Broadway Plan Emerging Directions: Kitsilano

Hello Philip,

Thank you for the question. City of Vancouver policies and By-laws, including the Vancouver Building Bylaw do not apply to the Senakw development. 

Thank you,

Andrew

Hello Heather, 

The main tool currently in use to protect against the loss of existing rental housing in Broadway is the Rental Housing Stock Official Development Plan (ODP). The ODP overs about 79% of existing purpose-built rental housing in the area and requires that redevelopment projects with three or more dwelling units replace every demolished rental unit. 

You can read the full ODP here: https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/odp/odp-rental-housing-stock.pdf

This council report also provides some more detail on the ODP effectiveness and it’s place within the City’s broader approach to prioritizing rental housing: https://council.vancouver.ca/20180515/documents/p6.pdf

Best regards,

The Broadway Planning Team

Hello Kerry, 

The Broadway Plan will be a 30 year area plan so it is important that we consider community needs both today and into the future. You are right that there have been significant rental market impacts this past year as a result of the global pandemic which has forced many renters to make hard decisions about whether to stay in their units or move back home etc. This has also impacted landlords, e.g. international students may have gone home therefore it is likely harder to rent a suite along the UBC travel route. However looking forward to a post-pandemic city we anticipate that rental demand will remain and we want to provide opportunities to meet that need into the future through the Broadway Plan.

Regarding upgrades for existing aging buildings, through the plan we are proposing to provide opportunities for additional height/density to enable buildings that are not well maintained to redevelop while being able to provide a certain level of affordability in the new building. We are also partnering with the Province and Landlord BC on a pilot program to fund energy retrofits in existing older rental buildings without displacing tenants.

I’m not sure what your definition of “inner city housing” is however, in general cities across Canada provide opportunities for non-market housing in partnership with senior levels of government and the non-profit sector. If you’re interested in reading more about other cities’ affordable housing strategies here a few resources: 

• HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/community-partners/affordable-housing-partners/housingto-2020-2030-action-plan/
• Montreal 2018-2021 Strategy to Develop 12,000 Affordable Social Housing Units: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/community-partners/affordable-housing-partners/housingto-2020-2030-action-plan/
• Calgary Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy: https://www.calgary.ca/cs/olsh/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-overview.html

Best regards,

The Broadway Planning Team

Hi Trevor, 

Thank you for the great question. You’re absolutely right that there is a cycling connection gap south of 15^th Ave in the Alder area, and we are exploring ways to address that gap. As you had mentioned, the land use and road network in the Shaughnessy area make it challenging to provide a good cycling connection. Currently we don’t have a potential route identified yet; however, we will consider this connection as we refine the Broadway plan.

Best regards,

The Broadway Planning Team

Hello HealtherB,

You raise a number of good points. At a high level, the Broadway Plan's Housing Emerging Directions aim to prioritize protection of existing rental housing, enable existing renters to remain in their neighbourhoods, and create opportunities for new affordable homes. We heard during our engagement that increasing non-profit and affordable housing supply is important. The emerging directions policy introduce the idea of providing new social, supportive, co-op and below market rental housing. Work force housing supporting people who work in the local economy is something we're looking to support as well. To learn more please click here and view the Emerging Directions boards page 54-58  More details on this will be fleshed out as the Broadway Plan workplan progresses in Phase 3.

Best,

Andrew

Hello HeatherB,

Thanks for the question. We're currently at the 2D stage of the Plan where we're engaging on the neighbourhood growth and change. The more 3D elements such as heights, densities, and forms will be engaged on in Phase 3 in June/July 2021. We should have more specifics on heights at that point.

Best,

Andrew

Hello Brandon,

Great question. We're using a mixed methods approach and doing specific engagement with groups who are underrepresented. We know that renters are one of these groups. Its for this reason we're creating a dedicated space for renters to provide their feedback. Below are dates for the "Renter Roundtables".

You can register to participate in the following neighbourhood roundtables:

Mount Pleasant – March 23, 6:00-7:30PM – Register here for the event

Fairview – March 24, 6:00-7:30PM – Register here for the event

Kitsilano – March 25, 6:00-7:30PM - Register here for the event

Andrew

Hello David,

The purpose of the Broadway Plan is to think about how the neighbourhoods immediately around the future Broadway Subway will grow, change and take advantage of the rapid transit infrastructure over the next thirty years. The boundaries of the Broadway Plan align specifically with the future subway route. I would agree with you that Blenheim to MacDonald are important areas however they don't quite align with the subway extension and therefore out of scope (for the time being).

Best,

Andrew

Hello Bob1,

Thank you for your question. 16th Avenue is a long street that cuts across our entire study area. Is there a particular area you're interested in learning more about? Is there a particular topic your interested in such as housing or transportation along 16th?

Andrew

Hello Paz,

Thank you for your interest in this project.  Housing BC is leading engagement on this project-not the Broadway Plan.  If you would like to provide your feedback, I would encourage you to participate in their virtual online engagement sessions for local residents to learn about the proposed project, ask questions and express feedback. You can also visit Let’s Talk Housing https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/vancouver-west-8.

Additionally, the proposal is at a very early stage. Due to urgent need for affordable housing across Vancouver, all city owned sites that are suitable for development of low cost housing will be considered for that purpose. The city looks for opportunities to put supportive housing in areas with good access to transit and services. 

Thank you your question and comment. 

Andrew