'1 step forward, 3 steps back: Vancouver city council to vote on 'pace-of-change' policy
Vancouver council will soon vote on a policy that could slow development in the Broadway Plan, one of the most significant long-term projects underway in the city.
Councillors have started debating a “pace-of-change” policy designed to prevent people from being displaced at some of the city's oldest and most affordable apartments, a move that could stifle development.
“Yes, this does put a little bit of pressure on developers who are interested in knocking down older, purpose-built apartment buildings to redevelop them,” said Coun. Pete Fry. “We are talking about 2,000 renter households potentially impacted per year if there’s no pace of change.”
The policy options include an annual limit on the number of projects that would impact existing rental housing, with some exemptions. Housing advocate Jean Swanson said she’d prefer the slowest development option.
“I think the first option of five buildings a year is good,” Swanson said.
The other options are 10 or 15 projects per year in the existing apartment areas.
Once hopeful about the 30-year Broadway Plan, Raman Bayanzadeh. a commercial realtor with Royal LePage Commercial, said the pace-of-change policy is short-sighted, adding that he thinks it could push developers to other municipalities.
“It’s one step forward, three steps back,” he said. “Limiting development projects, limiting the number of applications going through, increasing costs and challenges for developers … they will look at other options.”
Council will vote on the policy on March 29, when it could decide to forego the policy altogether.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.