Our City- Diverse, Informed, Together
1075 Nelson St (DP-2021-00589)As I knew the Urban Design Panel was scheduled to review the world’s tallest passive house building, I was ready to be amazed when I walked into city hall’s Joe Wai Meeting Room. Sure enough, I was greeted by the most impressive scale model I’ve seen in months. It was only after... Continue Reading →
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 →
601 Beach Crescent (DP-2021-00162)As another year draws to an end, this proposal under the Higher Buildings Policy was a stark reminder that almost four have passed since Hannah and I started City Duo. It was first revealed only a couple months after we began to recap our experiences at Vancouver’s civic meetings, and it’s hard... 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 →
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 →
277-291 W 42nd AveAs city council grapples with whether to raise property taxes to fund a pandemic-hit budget, this rezoning application feels particularly senseless. After all, what public benefit is achieved by spending tax payer resources on such a lengthy in-depth examination when this project’s nearly identical sibling was approved only a few months ago... 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 →
2336 Charles St (DP-2020-00872) -- The MaxwellNews that city council may allow six floor rental buildings in select commercial nodes without personally examining them must come as poor comfort to this applicant team. For nearly three years, they’ve passionately tried to challenge the “crappy housing” they feel the C-2 zones require in order to protect... Continue Reading →
City Duo 