Vancouver View Cones - Reviews and Amendments - Page 22

SpongeG · #**421** Posted **Jan 27, 2011, 8:18 PM**

Giving a lift to the Downtown Eastside: Build taller buildings

VANCOUVER SUN JANUARY 27, 2011 9:43 AM COMMENTS (1)

You don't need a geography degree to realize that the City of Vancouver is hemmed in by natural barriers, mainly water and mountains; and by man-made boundaries, specifically, the Agricultural Land Reserve. To accommodate a growing population there's no way to go except up.

However, a group of academics, including some who do have degrees in geography, have challenged Vancouver's Historic Areas Height Review, which recommends city council permit buildings on several sites to exceed the existing height allowance to further the long-standing goal of densification, supported by consecutive city councils.

The Historic Area includes much of the Downtown Eastside, arguably the most studied neighbourhood in Canada. Its residents are disproportionately low-income, marginalized, addicted and mentally ill, and occupy some of the city's most decrepit housing. It is the haunt of the homeless -- from 300 to 1,000 souls, depending on who's doing the counting -- and serves as the raison d'etre of swarms of social agencies, NGOs and self-proclaimed anti-poverty activists, including REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity) and the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users.

The academics have joined forces with these groups to block the development of market housing in the area, which they claim will reduce access to affordable housing. "This will have a devastating effect on low-income residents and the continued vitality and viability of the neighbourhood as a whole," they argue.

The only possible way to view the Downtown Eastside as vital and viable is to see it from Simon Fraser University's tony new School for Contemporary Arts housed in the stunning Woodward's complex, exactly the sort of transformational development the academics and activists are trying to stop.

Some activists have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. A gloomy ghetto of misery, destitution and squalor keeps them in business.

They stated overtly that their "Fight the Height Campaign" opposed increased density because it would bring gentrification to the neighbourhood. The Carnegie Community Action Project proclaims on its website "the Downtown Eastside does not need social mix."

...

http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Givi...uild+taller+buildings/4175803/story.html

Alex Mackinnon · #**422** Posted **Jan 27, 2011, 8:27 PM**

I really don't get this arguement. Don't change the mix? Why, because they have such a good thing going right now?

SpongeG · #**423** Posted **Jan 27, 2011, 8:36 PM**

like its been said many times these businesses and social services make their money off the backs of the poor - fix the problem and they all lose their jobs

they are very closed minded creating a false sense of community among them down there - they do not like outsiders in their area of the city - i've walked down there and gotten very dirty looks and yelled at because i had a camera saying its their area and i don't belong down there

peters · #**424** Posted **Jan 28, 2011, 5:47 AM**

City Council will debate the issue of the six tall sites outside the view cones on February 1, 2010 (Next Tuesday). There is still time to write and express your support for this limited amount of new density, height (and amenities) outside (not impacting) the protected view cones. We are entering a NIMBY Perfect Storm but we all know the majority likes and appreciates well planned growth. Make sure your views are heard.

Write Now:

[email protected]

peters · #**425** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 2:32 AM**

Thanks for all your support.

www.burrardgateway.ca

Some guy · #**426** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 4:10 AM**

So all the height increases have been approved?

peters · #**427** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 6:12 AM**

Yes, just downtown.

jlousa · #**428** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 6:17 AM**

Great news, and congrats on a great project. It'll be a welcome addition to the city.

Locked In · #**429** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 6:29 AM**

Good to hear that all the downtown sites were approved - thanks for letting us know Peters.

Xerx · #**430** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 7:20 AM**

that's good news, anyways here an article with a little more detail.

Quote:

Tenants to be eyes in the sky

7 building sites in downtown Vancouver can now play host to taller buildings with height restrictions being lifted by Vancouver City Council. It voted 8 to 3 in favour of the motion with NPA Councillor Suzanne Anton and COPE Councillors David Cadman and Ellen Woodsworth in opposition.

rest of article here.
Doug Herbert, 2/2/2011
http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1356115

hollywoodnorth · #**431** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 7:27 AM**

great stuff! I sent in my email!

giallo · #**432** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 8:49 AM**

Great to hear. Good work, guys!

I didn't manage to send in an email, but I did my part by writing response letters to some seriously misinformed netizens at the Westender and Georgia Strait websites.

trofirhen · #**433** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 9:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by peters

Thanks for all your support.

www.burrardgateway.ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some guy

So all the height increases have been approved?

Quote:

Originally Posted by peters

Yes, just downtown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

Great news, and congrats on a great project. It'll be a welcome addition to the city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locked In

Good to hear that all the downtown sites were approved - thanks for letting us know Peters.

From the other side of the planet, all I can say is that I'm thrilled that the city gave the height increases the go-ahead! And you all worked so hard at helping make it happen! Félicitations à vous tous !!

Mininari · #**434** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 8:02 PM**

Terrific news!
In addition to the Burrard Gateway Project, are any of the other sites at some stage of a proposal? Ideas? Rumours? Now we've got some more "taller" buildings to look forward to in the coming years.

jlousa · #**435** Posted **Feb 3, 2011, 2:37 AM**

Wouldn't be surprised to see at least one proposal for the Granville bridgehead come forward by the end of the year. Might even see a starchitect attached to a project. Of course very few things surprise me.

wrenegade · #**436** Posted **Feb 3, 2011, 9:10 PM**

A little surprised to see Suzanne Anton opposed the proposal based on the email she sent me after I wrote in. Anyways I suppose it doesn't matter, great news to hear that the 7 sites went through.

dreambrother808 · #**437** Posted **Feb 3, 2011, 11:32 PM**

That was the first time I've ever emailed council. Glad to hear that it went through. It gives me some faith in the process.

peters · #**438** Posted **Feb 4, 2011, 3:18 AM**

I commend SSP for becoming more engaged and think this should be the norm from now on. SSP represent a group mostly enthusiastic about high quality growth and this will become increasingly important in making balanced decisions for any significant developments done in Vancouver the future.

trofirhen · #**439** Posted **Feb 4, 2011, 10:16 AM**

Well said. In fact, if you look at the master list of the cities on SSP, you'll probably notice that at any given moment, there are usually more people participating in the Vancouver chapter than any other city - even cities much larger.

This is a testimonial to the enthusiasm and civic-mindedness of Vancouver people, and of our chapter of Skyscraperpage in particular !!

sacrifice333 · #**440** Posted **Feb 4, 2011, 5:40 PM**

My email counted!

maybe. But I'll choose to believe it did.

Let's see some taller buildings!