Vancouver council approves controversial 28-storey tower in Fairview neighbourhood
Posted July 21, 2020 5:22 pm.
Last Updated July 21, 2020 5:26 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Vancouver City Council has passed a motion to rezone an area at Birch and Broadway in Vancouver to build a 28-floor tower.
The site, which was once a Denny’s in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood has been approved Tuesday afternoon, squeaking by with a vote of six to five.
The motion will add 58 approved moderate-income rental homes and is the ninth Moderate Income Rental Pilot Project approved by the council that allows up to 20 rezonings for new buildings.
“In addition to new homes for households earning between $30-80K per year, the pilot project has resulted in an additional 886 secure market rental homes,” a release from the City of Vancouver reads.
Under the MIRHPP, moderate-income rents are set at a maximum average starting rent of $950 per month for studios, $1,200 for one-bedroom apartments, $1,600 for two bedrooms, and $2,000 for three bedrooms.
“Expanding affordable housing opportunities close to transit and jobs with zero displacements of existing residents is a huge win for residents,” Mayor Kennedy Stewart said.
“These types of homes are critical to keeping more middle-income households, including our nurses, firefighters, bus drivers, and teachers, housed within the city.”
The City of Vancouver expects the project will generate about 900 off-site and on-site jobs.
RELATED ARTICLE: Vancouver council set to decide fate of controversial 28-storey rental building in Fairview
Earlier this month, there was a marathon public hearing about the contentious project and about 100 people signed up to address the council.
Those opposed said the building is too tall, and argue the neighbourhood is not equipped to handle the density. And people in support stressed the need for rental housing, particularly affordable units.
– With files from Lisa Steacy
