No decision Monday on controversial Chinatown condo project at Vancouver City Hall
Link By Simon Little & Kristen Robinson Global News
Posted June 12, 2023 10:01 pm Updated June 13, 2023 1:07 am
"The land at the corner of Keefer and Columbia streets has sat empty for years.
Developer Beedie Living's condo tower was originally voted down by the city’s development permit board in 2017.
However, a challenge in BC Supreme Court, plus a shift in community sentiment, has given the project new life.
The nine-story, mixed-use commercial building—with plans for retail, a senior living centre and 111 residential units—is expected to be approved.
Vancouver Tenants Union has expressed concerns about the project’s lack of social housing, but seven legacy groups, including the Chinatown Business Improvement Association, have signed a letter of support for the development.The battle over a controversial proposed condo project in Vancouver’s Chinatown was back at city hall again Monday with no decision reached for a second time.
All registered speakers were heard but the final decision has now been deferred to June 26 at 3 p.m.
The city’s Development Permit Board reconvened to hear speakers weigh in on Beedie Living’s proposal for 105 Keefer St., after a previous hearing also ran out of time to hear everyone.
Forty-eight people had their say on May 30, and double that many spoke Monday."
Another two week wait.
Controversial condo tower in Vancouver’s Chinatown could get green light
Link Regan Hasegawa CTV News Vancouver Multi-Media Journalist
Updated June 12, 2023 6:57 p.m. PDT Published June 12, 2023 8:01 a.m. PDT
"The land at the corner of Keefer and Columbia streets has sat empty for years.
Developer Beedie Living's condo tower was originally voted down by the city’s development permit board in 2017.
However, a challenge in BC Supreme Court, plus a shift in community sentiment, has given the project new life.
The nine-story, mixed-use commercial building—with plans for retail, a senior living centre and 111 residential units—is expected to be approved.
Vancouver Tenants Union has expressed concerns about the project’s lack of social housing, but seven legacy groups, including the Chinatown Business Improvement Association, have signed a letter of support for the development. “This has been an empty parking lot for over 50 years. Even before I was around, Chinatown has gone through evolutions over the last 100 years and this is just part of it,” said Jordan Eng, president of the Chinatown BIA.
Eng says he believes the development will contribute to an inclusive neighborhood for seniors and working people.
“These aren't luxury condominiums. No one goes to Chinatown to buy a luxury condominium,” said Eng.
He adds that the past five years have been tough for Chinatown, in part due to the hard hit of the pandemic."
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