Council Is About to Mull a Bold Solution to Vancouver’s Housing Crisis
Why Coun. Boyle’s motion to give density bonuses just to non-profits in some areas could be a game-changer.
Patrick Condon is the James Taylor chair in Landscape and Livable Environments at UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the founding chair of the UBC urban design program. SHARES The area bounded by Burrard Street and Laurel Street, and Cornwall Avenue and Fourth Avenue, is among those Coun. Christine Boyle’s motion proposes for non-profit-only density bonuses.
This Wednesday, Vancouver council will deliberate on a member motion that might go a long way towards solving the city’s horrible housing crisis. For reasons I’ll explain, it is vulnerable to criticisms. Still, I’m glad to see it tried, as it represents a significantly new approach.
It is an extraordinary proposal: 12-storey rental housing extensively in Vancouver, with no public hearings.
Under the guise of expanding the supply of “social housing,” Vancouver council is hearing a motion this week from councillor Christine Boyle – backed by mayor Kennedy Stewart – that would unleash a divisive remake of the community.
Forget that the proposal would suffocate public hearings when development is proposed. Forget that the proposal would override zoning that took years of negotiations to define.
Forget that the proposal doubles down on a move only last month by council to permit extra height and density in several districts.