Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
Public Hearing – May, 24th, 2022 With over 130 speakers left to hear from on the Broadway Plan this week, I assume city council are grateful to whoever scheduled the Heather Lands as the lone item for this public hearing. With an election in the fall, they had to be seen as doing something, and... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – March 1st, 2022If you know the difference between a text amendment that fixes a simple error in a city bylaw vs one that allows for hundreds of rental homes, well then you’ll understand how important this night is. Conversely, if you’ve been doomscrolling the Russian invasion of Ukraine, like a normal person,... Continue Reading →
906-982 W 18th Ave and 907-969 W 19th Ave (Balfour Block) - (revised concept)With how poorly this project’s last Urban Design Panel review went, I imagine this applicant team was looking for every advantage they could find in preparation for its requested return. So the sight of Terra Breads' bagged sandwiches in this townhall room... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – November 18th, 2021(Update – November 19th, 2021 – Despite relatively few speakers, city council only finished Items #1-3, meaning you still have time to comment on Item #4, which will be heard on November 25th, 2021.)Like recent Canuck’s games, it would be tempting to ignore this public hearing. After all, Item #1... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – July 6th, 2021 I think Hannah would laugh at anyone that would call me an optimist, but I do believe that though the arc of the moral universe is long, it bends towards justice. Lately, there are many reasons to doubt that, as last month a small addition to a public school... Continue Reading →
906-982 W 18th Ave and 907-969 W 19th Ave (Balfour Block)In a few days, Hannah and I will mark a milestone anniversary, as it will be five years since we first attended an open house meeting. Like our relationship, this applicant’s involvement with the Balfour Block predates that event, as they purchased these lands in... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – April 13th, 2021One has to feel a little bit bad for our city council, as this meeting comes not even a week after they finally finished the public hearing that started on March 11th. Granted, Hannah and I know to a certain extent this is self-inflicted, as they often engage in a... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – March 9th, 2021As last month's public hearing was only settled last week, I imagine city council is pretty grateful to whoever scheduled this night’s simple agenda. It could have gone even quicker if they decided to stop personally reviewing every townhome proposal in the Cambie Corridor, as Item #1 is not really... Continue Reading →
4949-5255 Heather St and 657 W 37th Ave (Heather Lands)Admittedly, spelling and grammar are not my strong points, so if not for Hannah’s efforts, my posts would be rather messy. Unfortunately, neither of us were taught the languages of our host nations, so we couldn't capture the presentation that started the Urban Design Panel’s review... Continue Reading →
512 West King Edward Avenue - DP-2019-00708 - Reema Royale One of the sad truths Hannah and I have learned is that it's almost impossible for anyone but a large company, or government body, to redevelop property in our city. Granted, smaller firms often have success, but local families, like the one who owns this... Continue Reading →
City Duo 