In relation to the City’s survey on Secured Rental Policy in low-density transition areas (4-Oct-2020 deadline), CVN submitted the following letter. The survey is at this link:
https://shapeyourcity.ca/rental-rz
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October 4, 2020 (update)
City of Vancouver Council
Dear Mayor Kennedy Stewart, Councilors and Housing Staff,
Re: Consultation on Rental Rezoning in Transition Areas and Online Petition Below
The Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) is opposed to this proposed city-wide rezoning policy and the current process. Changes to policy for new zoning should be done through a neighbourhood-based planning process that allows for affordable housing and rentals to meet the unique needs of each neighbourhood. This proposed rezoning policy works against proper planning process and outcomes.
We have formerly written to you with concerns about this policy but the proposed amendments do not address our concerns.
We note that the city-wide petition Our Communities Our Plans specifically opposes this proposed policy and is over 2,800 signatories and growing at the time of writing.
We also note that one of our member groups, West Kitsilano Residents Association, had been asking questions of staff last spring that only got a reply from staff on September 30, 2020, a few days before the consultation deadline today Oct. 4, 2020. There was no time to advise the community and to respond to staff.
The consultation and the staff process so far has not reflected the deep concerns raised by the communities across the city. We are alarmed that a spot rezoning policy of this magnitude would be rolling out during the consultation on the Vancouver Plan.
We ask that you immediately halt this rezoning and allow each neighbourhood to consider what kinds of new housing choices go forward and where. For consideration is the CVN Principles and Goals document for reference, that was endorsed by almost all parties running in the last election, other than the then ruling party Vision that was wiped off council in the last election.
Please halt the current rezoning process for this spot rezoning policy and return to neighbourhood-based planning where local community opinions are reflected in the planning outcomes for their neighbourhoods.
Thank you,
Larry A. Benge, Co-chair
Dorothy Barkley, Co-chair
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods
Member groups
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
False Creek Residents Association
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
