A pair of community groups on Vancouver’s Westside are exhorting the public to respond to two separate issues facing imminent deadlines for public feedback.

The Jericho and Kitsilano Coalitions urge all residents to complete both surveys on the City of Vancouver’s  Shape Your City website.

The Kitsilano Coalition (KC), a group of concerned citizens fighting for the future of their neighbourhood, has launched two lawsuits to fight the rezoning of the controversial 13-storey supportive/social housing project at 7^th-8^th Avenues at Arbutus St. The group says there are only a few days left to send your response to the City. Survey Deadline is Wednesday, July 5.

The group’s first lawsuit against the City of Vancouver was filed on Oct. 11, 2022. The Coalition’s claims included the lack of transparency on the selection of the project’s builder and housing operator (MPA), the failure of the City to provide a cost analysis and comparison on the type of construction to be used; and its failure to acknowledge the unsuitable site of the project , which is adjacent to a women’s recovery home and elementary school. But this spring, Premier David Eby overrode the municipality and squashed the group’s case by invoking Bill 26, a law enacted solely to advance this particular development.

In response, KC filed proceedings on May 25, 2023 with the BC Supreme Court, to challenge Bill 26 on the grounds that it violates the Canadian Constitution. The case is still waiting to be heard.

The City, meanwhile, recently and quietly posted the Arbutus project survey for public input. Once the comments are summarized, the project needs the support of only City Head Planner Theresa O’Donnell via the new expedited process (Bill 26) to proceed. No vote by Council will be required.

City Planner Jane Bateman wrote in an email to KC: “As a part of [Bill 26, AKA]the Municipalities Enabling and Validating (No. 5) Amendment Act, 2023 [leg.bc.ca] enacted by the Province on May 11, 2023, Vancouver Council was allowed to, without adopting into bylaw, enter into a housing agreement for this development application. This agreement has been finalized and is in the process of being registered with the Land Titles Office. It does not require further Council approval.”

When KC asked if Councillors would be able to ask questions pertaining to the proposal, Bateman replied: “Only the form of development will return to Council for approval following the Director of Planning decision on the development permit application. It will be scheduled during a regular Council meeting and Council is free to ask questions or provide comments on the form of development before voting. The public can view regular Council meetings online or in person.”

Jericho Lands Survey Ends July 16;
Jericho Coalition Presents Its Own Plan

Last week we told you about new plans for the Jericho Lands, presented by Landowners MST, the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) nations in partnership with the Canada Lands Corporation (CLC).

The change in density from the last plan has increased by a whopping 45%.

Here is the Jericho Lands survey. Please refer to our letter of June 13 for background information. The deadline to complete this public survey is July 16. The new proposal goes to the Urban Design Panel on Wednesday, July 5, at 3 pm. The public can observe in person or online. See Details.

The Jericho Coalition (JC), a group of neighbours who came together to stop what they see as the overdevelopment of the Jericho Lands, objects to several recommendations contained in the new plans: the much denser concept envisioned for the Lands—particularly the number and height of towers, some of which would reach 49 storeys.

In response to the updated MST plans, known as Phase 4, JC shared its own plan for the Jericho Lands with the public this past Friday, June 30. There is a short video included in the introduction which explains the Coalition’s preference for four-to-eight-storey “human scale” buildings on the Lands. JC says its vision, in contrast to the MST’s, offers increased climate resiliency and the use of more affordable materials (pre-fabricated wood would be used for building materials instead of concrete and steel). While the group agrees with the project’s guiding principles — that Indigenous values, reconciliation, and intergenerational and intercultural exchange and gathering will be embedded as founding principles in the expression of the Jericho Lands policies — it emphasizes that its new plan “respects the lands.”

UKRA always cautions members about City of Vancouver surveys because they do not normally present enough information for residents to make a good decision and are often worded to gain consent.

And with recent moves by the Province and the City to suppress public backlash from dissatisfied neighbours, public input is more often than not reduced to a single  survey.  

Still, it is essential that residents take advantage of any remaining communication channels with government. We urge you to fill out the City surveys to have your say.

How to Reach the Mayor and Council and
Stay Updated on the City’s Agenda:

• Here is the list of current City Councillors and Mayor.The City agenda is where you find past and upcoming meetings, and where you go to watch a meeting. Here is where to write to the Mayor and Council about an issue. Keep in mind that comments in this link are not read individually by Council members but are simply summarized by a staff member and then presented to Council.Reach the Mayor and Council individually here. You can find email addresses by scrolling to the bottom of the page.To speak at a public hearing, visit here. Comment about a public hearing here.