After three years of consultations, tens of thousands of people giving comments and a month of debate in City Hall, the Vancouver City Council will wait two more weeks to vote on the long-awaited Broadway Plan.
The Board did not approve the more than 40 amendments tabled by councilors on Thursday and failed to get unanimous consent to continue the meeting beyond the scheduled closing time at 10 p.m.
As the council is lagging behind with additional work that they were unable to complete at previous meetings, the next time available for them to discuss the plan is June 22nd.
“With so many things to come … we’ve had some pretty broad, ongoing conversations about how to fit it all in,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart, referring to the many high-profile votes the Vancouver council has scheduled for the end of his term after years. including the Vancouver Citywide Plan.
The Broadway plan will provide a general framework for what types of buildings are allowed in these areas, with 20- to 40-story towers allowed in the light blue “center” areas. (Vancouver City)
Key amendments approved
The plan seeks to establish construction strategies and guidelines for a large strip of land north and south of where the Millennium Line extension is being built.
It would provide up to 50,000 more people in the aisle from Clark to Arbutus Street from First Avenue to 16th Avenue.
Mixed-use housing units of up to 40 floors can be allowed near SkyTrain stations, while the older rental park, often small buildings of 10 units, could be replaced by housing units of between 15 and 20 floors.
Opponents of the plan have generally argued that it will create a tower corridor that will displace current residents without making the city more affordable, while supporters have argued that a new housing supply is needed and that new transit stations are the best place to focus. developments.
Several amendments to the plan were approved on Wednesday, including a series of Stewart and Councilor Jean Swanson to provide greater protection to tenants.
If the full Broadway plan is approved later this month, residents who are evicted as a result will be offered space in the new replacement building with their existing rental rates and would be required to obtain units with a size. and a number of rooms similar to his current home.
“I think that ends with the dismissals,” Stewart argued.
“They have the certainty of where their lives will go. They will move to a new building, all their costs would be covered and they will be able to return when their building is built to the same level or below the current rents they pay.”
Another early amendment by Councilwoman Christine Boyle was also approved, for the city to commit to a full active transportation lane on Broadway.
The vote was unanimous, although several councilors said they would wait to see details on how it would work before ruling.
“Tonight the focus is the big debate on housing. I think the big debate on the street will come when staff come back with options,” said Councilwoman Sarah Kirby-Yung.
Part of the opposition to the Broadway Plan has focused on the concern that smaller, more affordable rental buildings on the streets north and south of Broadway are developing rapidly and displacing tenants. (Ben Nelms / CBC)