Download formatted PDF version: Link here.

July 9, 2024
City of Vancouver
Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Procedure By-law Update to Remove Public Hearings – BC Bill 18
Agenda 2024-07-10 https://council.vancouver.ca/20240710/pspc20240710ag.htm
Report  https://council.vancouver.ca/20240710/documents/pspc2.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) strongly opposes the recommendations in this reports since it proposes implementing the BC bills, even beyond provincial requirements, without ANY advanced public consultation process and only within days of posting them online.

CVN has sent Council letters advising that we have many concerns regarding the new provincial legislation Bills 44, 46 and 47, including their extremely flawed, biased, undemocratic conception that was then pushed through the legislature in November 2023. We find the current schedule for local and city-wide policy changes to be completely unrealistic and unreasonable. This now also applies to Bill 18, when the Vancouver Charter was amended in April 2024, to further implement the BC bills in Vancouver – again with no public consultation process.

We oppose the proposed removal of public hearings for rezoning. A rezoning consistent with the Official Development Plan (ODP) does not imply the local community has been consulted. The Terms of Reference for the ODP does not include public consultation as part of the process. The Vancouver Plan is a vague policy document that was created without any meaningful public involvement in the creation of the land use development plan or forms of development. Only the development industry and related lobby have been included as stakeholders. The public has been shut out entirely.

We further oppose that rezonings considered at a Council meeting will not allow speakers.  This is entirely anti-democratic and is no substitute for a public hearing that requires much more notice, legislative procedure and public process.

If Council is working for the public interest, these provincial dictates and staff further recommendations would not be passed. The City has a duty to question these provincial directions and act in the best interest of its citizens, not to implement and surpass the provincial directions that were established mainly to further the interests of the development industry and profits at the expense of due process.

Sincerely,
Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
CVN Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

See our previous letter regarding the BC Bills 44, 46 and 47 online at:
https://coalitionvan.org/posts/20240522-response-provincial-legislation-bills-44-46-47/

https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/citywide-opposition-bills-44-46-47-june30-deadline/

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July 9, 2024
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Citywide Removal of Views through View Cone Amendments
Agenda 2024-07-10 https://council.vancouver.ca/20240710/pspc20240710ag.htm
Report  https://council.vancouver.ca/20240710/documents/pspc1.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) strongly opposes the recommendations to reduce and remove public views in the view cones. This is privatizing public views for the interests of the development industry and the most wealthy who can afford these views.

We also oppose that this report is being brought forward in the middle of the summer with no meaningful advanced public process. This is not a legislated requirement of the Province, so the City cannot blame it on them. This is 100% an undemocratic process of the City.

The City of Vancouver used to be world renowned for the planning and development process that protected the public views, provided parks and amenities, and involved its citizens in a meaningful public process. If this Council approves this report, it is complicit in the destruction of this legacy.

Once the public views are privatized as proposed, there is no going back. Do not make this terrible mistake. Refer this report back to staff for further public consultation and a proper process.

Sincerely,

Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
CVN Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

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June 24, 2024
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Implementing BC  Bills – Transit Oriented Areas, Parking Bylaw, Housing Targets
Agenda 2024-06-25 https://council.vancouver.ca/20240625/regu20240625ag.htm

Item 2. Housing Vancouver 10 Year Housing Targets and 3 Year Housing Action Plan
Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240625/documents/r2.pdf
Agenda 2024-06-26 https://council.vancouver.ca/20240626/cfsc20240626ag.htm

Item 1. Implementation of Transit-Oriented Areas (Provincial Housing Statute Bill 47)
Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240626/documents/cfsc1.pdf

Item 2. Updates to the Parking By-Law in Response to BC Bills and On-Street Pay Parking
Report https://council.vancouver.ca/20240626/documents/cfsc2.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) strongly opposes the recommendations in these reports since they propose implementing the BC bills, even beyond provincial requirements, without ANY advanced public consultation process and only within days of posting online.

CVN has sent Council letters advising that we have many concerns regarding the new provincial legislation, Bills 44, 46 and 47, their very flawed biased undemocratic creation that was then pushed through the legislature, and how we find the current June 30, 2024 schedule for local and city-wide rezoning and implementation to be completely unrealistic. This schedule will neither allow for any legitimate public process, nor a proper infrastructure review. We requested that the City advise the Province that an extension is required, like other municipalities have done.

Housing Targets:

The City confirmed that Vancouver already exceeds the provincial five year targets based on the record number of developments currently in the pipeline. However, current  market conditions have put many new already approved projects on hold, so there is no imminent pressure to inflate housing targets that will drive rezoning without proper planning or an infrastructure review.

The City of Vancouver is likely already exceeding infrastructure capacity. It is crucial that an infrastructure review be undertaken before increasing targets or adding more rezoning.

The greatest need is for more affordable housing that is not possible without major provincial and federal funding. There is abundant supply of expensive condos and rentals, well beyond market demand. The main need is for affordable units  that are not being provided by the market.

Of further concern is there is no data of the existing zoned capacity, how much growth can be accommodated in existing zoning, and how much of this existing zoning could be affordable with the needed provincial and federal funding, since new market housing is too expensive to meet needs.

Why are industry groups consulted as stakeholders, and the legitimate community groups are not?

Implementing Bill 47 Transit Oriented Areas (TOAs):

The City is proposing to designate and approve Transit Oriented Areas (TOAs) citywide without any public consultation process in advance.

The report proposes increases in height and density beyond the provincial mandates and overriding community plans and area plans that will also be amended to comply along with this report or after the TOAs are approved.

There is no meaningful planning involved that considers the local context. It is just implementing large arbitrary circles around every station and bus loop for massive increases of tower development.

This includes amending the Grandview Community Plan, and other plans and policies, but the local community has had no consultation and most are not even aware this report is going to Council.

It also proposes Tier 2 for the Commercial Dr. station area to also be up to 20 storeys, so this is proposing much more 20 storey towers than any other station areas under the BC bills.

Onsite Parking Minimums Removed Citywide and Expanding Pay Parking:

This proposal is to eliminate all onsite minimum parking requirements, with maximums, in new construction for all uses citywide, including residential, hotel, commercial, and office developments. This goes way beyond the provincial mandates that only requires it for residential purposes in transit oriented areas.

Going forward, wherever developers choose to not put in adequate onsite parking, the surrounding areas will become so congested they will require on-street parking permits.

Over time, the parking permit fees are to align with market value of off-street parking like is mandated for the West End. Market value in the West End 2017 report is considered to be $50 per month or $600 per year. This significantly adds to the cost of living and is essentially a massive tax grab.

Vancouver residents made it clear in 2021 that they would not tolerate such a change.

Once again, we request that a proper planning process with public consultation, and an infrastructure review be conducted in advance.

Sincerely,
Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
CVN Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

 Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods
Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

See our previous letter regarding the BC Bills 44, 46 and 47 online at:

https://coalitionvan.org/posts/20240522-response-provincial-legislation-bills-44-46-47/

https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/citywide-opposition-bills-44-46-47-june30-deadline/

CVN Letter to Council – Implementing BC Bills-TOAs-Parking-Targets 24-Jun-2024

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Download formatted PDF version: CVN Letter to Council – Public Hearing – BC Bills Rezoning-Kits RT7-RT9-FSD 20240611

June 10, 2024
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Public Hearings – Rezoning to Comply with BC  Bill 44

Agenda 2024-06-13:  https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/phea20240613ag.htm

Item 4. Amendments to Restricted Zones (RT-7, RT-9, CD-1 371 and CD-1 463) to Comply with Bill 44 – Provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Legislation

Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240528/documents/rr1.pdf
Summary: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea4sr.pdf
Draft Bylaw: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea4zd.pdf
Yellow Memo: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea4yellowmemo.pdf

Item 5: Amendments to the First Shaughnessy District Schedule and Heritage Conservation Area Official Development Plan (HCA ODP) to Comply with Bill 44 – Provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Legislation

Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240528/documents/rr2.pdf
Summary: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea5sr.pdf
Draft By-law Zoning: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea5zd.pdf
Draft By-law HCA ODP: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea5hca_odp.pdf
Yellow Memo: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240613/documents/phea5yellowmemo.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) strongly opposes these two rezonings since they are proposing to rezone entire neighbourhoods without ANY advanced public consultation process. There also are no red-line rezoning [to show changes to] By-laws for public or Council reference.

Report 4 rezones Kitsilano (RT7 & RT9) and Report 5 rezones all of the First Shaughnessy Heritage District, without opportunity for meaningful input from the public, the FS Advisory Design Panel, or the Heritage Commission. These proposed rezonings remove all character and heritage disincentives for demolition, without adequate incentives for retention options or guidelines.

Hours before the referral reports were posted online, 2024-05-22, CVN sent Council a letter advising that we have many concerns regarding the new provincial legislation, Bills 44, 46 and 47. We find the current June 30, 2024 schedule for local and city-wide rezoning to be completely unrealistic, as it will neither allow for any legitimate public process nor a proper infrastructure review. We requested an extension to at least the end of 2024 or preferably spring 2025.

See our previous letter attached and posted online at:

https://coalitionvan.org/posts/20240522-response-provincial-legislation-bills-44-46-47/

https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/citywide-opposition-bills-44-46-47-june30-deadline/

The two Public Hearing Reports 1 & 2 above, coming forward without any public consultation process, only proves our point that the current schedule for rezoning of June 30 is completely unrealistic for any kind of legitimate planning process.

As we pointed out in our previous letter, the City confirmed that Vancouver already exceeds the provincial five year targets based on the record number of developments currently in the pipeline. However, current  market conditions have put many new already approved projects on hold, so there is no imminent pressure to rush further rezoning without a proper public consultation process.

The City of Vancouver is also likely already exceeding infrastructure capacity. It is crucial that an infrastructure review be undertaken as part of any further planning for more rezoning.

We also have specific concerns about the proposed rezonings as follows.

Item 4. Rezoning Kitsilano RT-7 & RT-9:

– We oppose the rezoning removal of disincentives to demolition and incentives for retention of character and heritage houses, without adding any incentives for retention other than waiving a few fees on Multifamily Conversion Dwellings.

– Houses and duplexes with suites, of less than three units gets no incentive for retention at all.

– For RT-7 the maximum density for a character retention house with an addition and a suite, or an MCD duplex, only gets 0.60 FSR, rather than 0.75 FSR in RT-9.

– RT7 should also be allowed 0.75 FSR like RT9 for character retention of two units or less.

– Retain the design guidelines that ensure quality design in both RT7 & RT9.

Item 5: First Shaughnessy District Schedule and Heritage Conservation Area ODP:

– Retain heritage area protections and zoning that incentivizes retention options for more units and infill, without loss of heritage as proposed. Allow growth and more units within the local context.

– Retain design guidelines and the First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel for this important area.

Therefore,  we request that the proposed rezoning reports be instead referred back to staff for a proper planning process with public consultation, with direction to staff to advise the Province that the current schedule of June 30, 2024 for local and city-wide rezoning is unrealistic for Vancouver, so should be extended in order to have a legitimate public process and an infrastructure review.

Sincerely,

Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
CVN Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

Attached CVN Letter 2024-05-21 for reference below, with related map from the City reports.

Proposed Rezoning Areas

Attached for reference: Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods Letter dated 2024-05-21. Click link to open.

CVN Letter to Council – City zoning response to Bills 44-46-47 – 2024-05-21 -Final

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Download formatted PDF version: CVN Letter to Council – Vancouver ODP Terms of Reference 2024-06-10

June 10, 2024

City of Vancouver
Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Report 1. Vancouver Official Development Plan – Project Scope and Terms of Reference

Agenda Wed. June 12, 2024: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240612/pspc20240612ag.htm

[Readers: This item goes to Council 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 12. The above link to Council agenda includes link to sign up to write or speak to Council. Sign up to speak before 5 pm Tuesday.]

Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240612/documents/pspc1.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) strongly opposes the proposed process and terms of reference for creating an Official Development Plan (ODP).

Of particular concern is the proposal to use the flawed Vancouver Plan as the base for this work.

As we advised Council in our letter on July 5, 2022, we oppose the Vancouver plan for the following reasons:  https://coalitionvan.org/posts/2022-07-06-vancouver-plan-opposed/

1. No Neighbourhood-based Planning – One Size Fits All
2. Lack of Urban Design
3. Excessive Population Targets
4. Lack of Consideration of Existing Capacity
5. Too many Rental Towers (mainly for REITs) and too little Ground-Oriented Family Housing
6. Not Enough Provision of Green Space (Private and Public)
7. Embodied Emissions too High
8. Inadequate City Services and Amenities
9. Lack of Social License

We continue to oppose the Vancouver Plan, and are particularly opposed to this being used as a basis for the Official Development Plan (ODP) since there was very little, if any, meaningful public consultation or public support. Yet, there is no requirement in this ODP Terms of Reference process for further ODP public consultation, other than that done in the flawed Vancouver Plan.

At the time of adoption of the Vancouver Plan in 2022, we note in our letter that “The Ipsos Read Survey referred to in the report is the only randomized survey that has been conducted with under 200 people. Only 15% of the respondents said that they strongly support the Land Use Strategy. Everyone else had some or many concerns.”

This is even more of a concern now since the provincial housing bills require that once the ODP is approved, all projects consistent with the ODP must be approved without a public hearing.

So it is even more important than ever that the ODP has neighbourhood-based planning with meaningful public input and strong public support.

Therefore we request that Council reconsider using the Vancouver Plan as the basis for future planning on the Official Development Plan, and instead do proper planning now.

We request a whole new approach that includes community involvement in planning each neighbourhood that considers the local context and consultation. The plan outcome should reflect community input for livable affordable sustainable communities.

Consider all of the future needs for infrastructure and amenities, with realistic funding, including from provincial and federal governments, so the costs of growth are not just downloaded onto the City of Vancouver.

We also note that in the report page 10, there is no requirement under the Terms of Reference to consult with the Park Board. While the City has asked for the removal of the Park Board, that is not final until the changes to the Vancouver Charter are made by the Province, which are not yet assured.

We also are concerned about the increasing provincial overreach into municipal planning authority and request that the City of Vancouver act in the public interest by opposing this one-size-fits-all approach dictated by the Province with arbitrary unreasonable deadlines.

Sincerely,

Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
CVN Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

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Download formatted PDF version: CVN Letter to Council – Referral Reports-BC Bills Rezoning-RT7-RT9-FSD-2024-05-28-Final

May 26, 2024
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Referral to Public Hearing Reports – Rezoning to Comply with BC  Bill 44

Agenda 2024-05-28: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240528/regu20240528ag.htm

Referral Report 1: Amendments to Restricted Zones (RT-7, RT-9, CD-1 371 and CD-1 463) to Comply with Bill 44 – Provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Legislation
https://council.vancouver.ca/20240528/documents/rr1.pdf

Referral Report 2: Amendments to the First Shaughnessy District Schedule and Heritage Conservation Area Official Development Plan (HCA ODP) to Comply with Bill 44 – Provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Legislation
https://council.vancouver.ca/20240528/documents/rr2.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) strongly opposes referring these two reports to public hearing since they are proposing to rezone entire neighbourhoods without ANY advanced public consultation process.

Report 1 rezones Kitsilano (RT7 & RT9) and Report 2 rezones all of the First Shaughnessy Heritage District, without opportunity for meaningful input from the public, the FS Advisory Design Panel, or the Heritage Commission. These proposed rezonings remove all character and heritage disincentives for demolition, without adequate incentives for retention options or guidelines.

Hours before these reports were posted online, 2024-05-22, CVN sent Council a letter advising that we have many concerns regarding the new provincial legislation, Bills 44, 46 and 47. We find the current June 30, 2024 schedule for local and city-wide rezoning to be completely unrealistic, as it will neither allow for any legitimate public process nor a proper infrastructure review. We requested an extension to at least the end of 2024 or preferably spring 2025.

See our previous letter attached and posted online at:
https://coalitionvan.org/posts/20240522-response-provincial-legislation-bills-44-46-47/

https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/citywide-opposition-bills-44-46-47-june30-deadline/

The two Referral Reports 1 & 2 above, coming forward without any public consultation process, only proves our point that the current schedule for rezoning of June 30 is completely unrealistic for any kind of legitimate planning process.

As we pointed out in our previous letter, the City confirmed that Vancouver already exceeds the provincial five year targets based on the record number of developments currently in the pipeline. However, current  market conditions have put many new already approved projects on hold, so there is no imminent pressure to rush further rezoning without a proper public consultation process.

The City of Vancouver is also likely already exceeding infrastructure capacity. It is crucial that an infrastructure review be undertaken as part of any further planning for more rezoning.

Therefore,  we request that the proposed Referral Reports 1 & 2 be instead referred back to staff for a proper planning process with public consultation, with direction to staff to advise the Province that the current schedule of June 30, 2024 for local and city-wide rezoning is unrealistic for Vancouver, so should be extended to at least the end of 2024, or preferably spring 2025, in order to have a legitimate public process and an infrastructure review.

Sincerely,
Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
CVN Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

Also attached for reference was Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods Letter dated 2024-05-21

Link here: https://coalitionvan.org/posts/20240522-response-provincial-legislation-bills-44-46-47/

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PDF version: CVN Letter to Council – City zoning response to Bills 44-46-47 – 2024-05-21 -Final

May 21, 2024
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Response to New Provincial Legislation: Bills 44, 46 and 47

Agenda 2024-04-23:  https://council.vancouver.ca/20240423/regu20240423ag.htm
Report:  https://council.vancouver.ca/20240423/documents/r1.pdf
Minutes: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240423/documents/regu20230423min.pdf
Staff Presentation: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240423/documents/r1-staffpresentation.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) has many concerns regarding the new provincial legislation, Bills 44, 46 and 47. We find the current June 30, 2024 schedule for local and city-wide rezoning to be completely unrealistic, as it will neither allow for any legitimate public process nor a proper infrastructure review. We request an extension to at least the end of 2024 or preferably spring 2025.

This rezoning includes  a large area of Kitsilano in RT7 and RT9 zones; rezoning the entire First Shaughnessy Heritage ODP; designation of Transit Oriented Areas city-wide with rezoning policies; and changes to the Parking Bylaw to eliminate minimum onsite parking requirements.

There was no public consultation or meaningful opportunity to review the staff report, with only three working days to review it online. No staff presentation materials were made available in advance, and there was no opportunity to speak at the Council meeting.

Further, we strongly object to the City endorsing the provincial changes to the Vancouver Charter and rezoning mandates, without public consultation from a local perspective.  These bills were rushed through provincial legislation, without any debate on the Vancouver Charter portion of the bills prior to closing debate and forcing a vote. UBCM has confirmed that municipalities were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements to discuss the proposed bills with the province in advance of approval, with no public consultation process.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that development industry promoters and lobby groups were the sole advisors involved in the so-called “experts” panel that the Province consulted on the housing bills, based on a very flawed report the panel produced with questionable assumptions. There was no public consultation or extensive planning analysis that would justify such sweeping actions to transfer land use planning authority from municipalities to the Province for this one-size-fits-all rezoning across the entire province.

Land use planning authority should be under the control of municipal local and regional governments , not the Province. There is no legitimate justification for these bills.

We are also concerned that the City of Vancouver is exceeding infrastructure capacity, and we strongly recommend that an infrastructure review be part of  further planning for rezoning.

A subsequent Council report dated May 14, 2024, Provincial Housing Targets Order – 6 Month Interim Report: October 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024, confirms the City of Vancouver will meet the five year targets, but needs further Provincial funding to provide affordable and supportive units.   https://council.vancouver.ca/20240514spec/documents/spec1.pdf

This report confirms that:

“Despite lower than anticipated completions, there is an unprecedented volume of projects in-stream, with enough capacity in our current development pipeline to meet the Province’s overall completions target over the 5-year time frame.“

And further that:

“There are currently ~31,300 units of housing at different stages of application, exceeding the 5-Year Provincial Target of 28,900.”

This May 14 City Council report also confirms that the lower number of current completions over the last six months is due to market conditions beyond the control of the City of Vancouver. Although the City has approved development at a record pace over the last few years,

…”the timing for construction and completion of housing units is primarily dependent on factors beyond the City’s control, including capacity of the construction sector, inflationary pressure, access to funding, and financing for market and non-market developers.”

The Council report confirms that 99% of units were at market rents in housing completions over this six month period, with only 1% (11 units) affordable at or below HILS rents, and 0% were supportive units. To achieve the required affordable HILS and supportive units, it needs more Provincial subsidies that are beyond the capacity of the City to provide.

There are likely more affordable rental units demolished than new affordable units built.

The City already exceeds the provincial five year targets based on the record amount of developments currently in the pipeline. However, current  market conditions have put many new already approved projects on hold, so there is no imminent pressure to rush further rezoning without a proper public consultation process.

The City of Vancouver is likely already exceeding infrastructure capacity. It is crucial that an infrastructure review be undertaken as part of any further planning for more rezoning.

Therefore,  we request that the current unrealistic schedule of June 30, 2024 for local and city-wide rezoning be extended to at least the end of 2024, or preferably spring 2025, in order to have a legitimate public process and an infrastructure review.

Sincerely,
Co-Chairs Larry Benge & Dorothy Barkley
Steering Committee
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Advisory Group
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

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Attachments below are graphics from the Council Report dated 2024-04-23

https://council.vancouver.ca/20240423/documents/r1.pdf

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January 23, 2024

City of Vancouver
Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Jericho Lands Policy Statement

Council Agenda – Jan.24, 2024: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240124/pspc20240124ag.htm
Council Report:  https://council.vancouver.ca/20240124/documents/pspc1.pdf
Jericho Lands Policy Statement: https://council.vancouver.ca/20240124/documents/pspc1_Appendix_A.PDF

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) opposes the proposed approval of the Jericho Lands Policy Statement and the use of this policy to guide the Official Development Plan (ODP). We urge Council to receive this report for information only at this time until major studies on groundwater and transit are complete to inform the final planning of the site.

This is the largest current project proposed for the City of Vancouver, with major citywide and community impacts. The process to date has not addressed the many issues raised by both the West Point Grey Residents Association, which is part of our network, and the Jericho Coalition.

We are opposed to the precedents set by this project regarding process, the scale of development and impacts on infrastructure, and the proposal for the developers to retain ownership of the amenities such as parks, community centre, daycare and a VSB school, rather than publicly owned as per standard policy and practice.

If this draft Jericho Policy Statement is approved to guide the Official Development Plan (ODP) as proposed, this would be the end of the public process specifically for the Jericho Lands, even though City staff admit major issues have yet to be addressed. The public hearing for the ODP would be for city-wide development, not site specific. The necessary ground water, transit and other technical studies are yet to be done and not required until rezoning, even though they could result in major changes to the site plan and form of development. Recent changes to the Vancouver Charter in November 2023 eliminated public hearings for rezonings that are consistent with policy in the ODP.

We note that the Jericho Coalition’s Forum Research poll showed that 72% citywide agreed that the Jericho Lands development as proposed was too dense and that the City should reject it on this basis and prefer the Jericho Coalition’s alternative approach. https://jerichocoalition.org/survey-results/

Please also consider the many other issues raised by the local community in their letter here:
https://wpgra.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/wpgra-jericho-lands-policy-statement-2024-01-22-final.pdf

Also, consider the issues raised by the Jericho Coalition here:
https://jerichocoalition.org/

Therefore, we request that Council not approve the Jericho Lands Policy Statement as proposed and receive it for information only.

Sincerely,
Steering Committee,
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
RPSC Community Visions (Riley Park/South Cambie)
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

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December 10, 2023
City of Vancouver

Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Motion to Amend the Vancouver Charter to Remove the Park Board
Agenda – Dec. 13, 2023:  https://council.vancouver.ca/20231213/cfsc20231213ag.htm
Motion: https://council.vancouver.ca/20231213/documents/cfscA2.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) opposes the motion to remove the Park Board as proposed, and to the lack of due process. We note that the elected Park Board Chair and majority oppose this proposal. Neither the Park Board nor the public have been consulted.

We question if an elected Park Board can be removed mid-term only one year after the election. Further, there is no mandate for these actions since the majority on Council and the Park Board were elected on the platform to retain the Park Board and to undertake a “full audit of all operations, finances and facilities,” which was only recently released. The Park Board should be allowed time to implement the auditor’s recommendations.

Unlike City Council, the Park Board has a very important sole function to provide, preserve, and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit all people, communities, and the environment.  It has exclusive possession, jurisdiction, and control over 230+ public parks in Vancouver and a large public recreation system of community centres, pools, rinks, fitness centres, golf courses, street trees, marinas, playing fields, and more. It should be noted that the Vancouver Park Board was created to ensure the parks and recreation systems are retained and managed with a single focus for future generations.

We are very concerned that a major structural change to an elected body is being made in back rooms without any public process. Please do not approve this motion and instead allow the Park Board to implement the auditor’s recommendations, and for the Park Board Commissioners to complete their term. Many of the needed Park Board improvements require Council funding and we encourage Council to do so. There is no mandate or justification for removing the Park Board. The public should have a choice through a referendum before any request is made to the province to change the Vancouver Charter regarding the Park Board.

Sincerely,
Steering Committee,  Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Arbutus Ridge/ Kerrisdale/ Shaughnessy Committee
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Committee
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

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October 31, 2023
City of Vancouver
Dear Mayor Ken Sim and Councillors,

Re: Vancouver Plan Implementation – Land Use Policy Rationalization – Repeal of CityPlan Community Visions and many Policy Guidelines

Agenda – Nov.1, 2023:  https://council.vancouver.ca/20231101/pspc20231101ag.htm
Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20231101/documents/pspc2.pdf

The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) has major concerns about this report and how the Vancouver Plan is being implemented.  The report proposes the repeal of CityPlan Community Visions and many policy guidelines related to community plans, without transparency or meaningful consultation with residents. Many of the policies are still relevant. We request that the policies remain on the City’s website for reference and that the Vancouver Plan is implemented in a more inclusive and collaborative process rather than the current flawed practices.

There has been no public notice of this report beyond posting on the City’s meeting agenda and even the report doesn’t link to the actual polices being recommended for repeal. This reflects our overall concerns about both the process of creating the Vancouver Plan and now the first steps of implementation.

We disagree with the report’s rationale that the CityPlan Community Visions are past their lifespan of “10-20 year documents” when these Community Visions were to be for 30 years as they were further implemented into zoning plans.  While this CityPlan implementation process has been stalled by the City, these policies are not irrelevant.

CityPlan was adopted in 1995, however,  the Community Visions were not completed in each neighbourhood until 2010, well within their 30 year lifespan. These are not all old policies and were intended to be living documents that would go into an implementation process with further amendments over time using similar neighbourhood-based planning processes. In fact the WPG Community Vision, the last approved in 2010 for 30 years, has several directions related to the Jericho Lands planning process that are entirely relevant at this time.

Also, two of the Community Vision implementation Committees are still active with the City and part of our network.  Riley Park/South Cambie (RPSC) has been very involved with the implementation of the Cambie Corridor Plan and the Arbutus Ridge/ Kerrisdale/ Shaughnessy (ARKS) also works with City planners.

We also note that many of the RM4 guidelines included in the report for proposed repeal are related to current and recent community plans such as in Grandview, Mount Pleasant and Marpole. The RM4 guidelines are also still relevant for Kitsilano.

These existing community plans and visions involved hundreds of hours of community collaboration. However, rather than building on this legacy of award winning inclusive public planning processes, the City is instead abandoning best practices for planning transparency and consultation.

The report lacks transparency by not linking to the 72 policies and guidelines being repealed for council and public reference. While some of these policies may be redundant, many are still relevant and are important for historical purposes and planning background. They should at least be retained on the City’s website for public reference.

We remain equally concerned that the City is implementing the Vancouver Plan in the same way the Plan was created, with Council considering repealing existing policy without any meaningful public consultation or involvement, or neighbourhood-based context.

Sincerely,
Steering Committee,  Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods 

Network Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Arbutus Ridge/ Kerrisdale/ Shaughnessy Visions
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
Marpole Residents Coalition
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
Residents Association Mount Pleasant
Riley Park/South Cambie Visions
Shaughnessy Heights Property Owners Assoc.
Strathcona Residents Association
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association
West End Neighbours Society
West Kitsilano Residents Association
West Point Grey Residents Association
West Southland Residents Association

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