More than 200 people signed up to speak at the July 14 public hearing on the Villages Plan, but only 26 people were given the opportunity to speak before City Council shut the meeting down at 10 pm. The Plan seeks to add significant densification to 17 areas across Vancouver.

The public hearing reconvenes at 1 pm on Monday, July 20.

As of July 17, Council had received 2,031 letters of opposition to the plan from the public, and 484 in support. You can still send your comments to Council or sign up to speak at the meeting until 11:30 am, Monday, July 20.

The Villages program may be the most contentious planning proposal to hit Vancouver since the Broadway Plan. Should it pass, our neighbourhood of Upper Kitsilano and other Westside neighbourhoods will be among those targeted in the plan. (See Upper Kitsilano map rendering  by Vancouver architect Brian Palmquist above).

The Villages strategy in summary:

• Introduces one-size-fits-all rezoning of 17areas in the city
• Encompasses 550–600 blocks and 13,000 properties city-wide
• Adds 6-storey apartments on quiet residential side-streets
• Includes 8-storey apartments in transit-oriented areas
• Proposes new commercial streets that will compete with existing shopping areas, many of which are already struggling
• Requires new commercial mixed-use zoning of 6-8 storeys with retail at grade only
• Removes the right of homeowners in new mixed-use zoning to build additions or laneway houses on their properties
• Offers no protections or incentives to retain heritage or character buildings.