Public Hearing – September 12th, 2023 – 6:00pm
In many ways, this public hearing feels like a warm-up for things to come, and not just because it’s the first one after city council’s annual summer vacation. That doesn’t mean small amendments like Item #1 aren’t important, given the needs of the educational programs at Vancouver Community College’s King Edward Campus constantly evolve. Granted, as plans to dramatically transform that institution on East Broadway are already being floated, this step may feel a little redundant.
Hannah and I know many people are tired of seeing city council debate proposals along the Cambie Corridor too, though Item #2 is somewhat unique. It also highlights the benefits of being flexible as these four floor buildings can now preserve a significant tree, with the simple addition of an extra floor. Critics of Item #3 are far more concerned about preserving the availability of street parking, and some predict these thirteen rental homes may result in even greater crimes.
Still, everyone has the right to speak to city council, even those who think all renters are criminals. That view isn’t shared by neighbours of Item #4 as not a single negative word has been uttered about this four floor building across from the Renfrew Community Centre. Considering a three story building was approved on this site in 2015, it’s not exactly a bold proposition, yet neither is the Multiplex program, whose Thursday hearing has attracted a robust response.
Backlash Expectations
Item #2 – 5235-5275 Kersland Dr – Very Low
The installation of nearby traffic lights, and speed bumps should address the handful of complaints
Item #3 – 351-359 W 16th Ave – Low
Some fear these 13 homes will steal more than just their privacy, and street parking
Item #4 – 3747-3761 Renfrew St – Very Low
There hasn’t been a single concern raised about these homes so far
Item #2 – 5235-5275 Kersland Dr – Very Low
What is it?:
This was a relatively typical proposal under the Cambie Corridor Plan, with a pair of four floor buildings separated by a central courtyard which offers a combined total of 63 strata homes.
Where is it?:
Here, down the hill from the basketball, and tennis courts at Queen Elizabeth Park, it’s a 10-minute walk from the Oakridge – 41st Avenue Canada Line station.
How does it benefit the community?:
A $2.7 million contribution will go towards providing the amenities outlined in the Cambie Corridor Public Benefits Strategy (pg 247), and a $1.8 million levy will be paid to upgrade civic infrastructure (pg 9).
What has changed since it was first proposed?
As shrinking the footprint of these buildings would save an Austrian Pine Tree, city staff are willing to permit the addition of a fifth floor to ensure no homes are eliminated either (pg 14).
What was the open house like?:
Not one of the ~1,500 households notified about this online event bothered to ask a single question (pg 32).
What are its strengths?:
There’s a large amount of three-bedroom homes being included, which fits perfectly with the large green space next door.
What are its weaknesses?:
The amount of parking stalls exceeds the number of dwellings in these buildings, which will either serve these family-sized homes well, or end up being a costly waste of space.
What is the opposition like?:
A handful of people believe there aren’t enough amenities to accommodate new residents near Vancouver’s second largest park (pg 33).
Want to speak up?:
You can submit your comments using this online form, or register to speak by phone, or in-person, here.
Item #3 – 351-359 West 16th Ave – Low
What is it?:
These two buildings under the Broadway Plan are designed to mimic the “character” of a single-family home, but are actually three and four stories tall with a total of 13 rental homes.
Where is it?:
Here, in a central location that’s roughly a five-minute walk from City Hall, Simon Fraser Elementary, and Rain or Shine Ice Cream.
How does it benefit the community?:
A ~$149,000 payment will go towards upgrading city-owned services, like the Ontario Greenway, or the Mount Pleasant Park’s playgrounds, basketball courts, and community gardens (pg 10).
What has changed since it was first proposed?
To meet city staff’s conditions of approval, more landscaping will need to be added to make the laneway feel more pleasant, and neighbouring residents’ privacy concerns must be addressed too (pg 14-15).
What was the open house like?:
The 2,000 notice cards (pg 32) sent out about this virtual event resulted in a single question about the composition of these buildings, which are broken into 2 studios, 6 one-bedroom, 3 two-bedroom and 2 three-bedroom homes.
What are its strengths?:
The inclusion of solar panels on the roof is just one example of how this building makes really good use of its relatively small site.
What are its weaknesses?:
The lack of a children’s play area will be annoying for parents who don’t feel like walking their children to the nearby parks.
What is the opposition like?:
One strongly opposed individual notes the area already has problems with noisy renters, and others worry adding this many market rental homes will increase crime in the area (pg 33-34). A couple others are more troubled that they might find it harder to find a place to park on the street.
Want to speak up?:
You can submit your comments using this online form, or register to speak by phone, or in-person, here.
Item #4 – 3747-3761 Renfrew St – Very Low
What is it?:
This four floor building has 18 rental homes above a strip of retail stores on the ground level.
Where is it?:
Here, it replaces two single-family homes across the street from the Renfrew Community Centre.
How does it benefit the community?:
A ~$620,000 levy will be paid to improve civic infrastructure (pg 10), like the facilities, and pathways in the nearby Renfrew Community Park.
What has changed since it was first proposed?
Around 2015 a three floor building with six rental homes was approved on this site, yet was never built for reasons unknown to us.
What was the open house like?:
Ms. Jackson didn’t ask for any apologies, but she might have felt like an Outkast at this virtual event, as no one else had any questions.
What are its strengths?:
It’s a simple background building that hasn’t attracted any opposition, and brings some much needed retail stores to the area.
What are its weaknesses?:
If nobody else has had any complaints, than why should we?
What is the opposition like?:
There hasn’t been any (pg 33).
Want to speak up?:
You can submit your comments using this online form, or register to speak by phone, or in-person, here.
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