General Vancouver Updates - Page 374

SpongeG · #**7461** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 7:51 AM**

is that replacing the building with the blind offices in it?? is it on the NW side of Joyce station?

Alex Mackinnon · #**7462** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 11:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

someone needs to get down to venables & raymur in Strathcona and take some pics of that big building going up, I think it's a seniors place, near the gelato place. It's so tall, completely unexpected when coming in from east van.

Villa Cathay

I wasn't expecting it to be as tall as it is, but it's not out of context. There's probably 10 similar sized buildings mixed into Strathcona. Most just aren't as bulky in the lower floors, or as street facing.

Most of the BC housing buildings for instance have godawful street interaction.

SpongeG · #**7463** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 7:27 PM**

It's quite the sight though where it is, further north are what people used to refer to as the projects which are the same height or taller. It's just the position of this that is so in your face. I love it I want pictures of it lol I don't go that route at all these days, been a long time since I've been down that way. I am more of a grandview hwy into the cambie bridge for getting into the city now. Surprised no one has given us updates here, I only have today and tomorrow than I am back out of town for a few weeks for work etc., so no time for me to get back there.

chrisel · #**7464** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 7:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I almost always go to these things, toxic or not. I stick to myself (unless I see a friendly face like FF) and provide my opinion. It's much better to stick up for projects you like than just shrink into the shadows and let the NIMBYs win.

I did however miss this one. I planned to go, even had it in the calendar, but got stuck in the office until late. Once it goes to formal application I definitely plan to attend any open houses and make my voice heard.

I sure hope all you that want additional height, density and housing options along Broadway get behind this project. It is a HUGE precedent setter that this gets through.

The NIMBYs are very much aware of it being a precedent-setter as well. Found this posted at our building's entrance:

GenWhy? · #**7465** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 8:36 PM**

"Impact"...

Destroy is a pretty big word coming from the lady that was asking everyone to sign her petition at the open house that night I heard.

This does set a precedent, however. That if you want extra height that you'll have to throw in a REAL affordability component. This site is already rezoned for a tall rental building with retail and is now applying for income-tied rental for folks earning between (roughly) 40-80k on their own, or as a couple / family. Had a beer with a freind of mine and he literally got into an argument with a group of 50+ locals who were against this added height because:

1) They're most likely run by a Chinese property manager and won't rent to white kids (27 is now a kid?), and "good luck renting in here because competition will be so high" (he pointed out that's why more of these are needed... so he can live in one).

2) "Poor people" will be at the bottom while the rich will be on the top floors (true, but I guess him and I are poor for not earning over 80k? Income range for the 20% of units was pointed out I think they still stuck to their guns on this point).

3) Another man said the "below market" units will be 300 sf units (he was directed to the stats board and pilot program fact sheet which debunked this, and he later capitulated on this. Yes, 20% are below market).

4) All of Broadway will be over 15-storeys (in... 30 years maybe from Granville to Main? Maybe at the current rate? Which is unlikely? As he talks to people that are well over 50).

5) Living on a busy road takes 3 years off your life and people shouldn't live on busy streets with recycled air (once he told the older man he has to live in Vancouver and not Abbostford in a SF home, he suggested and agreed a 10-storey building on a leafy side street would be perfect.)

6) He was then recommended to buy a condo if the rental market is so competetive and tight.

7) One lady, "I understand that there's a rental crisis... but it's too tall."

He eventually debunked a lot of their misinformation... through... proper information... but a member of the City needs to be at these to explain this program to people.

Mortgage payments in this City for an okay 1-bed are more than a really nice place to rent. I'd rather rent here and buy a house to rent out in Saskatoon. Which does happen a lot...

GenWhy? · #**7466** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 8:42 PM**

I get change is tough and the density is heavy, but the overwhelming opinions were about aesthetics, views, traffic, and too much change too quickly. Big ones are Sun, View, traffic, precendent of Broadway. But... from that petition website and similar views of the open house attendees:

"More than 12 story building is too high for this area. We had to stop this developer when they went for 17 floors . This is not a social housing at all. As per devoloper only 20 percent of the units - of course the lower units- will go to people with $30k -$80k income and only for 30 years. 80percent is market rental right away and after 30 years is all market rent and possibly developer can sell them after 30 years at market value. High floors will have the best view in Vancouver and Will rent possibly for more than $15k or more for two and three bedrooms. Riches of the rich will come from all over the world or other people will rent or sell their home to live in this high end so called "solution to rental unit shortage" rental only building. Developer company Jamison is going to make lots of money out of this. That is the reason this devoloper got so greedy and aggressive to increase it to 28 floors. I hope city staff and city counsellors read this. This is not social housing for low income. This is luxury living for the top 1 percent of the world."

GenWhy? · #**7467** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 8:59 PM**

Can someone write to [email protected] telling her we support the MIRHP Program and increased height along Broadway for income-tied rental?

misher · #**7468** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 9:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

I get change is tough and the density is heavy, but the overwhelming opinions were about aesthetics, views, traffic, and too much change too quickly. Big ones are Sun, View, traffic, precendent of Broadway. But... from that petition website and similar views of the open house attendees:

"More than 12 story building is too high for this area. We had to stop this developer when they went for 17 floors . This is not a social housing at all. As per devoloper only 20 percent of the units - of course the lower units- will go to people with $30k -$80k income and only for 30 years. 80percent is market rental right away and after 30 years is all market rent and possibly developer can sell them after 30 years at market value. High floors will have the best view in Vancouver and Will rent possibly for more than $15k or more for two and three bedrooms. Riches of the rich will come from all over the world or other people will rent or sell their home to live in this high end so called "solution to rental unit shortage" rental only building. Developer company Jamison is going to make lots of money out of this. That is the reason this devoloper got so greedy and aggressive to increase it to 28 floors. I hope city staff and city counsellors read this. This is not social housing for low income. This is luxury living for the top 1 percent of the world."

If the developer is making lots of money why aren’t there more rental developments going up? They talk about this being precedent setting as in no ones doing it...well why haven’t they if there’s so much money to be made?

People are dumb and I think these open meetings are a waste of time.

fredinno · #**7469** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 9:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Can someone write to [email protected] telling her we support the MIRHP Program and increased height along Broadway for income-tied rental?

I can... but I'm in no way particularly knowledgeable in this sort of thing to actually write a proper letter...

scryer · #**7470** Posted **Dec 6, 2018, 9:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredinno

I can... but I'm in no way particularly knowledgeable in this sort of thing to actually write a proper letter...

Maybe we can make a letter template with statistical information (and their sources), paraphrase it for each us sending it and flood these peoples' emails with legitimate support.

These NIMBYs have run the city for far too long. Time to beat them at their own game.

officedweller · #**7471** Posted **Dec 7, 2018, 12:40 AM**

McKinnon by Cressey
West Blvd and 48th Ave.(?)
Nov 29, 2018

Are those patched cracks in the concrete?
Is so, there are lots of them...

https://twitter.com/OliverRTennant

Feathered Friend · #**7472** Posted **Dec 11, 2018, 10:38 PM**

Quote:

As these two 14 floor rental towers will be located at/by Boundary and East Hastings, we were tempted to tease them as the tallest in Vancouver. However, with the late notice, the best we can do is post this & maybe grab a burger afterwards at Oscar's Pub

https://twitter.com/City_Duo/status/1072619901376974848

Feathered Friend · #**7473** Posted **Dec 11, 2018, 10:48 PM**

Quote:

Conflicting Visions of Central Broadway – Affordable Rental Housing or a Precedent Setting Threat

2538 Birch Street (Formerly 1296 West Broadway)
Adding Rental Housing to Central Broadway, home to Vancouver General Hospital and our province’s second largest business centre, may not seem that controversial. The neighbourhood is well served by transit, and the Downtown core is easily reached, no matter how you travel. So, even before it was confirmed the Broadway SkyTrain would have stations at both Granville and Oak Street, the replacement of this Denny’s with 153 new rental homes felt long overdue.

Believe it or not, some were opposed to that original 16 floor design. They felt it was oversized, that the area was oversupplied with retail spaces, and one person worried the new stores might sell cocaine. Even when the proposal was approved earlier this year, it never felt like it would serve the needs of the future.

When we saw this revised application, which offered 12 more floors of rental housing, Darren and I were not surprised, we were happy. Along with the aforementioned conditions, the original proposal achieved environmental standards and sustainability levels that will not be required by city policy until 2019. So, it is understandable why city staff are willing to examine the new proposal for this site under the MIRHP program.

Unfortunately, some of those who came to this event were not willing to consider anything. Instead they came prepared, and armed only with the information from the notice card, gathered in the lobby with a petition against this proposal. Already a newly founded, self-proclaimed, neighbourhood action committee has set up a website (at a cost of at least $5 USD a month) and flyers have been distributed in the surrounding area calling this a dangerous precedent.

An online petition has also been set up by a local consulting firm, and already has a couple hundred, mostly anonymous, signatures. The odd thing is, much like the opposition at the open house, many seemed more concerned for the effect on other neighbourhoods.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2018/12/11...l-housing-or-a-precedent-setting-threat/

WarrenC12 · #**7474** Posted **Dec 11, 2018, 11:20 PM**

Quote:

Believe it or not, some were opposed to that original 16 floor design. They felt it was oversized, that the area was oversupplied with retail spaces, and one person worried the new stores might sell cocaine.

Good if VGH pharmacy runs out...

This type of NIMBY bullshit should be a good test for the new council. Something tells me they will bow down to these types on the west side.

misher · #**7475** Posted **Dec 11, 2018, 11:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Good if VGH pharmacy runs out...

This type of NIMBY bullshit should be a good test for the new council. Something tells me they will bow down to these types on the west side.

We're very lucky there's mostly just businesses and some condos near West Broadway.

GenWhy? · #**7476** Posted **Dec 12, 2018, 12:01 AM**

Some further context to this site:
1285 W Broadway - Built 1983
1333 W Broadway - Built 1990
1268 W Broadway - Built 1991
1236 W Broadway - Built 2012

All are roughly 10-14 storeys mixed-use that folks site this is out of context with (previous rezoning as well). The main local voices of opposition I'm hearing from industry and friends are coming from those who live on the Fraserview Slopes worrying about sunlight, and what this means for the rest of Broadway where the subway is headed (Arbutus), from outside residents.

In a nutshell that would be like me opposing a tower in downtown along the Canada Line to prevent a precedent say near Olymic Village Station or Kind Ed. I'm not saying it makes sense or has to but this is what happens when you don't create a revised Area Plan. Being outside the View Cone and VGH flight path I think they City will go a few extra miles to make this happen... Council? No idea.

Still not sure what the residents opposed mean by "changing the nature of their neighbourhood's distictive features". The best part of Broadway from Cambie to Granville is flying by it un-noticed on the bus or walking around it. I think if the whole Corrior was already filled with 13-strorey pre-2000 towers they'd still be upset. I also got the feeling some condos owners distrust the "moderate-income" component. Needs to be better community consultation by this developer. Poorly handled, IMO. I've seen projects 1/10th this size do 100 times the outreach.

GenWhy? · #**7477** Posted **Dec 12, 2018, 12:12 AM**

Lastly, I remember some 2nd hand story about a lady saying this projet is nice 'n' all but the facny roof garden and views don't mean squat to her because she can't access them and it'll block her view. Thus a voice of non-support she said. Too tall. Now... I used to live off Cambie and Broadway on the 14th floor and a street tree was blocking the south views 1 floor below me.

On the 3rd floor of a building or on the sidewalk I couldn't see downtown or mountians unless right on Cambie looking north. I simply don't get this argument about views. Summertime lush trees block all views. There are no views.

logan5 · #**7478** Posted **Dec 12, 2018, 2:10 AM**

Central Broadway is an extension of downtown Vancouver at this point, so developments like this aren't out of line. Once the subway is built, there will be very high transit usage, so I don't see traffic being a real problem along Broadway. In fact it may even improve with far less buses in service along Broadway. Very walk-able too. Hope these ignorant nimby's aren't allowed to snuff out the below market units.

truenorth44 · #**7479** Posted **Dec 12, 2018, 5:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by truenorth44

Work is progressing at Heather Place - a crane is up, and they're pouring foundations.

It's been a while - time for an update on Heather Place. The curved walls of the amenity space are looking good!

December 12, 2018, my pics:

mcminsen · #**7480** Posted **Dec 12, 2018, 7:34 PM**

I don't go by Cambie and West 12th very often now these days but I was there yesterday and took these pics. The main floor corner space at The Spot is still under renovation. To see pics and previous discussion from about five months ago go here.

Dec.12 '18, my pics