Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
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 →
601 West Pender and 443 Seymour Street - DP-2021-00670In the 18 months since this office building's rezoning was submitted, we’ve all faced disruptions from significant tragedies to minor annoyances, such as losing one’s kitchen table to paperwork. That this development application’s Urban Design Panel review took place before it was published on the city's website... 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 →
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 →
650 W 41st Ave (DP-2021-00512) - Development Application 6 -The Commons, Upper Green, & Building 12 I'm a fairly rational person, yet I literally shivered when Hannah asked what would happen if, after eight reviews, the Urban Design Panel decided to reject the most recent phase of the Oakridge Centre. Sure enough, a few days... Continue Reading →
1002 Station St – New St. Paul’s Hospital (DP-2021-00085) Phase 1A – Revised Concept Apparently I’m not the only person tired of seeing the Urban Design Panel examine the new St. Paul’s Hospital, as city staff started this event by expressing hope it would go faster than the last review. That meeting concluded with a request... Continue Reading →
1002 Station St - New St. Paul's Hospital (DP-2021-00085) Phase 1A - Part Two Design Rational & Building ConceptI’m lucky to have a spouse who shares my passion for following our city’s evolution, and endless meetings like this one. Now on its fourth review, The Urban Design Panel spent over four hours examining the new... Continue Reading →
Public Hearing – June 15th, 2021Updated: June 30th, 2021 - After a second meeting on June 29th, city council has approved the first four items, and heard 41 of 78 speakers on Item #5. They will return on June 30th, 2021 at 6pm to attempt to hear the rest. That said, there is still time... 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 →
1002 Station St - New St. Paul's Hospital (DP-2021-00085) - Campus Public Realm WorkshopIt would be wrong to assume that in the middle of a pandemic, the Urban Design Panel would spend two hours reviewing city council approved plans to build a new hospital in Vancouver. In reality, this meeting dragged on for over four... Continue Reading →
City Duo 