'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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.