After three years of consultation, tens of thousands of people giving feedback and a month of debate in City Hall, the Vancouver Council will wait another two weeks to vote on the long-awaited Broadway plan.
The council failed to pass over more than 40 amendments proposed by councilors on Thursday, and failed to obtain unanimous consent to continue the meeting after the scheduled deadline of 22:00.
As the council is overwhelmed with additional work that they failed to complete in previous meetings, their next free time to discuss the plan is June 22nd.
“With so much to come … we’ve had a lot of extensive and ongoing talks about how to fit everything in,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart, referring to the many votes the Vancouver Council has set for the end of its term after years of consultation. , including the Vancouver City Plan.
The Broadway plan will provide a general framework for what types of buildings are allowed in these areas, with towers between 20-40 floors allowed in the light blue “central” areas. (City of Vancouver)
Key amendments adopted
The plan seeks to set out strategies and guidelines for building much of the land north and south of where the Millennium Line is being built.
It will provide up to 50,000 more people in the corridor from Clark to Arbutus Street from First to 16th Avenue.
Near SkyTrain stations, mixed-use buildings up to 40 floors can be allowed, while older rents, often small buildings of 10 units, can be replaced by residential complexes between 15 and 20 floors.
Opponents of the plan generally argue that it will create a corridor of towers that will displace current residents without making the city more accessible, while those who support say new housing is needed and new transit stations are the best place for a development center.
Several changes to the plan were passed Wednesday, including a series by Stewart and counselor Gene Swanson to provide greater protection for tenants.
If the full Broadway plan is approved later this month, residents removed as a result will be offered a place in the new replacement building at their current rental rates and will be required to receive units of similar size and number of bedrooms as their current home.
“I think that puts an end to demotivations,” Stewart argued.
“They are sure where their lives will go. They will be moved to a new building, all their costs will be covered and can be reimbursed when their building is built on or under the current rents they pay. “
Another expected amendment by Councilor Christine Boyle to get the city to commit to a full active transport lane down Broadway has also been approved.
The vote was unanimous, although many councilors said they would wait to see the details of how it would work before making a decision.
“Tonight’s focus is the big housing debate. I think the big street debate will come when employees return with opportunities,” said councilor Sarah Kirby-Jung.
Part of opposition to the Broadway plan has focused on concerns that smaller, more affordable rental buildings on the streets north and south of Broadway will be built quickly and displace tenants. (Ben Nelms / CBC)
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