Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
Public Hearing – February 14th, 2023 (Update February 16th, 2023 - Item #5 faced a stronger level of written opposition than expected due to efforts from the Italian Cultural Centre, and the Jericho Coalition. Although this didn't translate into a larger number of speakers, city council was still unable to finish this meeting, and will... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – July 7th, 2022It’s not as bad as flushing a toilet on a live stream, however our city council must be embarrassed by how Tuesday’s meeting ended. Too many ignored the mayor’s warnings to stay at their computers, with their webcams on to maintain quorum, bringing the night to an immediate end before... Continue Reading →
650 West 57th Avenue - DP-2019-00686 - Dogwood Care Centre - Pearson Dogwood Parcel B As the rezoning application for the Pearson Dogwood site was approved just months before Hannah and I began to document our city's growth, we often learn a lot at these Urban Design Panel reviews. Though even someone who had closely... Continue Reading →
2803 W 41st Ave - Crofton Manor After over two years of attending various engagement events, Darren and I still cannot understand the hostility expressed at these meetings. We appreciate some are fearful of change, and others are outright opposed to it, but there is never a reason to expressed one's thoughts in such a... Continue Reading →
2803 West 41st Ave (Crofton Manor) While fall is generally considered a season of harvest and decline, it seems in Vancouver it's actually brought a time of rebirth. From a long-stalled townhome project in the Cambie Corridor, to a grandfathered building under the old HA-1A guidelines, many areas of our city are springing back to... Continue Reading →
September 10th & 12th, 2019 Public Hearing - With the end of City Council's August break, the public hearing process starts up this week with two meetings that will probably have little in common. The one on September 10th will likely be a quick affair, as there are two text amendments (1, 2), two heritage... Continue Reading →
2010 Harrison Drive (German Canadian Care Home) After Hannah and I attend a contentious open house, I often find myself anticipating the Urban Design Panel's review afterwards. These volunteer experts might sometimes blur the line between urban design and personal taste, but it's reassuring when they share our feelings about a proposal. So, unlike those... Continue Reading →
2010 Harrison Drive (German Canadian Care Home) Many Vancouverites associate our western neighbourhoods with feelings opposed to change and new forms of housing. My experience with the recently approved Finish Centre senior's housing expansion revealed sentiments in our southern neighbourhoods can be just as bad. So, I expected the worst as I made my way... Continue Reading →
January 15th, 2019 - Public Hearing The start of the new year marks the first time our new city council will host a public hearing, which could give us glimpse of their intentions for the next four years. Though some may believe non-market seniors housing, two simple 6 storey rental buildings on Hastings Street, and... Continue Reading →
2133 Nanton Avenue & 4189 Yew Street (Arbutus Centre Block C & Block D) When it was first proposed in 1968, the Arbutus Centre was planned to become one of Western Canada's largest shopping malls. Instead, it drew widespread neighbourhood opposition. Eventually a scaled back version, which has become the community's centrepiece, was approved, and a leading... Continue Reading →
City Duo 