Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
Public Hearing – September, 28th, 2023 – 1:00pm After recently spending eight hours listening to people debate the merits of letting homeowners transform their dwellings into multiplexes, it’s no wonder city council scheduled a lighter agenda this week. At least that’s my guess, as Hannah thinks it might be related to the Director of Planning’s... Continue Reading →
Updated - July 18th, 2023 Whether you’re looking to downsize in your golden years, saving up for a six-figure down payment, or just enjoying that “wacky time of life” it’s no secret that it’s hard to find a home to rent in our city. That’s why Hannah and I have built this page to track... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – June 28th, 2022Update July 14th, 2022 : After spending 22 hours over four days, city council has approved Items 1 & 2, and has heard from 225 speakers on Item 3. This marathon will resume on July 25th, at 3pm, and with at least 60 speakers remaining (estimated at 7 hours), you... Continue Reading →
2086-2098 W 7th Ave and 2091 W 8th AveAs yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of our first City Duo post, I think Hannah and I have proven we’re among the most dedicated individuals when it comes to following Vancouver’s urban growth. Yet neither of us would ever force our children to attend an Urban Design... Continue Reading →
3084 W 4th Ave and 2010 Balaclava St (DP-2021-00652)If the Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program managed to demonstrate anything in its short life, it was that our city holds new housing to very different standards based primarily on one factor. It wasn’t height or affordability that was the dividing line, but rather Ontario Street.... Continue Reading →
Jericho Lands Planning ProgramAt ninety acres, it’s unlikely the Urban Design Panel will ever again get to examine something as large as this former military base, now dubbed the Jericho Lands. These volunteers were clearly excited by this process, a sentiment I didn’t share it as I’ve sat through enough of these meetings to know... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – April 15th, 2021Update: As city council only managed to finish the first three items, the public hearing will resume on April 20th at 6pm to hear from anyone who wishes to speak to Item #4. At first glance, this public hearing might seem like a game changer for efforts to create affordable... Continue Reading →
3701 W Broadway (DP-2020-00888)It’s rare for the Urban Design Panel to run ahead of schedule, let alone by 15 minutes, so I imagine this applicant team was quite surprised when they were told to log in ASAP. The only thing more uncommon, at least according to Hannah and I’s friends, would be finding a rental... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – February 11th, 2021Update 03/03/2021 – After several nights of hearing from public speakers on Item #3, city council will finally decide its fate on March 4th at a back up meeting set to start at 3pm. Items #1 and #2 have already been approved.It’s odd to write about a public hearing where several... Continue Reading →
3084 West 4th Avenue and 2010 Balaclava StreetAs this has been a rather chaotic year, Hannah and I find ourselves catching up with plenty of overdue work, like the recap of this Urban Design Panel meeting. Then again, as a couple professionals caught on an open mic at this review noted, our city is also... Continue Reading →
City Duo 