this
decline in economic growth and housing
market activity might persist for some
time. In response, the Trust and its Board
of Directors began a process of assessing
project expenditures. The aim was to
limit current year infrastructure and
related spending to meet only the
Trust’s pre-existing commitments.
Working closely with the Finance
Committee of the Board of Directors,
Trust staff identified more than $30
million in infrastructure and related
spending that could be deferred to
decrease the Trust’s financial risk.
Projects that moved forward in 2009
either had previous legal commitments to
assist our development partners, or were
required to maintain goodwill with the
UniverCity community.
Among the activities that did go
ahead in early 2009, one of the most
significant was the completion of
the public realm fronting the Hub
development project as it neared
completion. Prior to the move-in of
new residents into the Hub in June
and July of 2009, the Trust completed
significant upgrades to High Street,
Tower Road, Cornerstone Gate and
the Cornerstone Mews. In addition to
allowing for occupancy of the Hub, this
work significantly enhanced the overall
look and feel of the retail precinct of
the community.
MAnAgIng unCertAInty WhIle keepIng CoMMItMents
77
With the completion of the Hub, the Trust
also completed the purchase of Hub retail
space and associated parking. As with
the Cornerstone, purchase of this space
is funded through retail rents and will
represent a significant revenue source for
the University once the debt is retired.
Occupying this space will be UniverCity’s
new grocery store, pharmacy and café, by
Nesters Market.
In July 2009, Nesters moved into their
space and began tenant improvements
with a scheduled opening in January 2010
2009 also brought confirmation of funding
by the Ministry of Education for the new
elementary school. The elementary school
has been a long-standing commitment
of the Trust and represented a vital
expenditure, even in this period of cost
reductions. The Trust’s participation
through a contribution of $1.25 million
was a catalyst to kickstart this important
community facility, a partnership by the
Province of BC, the Burnaby Board of
Education, the City of Burnaby, and SFU
Community Trust.
The Trust has been working closely with
the Burnaby Board of Education in the
development of the new school since
the project approval was announced by
MLA Harry Bloy in January of 2009 .
The project is now well underway with
significant renovation and site works
completed. The project is on schedule for
the school to open in September 2010.
As part of the elementary school project,
the Trust identified a number of related
works that needed to get done. These
included road work along Tower Road
fronting the school site and a number
of upgrades to Richard Bolton Park—
these include new play equipment and
a new multi-use pathway—which needed
to be underway concurrent with school
site excavation.
8
settIng the stAge For Future groWthWhile 2009 was very much about thrift and minimizing financial risk,
it was also a year to identify and plan for future expansion. While the
past year saw an emphasis placed on initiatives that represented
commitments made by the Trust, the Trust continued to pursue a policy
of readiness and flexibility in order to be ready to respond to local
market conditions.
A decision was made early in 2009 to delay submission of UniverCity’s
Phase 3 rezoning application due to the large cost and credit
obligations that the rezoning would trigger. It was felt that it would
be unwise to assume these costs without corresponding revenue from
parcel leasing. However, Trust staff continued working with the
City of Burnaby to ensure that application could be reactivated once
it became clear that demand for residential sites had returned.
The Trust maintained plans for addressing infrastructure
deficiencies in an effort to decrease outstanding Letters of Credit
obligations with the City of Burnaby. This will remove constraints
on approximately $1.5 million in lending capacity currently
impacted by bonding requirements.
Design work also continued on the
new childcare centre. As this project
is required by the City of Burnaby to
be underway prior to any new parcel
development, design work continuing
through 2009 allowed the Trust to
move this project forward quickly in
the event of land lease activity.
With the completion of the Hub
development came the launch of
Vancouver-based artist Erica Stocking’s
Yellow Fence, a public art piece that uses
the individual townhouse gates along
Cornerstone Mews to mark the boundary
between public and private space.
Ms. Stockings work takes its inspiration
from wire meshed construction fencing to
provide a bold point of expression along
a public face of UniverCity’s most recent
mixed-use development.
9
Yellow Fence is the first work in a new
public art program at UniverCity aimed
at supporting artistic excellence through
partnerships between our developers
and the Trust. This unique program
engages emerging and established
artists in the creation of works that
generate dialogue and discussion about
community and sustainability.
The past year also saw the completion of a
new concept for the future redevelopment
of the Burnaby Mountain Transit Hub.
The approved design concept envisions
bus loading and unloading shifting from
the existing transit loop to a more urban
condition along East Campus Road and
University High Street. Buses will be
stored in a new structured facility to be
integrated into the future development
of Parcel 24. This will allow TransLink to
meet future demand for transit services
on Burnaby Mountain in a manner
that integrates the SFU campus and
UniverCity. The scheme is also flexible
enough to respond to the potential
development of a Burnaby Mountain
transit gondola. The proposed transit
hub will add costs to the development
of Parcel 24 and requires some redesign
of University High Street. Since the new
concept is not expected to be developed
for five to seven years, the next steps
require all three stakeholders, SFU
Community Trust, SFU, and TransLink
to identify future funding options for the
approved scheme.
In the meantime, TransLink will use
the existing bus loop to provide transit
services to the mountain. As the existing
loop is too small for the current volume
of buses, the Trust has agreed to allow
TransLink to use Highland Court as a
spillover bus storage location until the
final design is implemented.
10
responDIng QuICkly to IMprovIng ConDItIonsThroughout 2009, the Trust engaged in conversations with a large
number of developers regarding the leasing of parcels at UniverCity.
It was not until the third quarter of 2009 however, that market
conditions began to improve and these discussions started to move
toward formal offers to lease.
By the end of 2009, the Trust concluded a lease transaction for
Parcel 27 (located at the southeast corner of Tower Road and
University High Street), and had a signed conditional offer to
lease for Parcel 28 (located east of Parcel 27 along the south side
of University High Street). Both will be wood-frame projects of
four to five storeys in height, totaling an estimated 150 apartments
and townhomes.
The Trust’s timely response to changing market conditions in the
Lower Mainland grew from ongoing discussions with developers
throughout late 2008 and 2009. Previous decisions helped set the
stage for future land sales by ensuring that infrastructure works,
planning for the childcare, and an updated Phase 3 rezoning
submission were sufficiently advanced to take advantage of
changing market conditions.
In December 2009, the Trust resubmitted the rezoning application for
Phase 3 of the UniverCity community, with the aim to enacting
the zoning in the spring of 2010.
There are two variations to the previous Phase 3 zoning application.
The first is be the further subdivision of Parcel 22 into two sites to
allow for the planned childcare site, and a redesign of the potential
built form capacity of its new neighbouring residential parcel. The
second will be the consolidation of Parcel 23 and 24 into one large
High Street Parcel, similar to Parcel 25.
This will be done to accommodate the
needs of the future transit hub facility,
and to allow some flexibility in urban
form, density, and unit count.
The Phase 3 zoning also a new zoning
bylaw that will be the first in Canada
to call for specific and comprehensive
Green Building Requirements as part
of the city’s approval process. With the
enactment of this zoning, the buildings
developed at UniverCity are expected to
be 40% more efficient than traditional
buildings. The Trust has worked closely
with design and cost consultants to
ensure that these new standards do
not add more than 1% to the cost of
development, thus minimizing the
implications for our development
partners. As well, the zoning will allow
for an additional 10% density bonus for
developers seeking additional energy or
water management measures over and
above the basic requirements.
11
Parcel 36
Parcel 41
Parcel 37 Parcel 40
Parcel 38Parcel 39
Parcel 33Parcel 32
Parcel 31
Parcel 30
Parcel 27
Parcel 25
The Hub Parcel 15
Cornerstone
Town Square
Transit Hub Parcel24
Parcel 21
Parcel 19
Parcel 18
Parcel 17
Parcel 16
Parcel 20
Parcel 23Parcel 22Childcare
Future elementary school
One University Cresent
Verdant
Park
Serenity
Altaire
Novo Two
Aurora
Novo
Harmony
Parcel 28
Parcel 29
Parcel 35
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
PHASE 4
1212
ContInuIng to BuIlD vAlue In 2010The Trust is looking forward to the
official opening of the new UniverCity
Nesters Market in early January 2010.
Our partners at Buy-Low Foods
(operator of the Nesters Market chain)
have been hard at work completing their
UniverCity location. Once open, it will
feature a pharmacy and a café, making
it one of the largest stores in the Nesters
portfolio. The new store will feature
a merchandise mix tailored to the
UniverCity and SFU communities with
a higher proportion of local and organic
goods, and a wide array of prepared
foods for easy and convenient meals.
Early in the New Year, the existing Post
Office outlet located in the SFU-operated
MicroComputer Store will be relocated
to Nesters Market. This will benefit the
UniverCity community by expanding the
operating hours.
As already noted, one of the highlights
of 2010 will be the opening of the new
elementary school at UniverCity.
The school is being developed through
a partnership between the Trust, SFU,
the Burnaby Board of Education, the
City of Burnaby, and the BC Ministry of
Education. The school will be the first
school renovation in BC to be built to
a LEED® Gold standard of design and
operational efficiency. The school will
also feature a sustainability-focused
curriculum, which will use the building
and grounds to teach students about their
impact on the local environment.
Infrastructure works in 2010 will largely
be focused on preparation for development
of parcels 27 and 28. This will require the
construction of the Slopes Mews – running
parallel to University High Street. This
significant piece of infrastructure will pave
the way for future development of Parcel 29
in Phase 3, as well as allow for development
of parcel 30, 31, 33, and 40 as part of Phase 4.
1313
With the leasing of parcels 27 and 28, the Trust will move forward with
the final design and construction of the new childcare centre. Starting in
spring of 2010, the Trust will begin construction of this much-anticipated
and important community amenity. Once completed in 2011, the facility
(to be operated by the SFU Childcare Society) will offer an innovative
model of early childhood education to 50 resident three-to-five year
olds. The state of the art facility will be built as one the first buildings in
Canada to meet a Living Building standard. This leading-edge standard
of design, construction and operation will make it one of the most
sustainable structures in North America. Water used in the building will
be almost entirely recovered from rainwater or recycled from within the
building itself. Power will be generated on-site from renewable sources,
and building materials and methods used in its construction will meet
exacting thresholds to drastically reduce carbon impacts and improve
indoor air quality.
The Trust continues to move forward toward a sustainable
neighbourhood energy system for UniverCity. The goal is to create
a system that provides regulated utility service at a competitive
price for our future residents.
By developing a neighbourhood system,
the Trust is able to pursue alternative
energy supply systems for heat and
domestic hot water delivery. This will
significantly increase building energy
efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Having completed the feasibility study in
collaboration with a private-sector partner,
the Trust has identified a combination
of biomass (wood waste) and waste heat
recovery (from a future SFU data centre)
as the two most viable sources of energy
for the community. The next step in 2010
is the negotiation of an infrastructure
agreement that will allow for the design,
development, installation, and operation
of the regulated energy utility serving all
future developments.
14
During 2009, the Trust continued its
work with stakeholders to move the
Gondola Transit Project forward.
A significant milestone was the signing
of a Memorandum of Understanding
with TransLink regarding this project
that lays out each agency’s role and
outlines a process to achieve this exciting
transit link to the Millenium Skytrain line.
It also lays out a framework for future
cost sharing.
Looking forward to 2010, the Trust
expects to work with representatives
from TransLink, the BC Ministry of
Transportation, and the Government
of Canada to carry out further business
case development for this project with
an aim to receive approval for the
project and issuing a formal Request for
Qualifications in the coming year.
The Trust’s role in this project is, and
will continue to be, to facilitate the
implementation of the gondola transit
project at no significant cost to the Trust.
15
TELLING THE UNIVERCITY STORY IN 2009
Part of the mandate of the Trust is to educate the development
community and the general public on the many lessons learned
about sustainable community building at UniverCity.
In 2009, the Trust was able to highlight the project through various
awards and recognition for the work done to date. Conference
presentations, media mentions and profiles highlighting the unique,
innovative work occurring at UniverCity contributed to expanding
and solidifying awareness of the UniverCity Project, regionally,
nationally and internationally.
AWArDsThis year, the UniverCity project was honoured as a winner of the
Urban Land Institute’s Awards for Excellence: The Americas competition.
UniverCity was up against stiff competition for the honor with 140
other projects from across North and South America vying for recognition.
UniverCity was one of only 10 Projects to receive an award.
This year also saw Gordon Harris, SFU Community Trust’s President
and CEO, honoured with election to the College of Fellows of the
Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). Election as a Fellow is the highest
award the CIP can bestow on a planner, and is given only to those
members who exhibit the highest professional attainment and wide
ranging experience.
ConFerenCesTrust staff also presented at a number
of conferences in 2009 allowing them to
further tell the story of UniverCity.
These included:
• Gaining Ground Summit in Vancouver, BC
• BC Land Summit in Whistler, BC
• UniverCities Conference in
Portsmouth, UK
• West Coast Green in San Francisco, CA
• Living Future in Vancouver, BC
• Canadian District Energy Association
Annual Conference in Halifax, NS
• Cascadia Transformative Lecture Series
in Kelowna and Victoria, BC
• Sustainable Connections Conference
in Bellingham, WA
• Neptis Foundation Forum in Toronto, ON
• Presentation to Alberta University
Administrators in Calgary and
Edmonton, AB
• Government Relations Officers
Conference in Burnaby, BC
• Prince’s Foundation for the Built
Environment Symposium on the
Business Case for Sustainable Urbanism
in Vancouver, BC
16
MeDIA hIghlIghtsThe Trust received a great deal of local
and national media in 2009. Headlines
garnered by the project this year include:
• SFU Peak “SFU becomes the
first Canadian school in Prince’s
sustainability foundation”
(November 16, 2009)
• SFU Peak “SFU Gondola Project:
Feasible” (October 13, 2009)
• BC Business “PWL has forged a
reputation for innovative designs
that contribute to the development of
liveable cities” (September, 2009)
• The Daily Score “Density, Suite
Density” (September 14, 2009)
• The Georgia Straight “Public art in
private spaces” (August 20, 2009)
• SABMag “An update on the Living
Building Challenge” (July/August 2009)
• Burnaby Now “City may contribute to
new school gym” (July 22, 2009)
• Burrnaby Now “New school moving
ahead at UniverCity” (July 11, 2009)
• Vancouver Sun “Vancouver considers
tiny suites in effort to ease renting
crunch” (June 16, 2009)
• BCTV “Vancouver considers 205 square
foot mini-suites” (June 16, 2009)
• Vancouver Sun “Polygon offers
discounts for connections to SFU”
(June 13, 2009)
17
• Burnaby Now “Developer offers discount –
Students, faculty can access major savings on
condo units” (June 13, 2009)
• Granville Magazine “Home Green Home”
(May 7, 2009)
• Vancouver Magazine “Kings of the Hill”
(May 2009)
• UniverCity Media Release “UniverCity Wins
Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence”
(April 24, 2009)
• The Peak – Campus News “Nesters Market
offers more sustainable way of living”
(March 23, 2009)
• Vancouver 24 Hours “Gondola idea floated for
students” (March 9, 2009)
• SFU News “Gondola aired” (February 19, 2009)
• Burnaby Now “Herculean effort to fix traffic
woes” (February 18, 2009)
• SFU Peak “Gondola Planned for SFU”
(February 16, 2009)
• The Province “Gondola proposed for Burnaby
Mountain run” (February 13th, 2009)
• Burnaby Newsleader “Whistler-style gondola
eyed for Burnaby Mountain” (February 12, 2009)
• Burnaby Now “Take the gondola? MLA pushes
plans for rapid gondola system that would run
up Burnaby Mountain” (February 11, 2009)
• Burnaby Newsleader “This gondola idea just
might fly” (February 11, 2009)
• Burnaby Now “Gondola considered for
Burnaby Mountain” (February 10. 2009)
• Harry Bloy’s Newsletter “Planned Burnaby
Mountain Gondola” (February 10, 2009)
• SFU News “ $8 million for UniverCity
elementary school 2010” (February 5, 2009)
• Burnaby Now “It’s the best of both worlds”
(January 31, 2009)
• Green Technology News “Province of British
Columbia: SFU Welcomes New Elementary
School” (January 30, 2009)
• British Columbia News Release “SFU
Welcomes New Elementary School”
(January 29, 2009)
18
BoArD oF DIreCtorsThe Trust is governed by a Board of
Directors comprising key SFU
stakeholders, faculty and student
representatives as well as a number of
prominent real estate and development
experts. The Board of Directors
establishes policy for the SFU
Community Trust and plays an active
role in shaping the planning and
development of UniverCity.
David Gillanders, QC
Board Chair, SFU Community Trust /
Associate Counsel, Farris, Vaughan,
Wills & Murphy LLP
Gordon Harris
President and CEO, SFU Community Trust
Dr. Robert Anderson
Professor, Simon Fraser University
(Community Advisory Committee
Representative)
Jane Bird
CEO, Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc.
Dr. Warren Gill
Vice-President (University Relations),
Simon Fraser University
Dr. Patricia Hibbitts
Vice-President (Finance and
Administration), Simon Fraser University
Barry Macdonald
Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Howard Nemtin
President, Nemtin Consultants Ltd.
Daniel Pekarsky
Deputy Board Chair, SFU Board of Governors / President, Corporate
Advisory Group Inc.
Ravi Patel
Student Senator, Simon Fraser University (SFU Student
Association Representative)
Dr. Mark Roseland
Professor, Simon Fraser University (Faculty Representative)
Dr. Michael Stevenson
President, Simon Fraser University
Brian Taylor
Member SFU Board of Governors / Partner, Bull Housser & Tupper
Allan Waisman
President and CEO, Intercon Capital Inc.
Bruno Wall
President, Wall Financial Corp.
Lee Gavel
Chief Facilities Officer/University Architect, Simon Fraser University
(Non-Voting Member)
In 2009, the Trust saw the retirement of long-time board member
Peter Eng. One of the founders of Allied Holdings Group, Peter served
on the Board of Directors of the SFU Community Trust for more than
10 years. We would like to thank Peter for his wisdom, guidance and
oversight during his tenure – Peter was a vital part of the success of
the Trust and UniverCity.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
19
The Board of Directors has two standing committees that oversee and
provide guidance to staff on specific aspects of the Trust’s planning
and finance activities. Members of these two committees are:
Planning Committee
Brian Taylor (Chair), Robert Anderson, Chuck Brook, Lee Gavel,
Warren Gill, David Gillanders,Mark Roseland, Allan Waisman,
Bruno Wall, Gordon Harris
Finance Committee
Howard Nemtin (Chair), Pat Hibbitts, Jane Bird, Barry Macdonald,
Gordon Harris
other stAkeholDer groupsTrust staff are also active participants in a number of community,
municipal, and university-related committees. These include:
SFU Community Association
This community-based association comprises representatives of
each strata residential complex plus the Cornerstone rental housing,
and the Trust as representative of the Cornerstone commercial
tenants. The SFU Community Association meets six times a year.
The Trust’s Director of Community Development sits as a member
of the association and provides ongoing support.
Community Advisory Committee
Comprising faculty and staff representatives, key outside
organizations including Canada Mortgage and Housing, BC Housing,
BC Condominium Homeowners’ Association, Smart Growth BC, and
others, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was established
by the SFU Board of Governors at the pre-development stage of
UniverCity’s history. Its role was to provide a forum for stakeholders
to discuss the development of the community in the absence of
a significant resident population. As UniverCity has grown to a
population of almost 3,000, these residents increasingly contribute to
community decision-making. Therefore, 2009 saw the wind-down of
the CAC. An event was held in September to allow the Trust and its
Board of Directors to sincerely thank the past and current members of
the CAC for their support and contribution to the UniverCity project.
Burnaby/SFU/Trust Liaison Committee
This committee meets twice a year to
review matters of mutual interest and
concern to Simon Fraser University,
SFU Community Trust, and the City
of Burnaby.
University-Related Committees
In addition to this major committee
involvement, Trust representatives
serve on a number of SFU committees
including the Transit Services Liaison
Committee, the Sustainability Advisory
Committee, the Emergency Management
Committee, and the Severe Weather
Planning Committee. The Trust also
offers its real estate expertise on a
consulting basis to the University
President and his senior executive team
on a number of issues. Most recently,
the Trust has provided insight into the
University’s examination of new district
energy options and expansion of the
student housing supply.
2020
the trust teAMGordon Harris is president and CEO of SFU Community Trust.
Under Gordon’s leadership, SFU Community Trust is developing
UniverCity, a sustainable urban community adjacent to Simon Fraser
University’s Burnaby Mountain campus. Gordon and his team are
making significant and innovative contributions toward the creation
of independent and universal green building standards, promoting
complete communities, increasing transportation choices, and
enhancing the overall quality of the urban built environment.
Prior to joining SFU Community Trust, Gordon had a distinguished
career as a professional urban planner. For 20 years he provided
consulting services to a wide range of Canadian and international
clients and was recognized as one of Canada’s leading providers of
market-based economic analysis and strategic planning support to
local governments and the private sector.
Gordon has served as a member of the Planning Institute of BC
Council and is the former Chair of both the Membership Committee
and the Professional Practices Review Committee. Other current and
past community and professional board memberships include the
Urban Futures Institute, Presentation House Cultural Society and
the Vancouver Contemporary Art Gallery. He is also a contributing
editor of the Ontario Planning Journal and a senior associate with
the Canadian Urban Institute. In 2009 Gordon was elected a Fellow
of the Canadian Institute of Planners in recognition of his significant
contribution to the profession in Canada.
Jonathan Tinney joined the Trust in April 2008. He is the Director of
Community Development and is charged with overseeing the Trust’s
initiatives to incorporate the development of leading edge planning
policy, innovative green building and infrastructure standards, and
pioneering community building programs to create a complete and
truly sustainable urban community.
Suzan Fairfield is the Trust’s Controller and has been working with
the Trust since 2002. Suzan is responsible for all financial accounting,
reporting, and budgeting for the Trust and she is the principal liaison
to the Board’s Finance Committee.
Dale Mikkelsen is the Manager of
Planning and Sustainability for SFU
Community Trust. Dale and the Trust’s
team are making significant and
innovative contributions toward the
creation of independent and universal
green building standards to ensure a high
level of urban design and environmental
performance. Dale is charged with
raising the bar of sustainable community
planning to ensure UniverCity remains
on the leading edge of energy efficiency,
material conservation, healthy
environments and community building.
Dion Doepker was the Trust’s Manager of
Development Engineering. His primary
role is the oversight and coordination of
UniverCity’s infrastructure works. Dion
left the Trust in 2009, but continues to
be involved with UniverCity through his
new role as a land development engineer
overseeing the project on behalf of the
City of Burnaby’s engineering department.
Nicole Young joined the Trust in 2006
and is the Trust’s Manager of Office
Administration and Executive Assistant.
She ensures the smooth running of the
Trust and is responsible for all Board and
committee-related activities.
Alexandra Tudose joined the Trust
in May 2007 as our Administrative
Assistant. Alexandra plays a key role
as the “face” of the Trust at the front
counter. She oversees the Community
Transit Pass program and assists in
many community activities and
programs at UniverCity.
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Cheryl Stronach is the Trust’s
Administrative Assistant and has been
with the Trust since early 2002. Cheryl’s
duties include lease administration and
related administration duties.
Jesse Galicz joined the Trust in late
2008 as a Planning Assistant. He is
currently a master’s candidate in SFU’s
Urban Studies program. At the Trust
he assists in general planning and
community development activities.
ACknoWleDgeMentsSFU Community Trust acknowledges
the following people for their continued
support and commitment to UniverCity
and for all the time that is devoted to
the work of the SFU Community Trust.
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan;
MLA Harry Bloy; Burnaby School Board;
Board of Education; SFU Community
Corporation Board of Directors;
SFU Community Advisory Committee;
SFU Community Corporation Finance
Committee; SFU Community Corporation
Planning Committee.
key ConsultAntsThe Trust’s professional and administrative staff continue to be
supported by a core group of professional consultants with a long
history of providing planning, design, engineering, green building and
sustainable development advice, and other services to UniverCity.
These include:
• Bill Cox; BDO Dunwoody
• Peter Joyce; Bunt and Associates
• Rod Guertler; Butler Sundvick and Associates
• Alan Endall; Endall Elliot Associates
• Gabor Vasarhelyi; GMV Engineering
• Dick Butler; Golder & Associates
• Karen Marler and Roger Hughes; HCMA Architects
• Ken Dobell; Hill & Knowlton Canada
• Norm Hotson; Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden Architects
+ Urbanistes
• Declan Rooney, Jennifer Nam and Nick Lawlor;
Hunter Laird Engineering
• Ben Garfinkel, Matt SamyciaWood and Steve Mynett; Industrial Brand
• Anson Lee; Karo
• Ted Steele and Bill Christensen; Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.
• Ron Kistritz; Kistritz & Associates
• Lisa Vogt and Elizabeth Yip; McCarthy Tetrault
• Peter Arbuckle and Vincent Thompson; MKT Arkle Development
Management Inc.
• Nancy Spooner; Nancy Spooner Consulting Inc.
• Bryce Tupper, P. Eng; NORR Architects Planners Inc.
• Marta Farevaag; PFS Planning, Urban Design and
Landscape Architecture
• Susan Wilkins; Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consultants Ltd.
• Margot Long and Jason Wegman; PWL Partnership
• Robert Brown and Heather Tremain; reSource Rethinking Building Inc.
• Randy Sharp and Teri Cantin; Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architects
• Jeff Burton; Trilogy Management Services
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