Oakridge Park | 13 Towers | 154m | 52fl | 5M sqft | U/C

[quobobo]

I sent an email of support for the project as well, thanks for the reminder jlousa.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

LOL, the article's writer has it pegged, Vancouver is no more exciting than it used to be. Unless perhaps shopping at Topshop gets you squealing with delight. If anything the city is duller and less edgy, and it's just a culturally sleepy as it was 30 years ago. Why do people belive density=excitement? Is Calcutta on your top "exciting" holiday destinations?

I think we've finally figured you out. You live in a SFH, you hate Vision Vancouver and everything they stand for, cycling, you are a NIMBY. You don't want Vancouver to change.

Are you that lady who coined "creme de la creme" at that city council meeting so many years back?

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I think we've finally figured you out. You live in a SFH, you hate Vision Vancouver and everything they stand for, cycling, you are a NIMBY. You don't want Vancouver to change.

Are you that lady who coined "creme de la creme" at that city council meeting so many years back?

And no doubt you're a childless guy living in Yaletown condobox. Do you have a pocket dog to round out the sterotype?

[a very long weekend]

i mailed too in support, using my cousin's address where i pop in from time to time.

[Genauso]

If the city asks people to give it cash, they will in turn ask to have a say on decisions. There is automatic concern and uncertainty with any sudden change.

This is a decision, there isn't an automatic zoning change algorithm based on present context. It will affect quality of life (shadows, traffic, crime, subsequent zoning and development approvals) and land values.

There will be those residents who know they will lose out and they will speak loudest using any available argument but their voices are amplified by the larger group who just feel a general threat to their quality of life and wealth -- if the development happened in any other neighborhood they'd have no risk and a possible gain instead.

I think the project should go ahead, and it's easy for me to say that because because I don't know anyone who lives right there.

I don't think the current process of approvals works well for anyone really, although city hall is probably comfortable with it. I'll venture to say that almost all homeowners in Vancouver would not feel positive about any level of construction and city hall. I know some horrors and stupidity that no one would approve of, but will continue to happen to new people.

If changes were more gradual and predictable, that would mean more than making a plan for fifty years that is contingent on everything we don't know. If there were any commitment to maintain quality of life after the construction is completed, that would go a long way (eg spell out Canada Line service levels instead of a vague promise of the ability to increase service, promise measures to keep parking easy enough to find for homeowners and their guests)

We get these conflicts in Canada because our system is that if you don't speak up before something begins, you lose all power and must forever keep your peace.

On another note, post requests for photo updates because it looks like we might have a stretch of good weather. I know I'm looking to get out there

[Genauso]

Too Long; Didn't Read summary:
This project is huge, and that is also why it can be great. Surrounding residents who are concerned should see themselves as partner to the change, that they can only be made to feel like a victim shows the current development approval process is a predictable failure for established communities. It's on city hall and the developer to do it a better way.

[TwoFace]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

. The government can't tell immigrants what cities they can live in. It's that simple.

Well actually they can and have.
A major loophole that has been driving our local real estate marked has been closed by the Feds. This will have an impact on the overall market and even sites like this.

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/0...s-could-slow-high-end-real-estate-sales/

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by a very long weekend

i mailed too in support, using my cousin's address where i pop in from time to time.

Sent in my support as well, I encourage you all to do it, took a whopping 5 minutes of my time.

Got a strange email back form the city outlining the procedures around submitting correspondence, did anyone else get that? Hopefully my opinion will still reach the meeting.

[s211]

Originally Posted by whatnext

LOL, the article's writer has it pegged, Vancouver is no more exciting than it used to be. Unless perhaps shopping at Topshop gets you squealing with delight. If anything the city is duller and less edgy, and it's just a culturally sleepy as it was 30 years ago. Why do people belive density=excitement? Is Calcutta on your top "exciting" holiday destinations?

Plopping an out of scale development into this kind of neighbourhood is hardly going to make it some cosmopolitan world destination. If it was that easy everyopne would be flocking to Metrotown.

I have to agree with you on that point.

It's distressing that an in-favour architect can continue to pump out fanciful designs that look more like something from that avatar planet than planet earth, and have planners creaming themselves on the social engineering possibilities therein.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

And no doubt you're a childless guy living in Yaletown condobox. Do you have a pocket dog to round out the sterotype?

Married with a kid actually, and cats, no dog anymore.

But sounds like I hit a nerve...

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Sent in my support as well, I encourage you all to do it, took a whopping 5 minutes of my time.

Got a strange email back form the city outlining the procedures around submitting correspondence, did anyone else get that? Hopefully my opinion will still reach the meeting.

I got the same. It's an awkward auto-response but at least it means they got it.

With regards to someone not owning a home in Vancouver, and thus being somehow outside the mainstream: the majority of those in the City of Vancouver rent. Whether they rent a condo, a basement suite, or a place in a walk-up apartment, they have more in common with one another than someone who is a paper millionaire because they own a detached single family house and rode wave of appreciation unprecedented since the late-Edwardian boom of Vancouver's Golden Decade 1900-1910.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Genauso

If the city asks people to give it cash, they will in turn ask to have a say on decisions. There is automatic concern and uncertainty with any sudden change.

This is a decision, there isn't an automatic zoning change algorithm based on present context. It will affect quality of life (shadows, traffic, crime, subsequent zoning and development approvals) and land values.

There will be those residents who know they will lose out and they will speak loudest using any available argument but their voices are amplified by the larger group who just feel a general threat to their quality of life and wealth -- if the development happened in any other neighborhood they'd have no risk and a possible gain instead.

I think the project should go ahead, and it's easy for me to say that because because I don't know anyone who lives right there.

I don't think the current process of approvals works well for anyone really, although city hall is probably comfortable with it. I'll venture to say that almost all homeowners in Vancouver would not feel positive about any level of construction and city hall. I know some horrors and stupidity that no one would approve of, but will continue to happen to new people.

If changes were more gradual and predictable, that would mean more than making a plan for fifty years that is contingent on everything we don't know. If there were any commitment to maintain quality of life after the construction is completed, that would go a long way (eg spell out Canada Line service levels instead of a vague promise of the ability to increase service, promise measures to keep parking easy enough to find for homeowners and their guests)

We get these conflicts in Canada because our system is that if you don't speak up before something begins, you lose all power and must forever keep your peace.

On another note, post requests for photo updates because it looks like we might have a stretch of good weather. I know I'm looking to get out there

If people choose to live in a big city, especially just right next to commercial or retail centres, they should be prepared for change. That's expected if you want convenience. Also, it seems that the majority want it, so as a minority, they should just think about 'moving to greener pastures' if they can't tolerate such a change. They do have a right to voice out their opposition, but there seems to be an overwhelming response from the proponents of this project.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Sent in my support as well, I encourage you all to do it, took a whopping 5 minutes of my time.

Got a strange email back form the city outlining the procedures around submitting correspondence, did anyone else get that? Hopefully my opinion will still reach the meeting.

Did you mention to them you lived in Toronto and happen to work for a mall leasing company?

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Vin

If people choose to live in a big city, especially just right next to commercial or retail centres, they should be prepared for change. That's expected if you want convenience. Also, it seems that the majority want it, so as a minority, they should just think about 'moving to greener pastures' if they can't tolerate such a change. They do have a right to voice out their opposition, but there seems to be an overwhelming response from the proponents of this project.

The NOakridge facebook page has a grand total of 49 likes

[SFUVancouver]

^ That might speak to the age demographic of those opposed.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Did you mention to them you lived in Toronto and happen to work for a mall leasing company?

A mall leasing company? Your knowledge of the corporate world is astounding.

As someone who fully intends on returning to Vancouver some day I think my opinion on a project with a 10 year build out in the geographic centre of the city is just as pertinent as the next guys.

[osirisboy]

Sorry if this has been mentioned already but when do we expect council to make their decision?

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Sorry if this has been mentioned already but when do we expect council to make their decision?

The third day of hearings are underway at City Hall, so unless Council defers their decision, we should know today.

[I just heard that it was approved 6-3.]

Edit 2: NewWester beat me to the punch
I haven't heard word yet on whether Council applied conditions to its rezoning approval.

[NewWester]

According to the CKNW twitter stream it was just approved.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by NewWester

According to the CKNW twitter stream it was just approved.

That is amazing to hear! This will likely be the best TOD on the continent!