Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
4545 West 10th AvenueTo say I was excited when I saw renowned journalist Frances Bula tweet out a notice about an in-person pre-application meeting in West Point Grey would be an understatement. I was worried this event could be a heated affair in light of the backlash to the Jericho Lands, which includes a GoFundMe... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – July 13th, 2021 I still remember how excited I was when summer break rolled around, and this public hearing has the same vibe as it will be the last one until late September. Those experiences as a young woman are also why I am writing our usual primer instead of Darren, as... Continue Reading →
602-644 Kingsway (formerly 610-644 Kingsway)To say this simple six floor rental building has undergone a long journey would be an understatement, as its first Urban Design Panel review was in April of 2018. Considering it met a warm reception from both those volunteers, and an apparently disinterested community, I was surprised when it languished for... Continue Reading →
3615 - 3645 Fraser StreetWith city council’s decision not to renew or replace the Affordable Housing Choices Interim Rezoning Policy, Darren and I have watched the activity in our guide to that program wither away. A few active rezoning proposals linger, awaiting the judgment of our elected officials, but one has remained jarringly stuck at... Continue Reading →
325-341 W 42nd AveWith the lack of in-person open house events, I have not been able to post as much as, unlike Darren, my schedule prevents me from attending these Urban Design Panel meetings. Which is a shame as, like this review, they are usually educational and entertaining. While I was intrigued to learn the... Continue Reading →
320 E Hastings St (DP-2020-00721) (First United Church)It may not be on the Heritage Register, but Darren and I felt a twang of sadness when we learned the First United Church’s unique look was set to undergo a transformation. Yet, with its leaks and asbestos, there is no denying it has outgrown its original inward... Continue Reading →
1116 Pendrell St (DP-2020-00054)While I may not have attended as many Urban Design Panel meetings as Darren, even I knew what the main sticking point was going to be for this project. It certainly was not the contextual fit, as city staff admitted this expression can be found in many areas of the West End.... Continue Reading →
1780 E Broadway (Safeway Site)This is arguably the most anticipated proposal in Vancouver this year, and in pre-COVID times, this Urban Design Panel meeting likely would have been filled to capacity. It has been nearly four years since we first saw the plans to transform the Safeway across from the Commercial-Broadway station, and the passions... Continue Reading →
837 Beatty St (DP-2020-00531)It is somewhat sad that the most attention the Anglo American Warehouse has garnered recently was over a failed plan to replace it with a 26 floor rental building (pg 24). That focus was understandable, as developers rarely reveal their proposals have been rejected, which in this case was due to a... Continue Reading →
810 Kingsway The ability to work from home has been a mixed blessing for us. Obviously, I am grateful to have a job, I appreciate the extra time with Darren, and that I can wear pyjamas more often. Yet, I miss my colleagues, our home feels cramped, and online meetings drag on forever. Perhaps that... Continue Reading →
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