Big Vancouver Chinatown development 'likely' nearing approval despite community pushback
It's a controversial piece of land at the corner of Keefer and Columbia streets that's sat empty for years. Developer Beedie Living's condo tower was originally voted down by the City of Vancouver's Development Permit Board in 2017, but a challenge in B.C. Supreme Court plus a shift in community sentiment has given the project new life.
The nine-story, mixed-use commercial building with plans for retail, a senior living centre and 111 residential units is perhaps just a few days away from getting the green light.
“I think what we have to remember is that this isn’t a rezoning, this is an outright DP (development permit)," said city councillor Pete Fry. "So what it means is likely it will get approved at the Development Permit Board.”
According to the City of Vancouver, the three-person board has the authority to approve, approve with conditions or refuse a development permit application based on their evaluation of the proposal under the Zoning and Development Bylaw.
Council does not have the power to veto the application.
Some people in the neighbourhood have expressed concerns with the development.
"Having another condo built would definitely worsen the gentrification," said Nick Yung with the Vancouver Tenants Union.
Yung says he's disappointed with the several Chinatown associations that changed their stance and are now supporting the condo development.
"They are on the wrong side of history and we hope that they will open up to listen to low-income residents in this community more instead of just their own representatives," said Yung.
Seven legacy associations, including the Chinatown Business Improvement Association (BIA), signed a letter of support for the project to the City of Vancouver.
"It was quite evident the last three, four years that the social decay of the neighbourhood occurred without vibrant activity and people on the street," said Jordan Eng, president of the Chinatown BIA.
Eng says rampant crime has resulted in the BIA quadrupling its security budget over the past four to five years.
One business owner who works across the street from the lot says he believes the project will bring much-needed revitalization to the neighbourhood.
“What we need in this neighbourhood is more commerce, more foot traffic and more employed people," said Dustin Grant, owner of Bootleg Barbers.
"We're fighting an uphill battle. There's a lot of complicated issues in this neighbourhood. It's not a simple solution, but I would absolutely be in support of this project."
The Development Permit Board will hear more from the public on Monday before making a decision on whether or not to move forward with the project.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.