Is democracy on the outs? The CoV seems to have more and more power to do whatever the hell they feel like doing. Forget what we want and what “promises” the current civic government made. They seem to be doing whatever the f@ck they want. I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall.
The know-it-alls in all levels of BC politics think that building more will help our housing crisis. It hasn’t helped so far in the last 25 years; in fact, it’s gotten much worse. Typical wrong-headed thinking in my opinion since investors have driven the buyers’ market steadily over decades, using the need for people to acquire affordable homes as a way to pad their bank accounts. These people are stuck on building high rises around transit stations and that mainly serves only the people who have to take transit. In the meanwhile we have to pay multiple transit taxes to cover the billions spent on unnecessary transit lines. Anyone else think that Langley should have come before UBC?
It just makes it all the more urgent to ensure The Broadway Plan and The Vancouver Plan either change drastically before becoming ODPs or are stopped from becoming ODPs. The former is unlikely considering the agenda of the planning department but the later is possible through a coordinated legal challenge to process. Or maybe the two work together and the legal challenge buys time to make the sweeping changes required to planning (and possibly council).
OK — LOOK — Next time you guys are cracking open the beers and trash talkin' urbanism.... I WANT IN!!!!!!
Ebby or whomever, at the provincial level, federal or regional—you name it—are gonna dictate local policy? Approve towers, and shove them down people's throats...
Don't think that is a winning hand in politics.
And mainly because I don't think that building towers—outside the Downtown—is good urbanism. [Give me one of them 0.0 beers... I'm trying to lose weight]
So, if we have lawyers and politicians with hair on their knuckles dictating the form and character of our neighborhoods... I say—Bring it On!
There are two unpopular words in BC politics and Vancouver social circles: revolution and reform!
French Revolution took place between May 5, 1789 – November 9, 1799. Paris has the same latitude as Vancouver, so the weather is 'factored in'. Russian revolution took place between March 8, 1917 – June 16, 1923. I've not yet been to St. Petersburg but I'm guessing 15 October is a bit late in the season for outdoor rallies. We have between now and 15 October to turn the tables over!
On 15 October this year we have a chance to take the city back... 1477 W Broadway? BS Corridor Plan? [The Bogus] Vancouver Plan?
I say no.
NONE of those issues are the #1 issue on 15 October. The #1 issue is: Affordable Housing for ALL Canadians. We are the largest free and democratic nation on the globe by land mass. We are not running out of space anytime soon. So, how come we cannot build towns and urban villages in enough quantity to satisfy demand and lower house prices? Make the all co-op if we have to! Government regulates the markets. We can do what what is right for the people, boost employment, supercharge the mom-and-pop sector and wind up with an urbanism of a quality deserving of this great geography we occupy.
The #1 issue is Affordable Houses for ALL Canadians. Tattoo that on my forehead!
Then we can ask of the BS Corridor Plan, and the Vancouver Plan: Where are the Affordable Houses for ALL Canadians? We need at least 500,000 before the markets are going to cool down.
So, where is the BEEF?
If the Vancouver Plan cannot identify them—trash it! IF the Broadway Plan is going to wedge them into fancy towers like 1477 W Broadway—scarp it!
Honest. We have only 1 STUPID question:
Where [in this tower, corridor plan or city plan] is the Affordable Housing? [The definition is provided by CMHC. Affordable = 3 years wages before taxes.
In Vancouver the median wage is:
$72,585 (you can find it on Google). Three times that equals:
$217,755
CMHC says 80% of Canadians can buy a 800 SF bungalow on a lot (plus unfinished basement and attic) for that price. Or a 1,000 sf town house or condo.
Not in our city!!!!
But we have to put government's feet to the fire with it—until they either cough up the Affordable Housing or cry 'uncle' and let somebody else occupy their seat.
It is now... or [I fear] never.
So when some political wants to weigh in on the issue, let's get them to answer our 1 STUPID question!
That should either (1) stop them on their tracks or (2) get them out of office the next election.
It may take a few more cycles still. However, I don't see the Bonfire of the Housing Crisis getting anything by hotter.
So, let's just go after government one election at a time, every election.
WE can win this one folks. We can win it if we stay together.
Canada for Canadians!!!!!
Geez... do I have enough room on my forehead for another tattoo??
How can ‘democracy be gone’ when the public officials we elected are driving the policy, oh and the small matter of endless public input solicited during evaluation - sit down NIMBY we need more housing
How can democracy possibly be gone when it’s the elected public officials that are driving the policy and the permitting process? Added to that countless opportunities to provide input and comments? Sit down NIMBYs we need housing desperately.
I signed up to speak. Hopefully the time I get is when I am not teaching or at a reading or poetry month event. :-)
Is democracy on the outs? The CoV seems to have more and more power to do whatever the hell they feel like doing. Forget what we want and what “promises” the current civic government made. They seem to be doing whatever the f@ck they want. I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall.
No - absolutely unacceptable. Who pays the bills here. The taxpayers need to have a say on any rezoning.
Absolutely not!
Thank you for your insightful analysis and for sounding the alarm. We must preserve democracy!
The know-it-alls in all levels of BC politics think that building more will help our housing crisis. It hasn’t helped so far in the last 25 years; in fact, it’s gotten much worse. Typical wrong-headed thinking in my opinion since investors have driven the buyers’ market steadily over decades, using the need for people to acquire affordable homes as a way to pad their bank accounts. These people are stuck on building high rises around transit stations and that mainly serves only the people who have to take transit. In the meanwhile we have to pay multiple transit taxes to cover the billions spent on unnecessary transit lines. Anyone else think that Langley should have come before UBC?
It just makes it all the more urgent to ensure The Broadway Plan and The Vancouver Plan either change drastically before becoming ODPs or are stopped from becoming ODPs. The former is unlikely considering the agenda of the planning department but the later is possible through a coordinated legal challenge to process. Or maybe the two work together and the legal challenge buys time to make the sweeping changes required to planning (and possibly council).
OK — LOOK — Next time you guys are cracking open the beers and trash talkin' urbanism.... I WANT IN!!!!!!
Ebby or whomever, at the provincial level, federal or regional—you name it—are gonna dictate local policy? Approve towers, and shove them down people's throats...
Don't think that is a winning hand in politics.
And mainly because I don't think that building towers—outside the Downtown—is good urbanism. [Give me one of them 0.0 beers... I'm trying to lose weight]
So, if we have lawyers and politicians with hair on their knuckles dictating the form and character of our neighborhoods... I say—Bring it On!
There are two unpopular words in BC politics and Vancouver social circles: revolution and reform!
French Revolution took place between May 5, 1789 – November 9, 1799. Paris has the same latitude as Vancouver, so the weather is 'factored in'. Russian revolution took place between March 8, 1917 – June 16, 1923. I've not yet been to St. Petersburg but I'm guessing 15 October is a bit late in the season for outdoor rallies. We have between now and 15 October to turn the tables over!
On 15 October this year we have a chance to take the city back... 1477 W Broadway? BS Corridor Plan? [The Bogus] Vancouver Plan?
I say no.
NONE of those issues are the #1 issue on 15 October. The #1 issue is: Affordable Housing for ALL Canadians. We are the largest free and democratic nation on the globe by land mass. We are not running out of space anytime soon. So, how come we cannot build towns and urban villages in enough quantity to satisfy demand and lower house prices? Make the all co-op if we have to! Government regulates the markets. We can do what what is right for the people, boost employment, supercharge the mom-and-pop sector and wind up with an urbanism of a quality deserving of this great geography we occupy.
The #1 issue is Affordable Houses for ALL Canadians. Tattoo that on my forehead!
Then we can ask of the BS Corridor Plan, and the Vancouver Plan: Where are the Affordable Houses for ALL Canadians? We need at least 500,000 before the markets are going to cool down.
So, where is the BEEF?
If the Vancouver Plan cannot identify them—trash it! IF the Broadway Plan is going to wedge them into fancy towers like 1477 W Broadway—scarp it!
Honest. We have only 1 STUPID question:
Where [in this tower, corridor plan or city plan] is the Affordable Housing? [The definition is provided by CMHC. Affordable = 3 years wages before taxes.
In Vancouver the median wage is:
$72,585 (you can find it on Google). Three times that equals:
$217,755
CMHC says 80% of Canadians can buy a 800 SF bungalow on a lot (plus unfinished basement and attic) for that price. Or a 1,000 sf town house or condo.
Not in our city!!!!
But we have to put government's feet to the fire with it—until they either cough up the Affordable Housing or cry 'uncle' and let somebody else occupy their seat.
It is now... or [I fear] never.
So when some political wants to weigh in on the issue, let's get them to answer our 1 STUPID question!
That should either (1) stop them on their tracks or (2) get them out of office the next election.
It may take a few more cycles still. However, I don't see the Bonfire of the Housing Crisis getting anything by hotter.
So, let's just go after government one election at a time, every election.
WE can win this one folks. We can win it if we stay together.
Canada for Canadians!!!!!
Geez... do I have enough room on my forehead for another tattoo??
Can you explain why your rendering shows FSR~40 towers when the Broadway Plan only contemplates FSR~10? This seems pretty deceptive.
How can ‘democracy be gone’ when the public officials we elected are driving the policy, oh and the small matter of endless public input solicited during evaluation - sit down NIMBY we need more housing
How can democracy possibly be gone when it’s the elected public officials that are driving the policy and the permitting process? Added to that countless opportunities to provide input and comments? Sit down NIMBYs we need housing desperately.