Vancouver city hall’s last-minute decision to cancel a public hearing on a massive housing project sparks criticism.
Vancouver city hall issued notice this week that the final step needed for a massive new housing project in a heavily trafficked neighbourhood will be deferred for at least six months.
In the meantime, the developer has cast the deferral as an opportunity to make the project even bigger. The current proposal is for three 29-storey towers, two of them rental, with 93 of the 438 apartments at below-market rates. There would be another 215 ownership apartments, a grocery store and other retail and office space, a public plaza, and parking for almost 1,400 bicycles.
Mr. Clow’s statement said he was “disappointed” at the decision to defer the hearing until after a new council is elected in October, but did not go beyond that, even though the move has caused consternation at city hall and among the public. Mr. Stewart said public hearings have changed and become much longer, because people can now phone in instead of having to wait around to speak in person. “That has changed the dynamics.”
City council always breaks for a full month in August and, from now until then, it still is hearing from the almost 300 people who signed up to support or oppose a social-housing project in Kitsilano, another 50 speaking to the city’s Vancouver Plan, and speakers on several other issues. There is almost no time set aside for public hearings before the civic election Oct. 15 and, typically, councils don’t like to make big decisions weeks before an election.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘These projects can’t proceed if the numbers don’t work’: Interest rate hikes put Scarborough affordable housing project at riskWith interest rates on the rise, a Scarborough non-profit says one of its affordable housing projects is in jeopardy — with hundreds of units now at risk of being put on hold.
Read more »
Dan Fumano: Time for Vancouver to rethink how housing is approved?Vancouver\u0027s council has run out of time for a major housing decision. Will the next council consider changes to public hearing requirements?
Read more »
Rooming Houses Framework Delayed Again, This Time Until Early Next YearA long-debated topic in Toronto, legalizing rooming houses has been pushed to the back burner once again as City Council delays its decision.
Read more »
Experts say housing market is heading for 'pain', so what can buyers and sellers expect in this environment?Falling house prices have led to more uncertainty for anyone hoping to make a move
Read more »
Experts say housing market is heading for 'pain', so what can buyers and sellers expect in this environment?Falling house prices have led to more uncertainty for anyone hoping to make a move
Read more »
Experts say housing market is heading for 'pain', so what can buyers and sellers expect in this environment?Falling house prices have led to more uncertainty for anyone hoping to make a move
Read more »