Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
4408-4488 Fraser St and 707-709 E 29th AveAs Hannah and I enter our fifth year of recapping our region’s urban growth review process, Vancouver city council’s vote to streamline the secured rental policy seemed like an early Christmas present. We’re hopeful this means the Urban Design Panel multi-hour reviews of these standard six floor rental... 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 →
Public Hearing – June 17th, 2021 This public hearing’s agenda will let me recap one of my favourite open house experiences, and one that Hannah still rightly scolds me for attending, as I was literally bleeding internally. Even with the post surgical fog, I’ll never forget the shocked faces in the room, though not every... 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 →
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 →
Public Hearing – December 2nd, 2020Update 12/03/20 – The public hearing has recessed, and will resume on December 10th at 6pm. As such, one can still send in correspondence or sign up to speak on Items 6 & 7.Considering the difficulties we’ve all experienced this year, Hannah and I are grateful Vancouver’s second last public hearing... Continue Reading →
5098 James Street - DP-2020-00442 - (Little Mountain - Building EB)In a weird way, I was relieved to hear the volunteers on the Urban Design Panel admit these weekly meetings were starting to feel relentless, and were leaving them fatigued. Hannah and I have certainly shared that sentiment, but the current public safety measures made... Continue Reading →
February 25th, 2020 Public Hearing Admittedly, I debated whether it was worth my time to write this article, as frankly neither Hannah nor I expected this meeting to generate much attention. Granted, the first item is somewhat notable, as it will simplify the regulations that govern passive house projects, but the next two; a heritage... Continue Reading →
4745-4795 Main Street Ironically, as I was busy at another Urban Design Panel meeting, I missed out on this six floor rental building's open house last November. Unfortunately, Hannah wasn't able to attend that event either, as she had a prior commitment that day too. So, we simply don't know whether those who came out... Continue Reading →
City Duo 