February 9, 2020
City of Vancouver Council
Dear Mayor Kennedy Stewart and Councillors,
Re: Public Hearing Item 1. CD-1 Rezoning: 1766 Frances Street
Agenda: https://council.vancouver.ca/20210211/phea20210211ag.htm
Report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20210211/documents/phea1rr.pdf
The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) joins the local community and Grandview Woodland Area Council members in opposition to this proposal since it is not consistent with the Grandview Woodlands Community Plan.
This development proposal significantly exceeds the height constraints recommended in the Grandview Community Plan (see p.96) and seeks to impose a 9-storey building in the middle of a residential side street currently consisting of 2-and 3-storey buildings. In the Introduction to the Grandview Woodland Plan, it states that the Plan “sets out a framework or a course of action, to manage change in the community in a manner that reflects community values, good planning practice and the particulars of the place itself.” We do not believe that “community values” and “good planning practice” have changed since 2016 when the Plan was approved.
Also, on page 12 of the report, there are facts that raise questions on affordability and housing mix.
Regarding affordability, only 32% of the units are going to be actually moderately affordable but even these are quite high income wise up to $55,500 for a one bedroom and $78,000 for a two bedroom. And the rest of the units will be market rental. On housing mix, only 36% of the units are for families which is below the 50% target. Given that the affordability is marginal, will not serve people at welfare rates, and unit mix doesn’t meet targets, it is even more questionable that so much extra density is proposed far beyond existing zoning and the Community Plan.
Thank you,
Larry A. Benge, Co-chair
Dorothy Barkley, Co-chair
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods
Member Groups of the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods
Arbutus Ridge Community Association
Arbutus Ridge/ Kerrisdale/ Shaughnessy Visions
Cedar Cottage Area Neighbours
Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council
Dunbar Residents Association
Fairview/South Granville Action Committee
Grandview Woodland Area Council
Granville-Burrard Residents & Business Assoc.
Greater Yaletown Community Association
Joyce Area Residents
Kitsilano-Arbutus Residents Association
Kits Point Residents Association
Marpole Residents Coalition
NW Point Grey Home Owners Association
Oakridge Langara Area Residents
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
