Vancouver View Cones - Reviews and Amendments

[Vancity]

I don't know which viewcones should be scrapped. I don't think they all should be gone, but the viewcones have been very restrictive, compared to most North American cities. Actually, I'm not sure if any other Canadian city has viewcones like we do here in Van.

But I also don't know if we'll ever get a 1,200 meter skyscraper in Van. I'd love it to happen, but I don't know if it'll ever happen unfortunately

Gotta admit, though. Vancouver as a whole is getting denser! And that's always a good thing. Now only if our Public Transportation can be better integrated.

[yogiderek]

Originally Posted by Vancity

I don't know which viewcones should be scrapped. I don't think they all should be gone, but the viewcones have been very restrictive, compared to most North American cities. Actually, I'm not sure if any other Canadian city has viewcones like we do here in Van.

But I also don't know if we'll ever get a 1,200 meter skyscraper in Van. I'd love it to happen, but I don't know if it'll ever happen unfortunately

Gotta admit, though. Vancouver as a whole is getting denser! And that's always a good thing. Now only if our Public Transportation can be better integrated.

Philladelpia had a height limit for years that nothing should be taller than William Penn Statue on top of I believe City Hall. Now that is scrapped they are getting some impressive taller buildings. I doubt that Washington DC will ever scrap the law that says nothing taller than the Washington Monument, but I know those are two other cities in North America similar to our view cone dilemma.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Vin

Which current view cone is "good" and makes sense? I would certainly like to hear it. Agree that scaling down gradually would appease most individuals, whom I think are just too jittery about losing views of the mountains without trying to know how ridiculous the policies are. Ultimately, however, I don't see how any of the existing viewcone view points are beneficial at all.

No offense, I don't think you really understand what makes Vancouver special or unique at all.

I have yet to find anyone on this forum who can explain how gaining Floors 50thru 60 of glass wall is somehow preferable to a view of the mountains.

[WarrenC12]

How about London? Paris? Ruined by their height restrictions no doubt...

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by yogiderek

I doubt that Washington DC will ever scrap the law that says nothing taller than the Washington Monument, but I know those are two other cities in North America similar to our view cone dilemma.

I wonder if it's that or the fact that Reagan National Airport (DCA) is so close to the Downtown?

[logan5]

Originally Posted by whatnext

No offense, I don't think you really understand what makes Vancouver special or unique at all.

I have yet to find anyone on this forum who can explain how gaining Floors 50thru 60 of glass wall is somehow preferable to a view of the mountains.

If there is a lack of developable land, then this necessitates that you build taller. This is the case for the DT peninsula. Though the only building type I would allow to go taller are office buildings. There are so few sites left for office development around the CBD, the view cones that we do have will not be hugely affected. For The Bay parkade, Post Office, and the new VAG site, a height limit of 800 feet. Though after 800 feet, you're probably not blocking mountains any more.

There was a similar idea a few years back to allow for select sites to go taller, but that got kiboshed. Maybe try again?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by whatnext

No offense, I don't think you really understand what makes Vancouver special or unique at all.

I have yet to find anyone on this forum who can explain how gaining Floors 50thru 60 of glass wall is somehow preferable to a view of the mountains.

How many times did you go see the mountains from the 5 or 6 view cone spots in the past 2 weeks? How many times? But you know, I've been enjoying the views of beautiful Shangrila, Trump and other nice tall buildings downtown at least a 100 times but yet to see a single view of the mountains shrouded by bad weather. Yup, seeing tall buildings in the winter makes my Vancouver very special indeed. What's more, they are even visible at night! Come summer, I don't have to perch myself on top of Cambie bridge, Granville bridge, City Hall and Queen E Park to enjoy the numerous mountain views this province provides. I would actually be on one of those mountains and the vistas are even more spectacular. Or I can bask in the sun on Spanish banks enjoying the views of the mountains. A few hundred-storey buildings downtown would have no impact at all.

With that said, someone living in a 60-storey condo facing the north shore can definitely see more views of the mountains than you in a single family home on the west side.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

How about London? Paris? Ruined by their height restrictions no doubt...

I'm sure you can describe in exquisite detail the mesmerizing natural topography of Paris and London, they're quite known for it...

[logan5]

My favorite "viewcone" is the view when crossing Kingsway at Broadway. Cityscape and the mountains... It looks great, and its a view that many other people in this dense neighbourhood enjoy. So how come this viewcone isn't being protected?

Every time a low-rise or mid-rise goes up it blocks our view. Once the stretch of Main between 2nd and 7th is developed, that great view from Kingsway and Broadway will be gone, regardless of any tall towers downtown. What's the point of restricting heights in the downtown core if we're building mid rise towers outside the core that are gonna completely block your view anyways? It's all so convoluted.

[Infrequent Poster]

Originally Posted by logan5

My favorite "viewcone" is the view when crossing Kingsway at Broadway. Cityscape and the mountains... It looks great, and its a view that many other people in this dense neighbourhood enjoy. So how come this viewcone isn't being protected?

Every time a low-rise or mid-rise goes up it blocks our view. Once the stretch of Main between 2nd and 7th is developed, that great view from Kingsway and Broadway will be gone, regardless of any tall towers downtown. What's the point of restricting heights in the downtown core if we're building mid rise towers outside the core that are gonna completely block your view anyways? It's all so convoluted.

The view from Kingsway and Broadway, is not part of what makes Vancouver "special". If you were older your opinion would not be so wrong.

[mukmuk64]

Originally Posted by logan5

My favorite "viewcone" is the view when crossing Kingsway at Broadway. Cityscape and the mountains... It looks great, and its a view that many other people in this dense neighbourhood enjoy. So how come this viewcone isn't being protected?

Every time a low-rise or mid-rise goes up it blocks our view. Once the stretch of Main between 2nd and 7th is developed, that great view from Kingsway and Broadway will be gone, regardless of any tall towers downtown. What's the point of restricting heights in the downtown core if we're building mid rise towers outside the core that are gonna completely block your view anyways? It's all so convoluted.

There is a view cone there... almost. The view cone is a tiny walk away at 7th and Main on the West side. It goes over the buildings on the East side of Main and will probably restrict new developments on that side of the street to 3-4 stories.

[logan5]

It's 6 to 9 stories as per the MP OCP. But even at 3 or 4 stories the view is blocked.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by whatnext

No offense, I don't think you really understand what makes Vancouver special or unique at all.

I have yet to find anyone on this forum who can explain how gaining Floors 50thru 60 of glass wall is somehow preferable to a view of the mountains.

I think that's what makes Vancouver "unique"

I'd love for Van to receive taller buildings. The city can build higher buildings that enhance the mountains. But the mountains themselves aren't going anywhere. Build higher, and people who live in those buildings, or work in those buildings would receive, you can say, better "views" from inside. And if you want unobstructed views of the mountains, to go the harbour, or the VCC. there's tons of views there, AND, plus it causes people to go to a common place for the views, sights and sounds.

too many people keep saying it's either or. I believe we can have both.

[logan5]

At the southwest corner of 2nd and Main you can do a before/after view on Google Earth streetview. It goes from 2012 to 2014. Illustrates my point about mid rise towers and even low rise that appears above the Shell station. A 4 story building destroys the 2nd and Main viewcone.

[mukmuk64]

Originally Posted by logan5

At the southwest corner of 2nd and Main you can do a before/after view on Google Earth streetview. It goes from 2012 to 2014. Illustrates my point about mid rise towers and even low rise that appears above the Shell station. A 4 story building destroys the 2nd and Main viewcone.

I don't really understand what point you're trying to make. There should have been a protected view cone at Main and 2nd? The closest view point to that location would be at the Olympic Village.

[Vin]

The more we talk about view cones, the more ludicrous they sound.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by mukmuk64

I don't really understand what point you're trying to make. There should have been a protected view cone at Main and 2nd? The closest view point to that location would be at the Olympic Village.

Why should a few viewcones be protected and a thousand other ones not? The views for 99.99% of the population are not being protected. That doesn't make sense to me.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by logan5

Why should a few viewcones be protected and a thousand other ones not? The views for 99.99% of the population are not being protected. That doesn't make sense to me.

very little makes sense in this city.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Vancity

very little makes sense in this city.

Really? I find that hard to believe.

[red-paladin]

From now on, unless we are talking about specific impact to a proposal / building, let's please keep all general talk / grumbling about viewcones and height limits here ok?