Vancouver council votes for fresh start for False Creek South plan

Vancouver city council has unanimously voted to scrap a “conceptual plan” for the False Creek South neighbourhood, and start over from scratch.

The vote Thursday came after a meeting that spanned four days and heard from more than 100 speakers.

The outcome tonight is a result of your voices & stories.

The #FalseCreekSouth planning process will be a chance for us to imagine the next 15 years & the next 50 years, together. With current residents, and in the service of future residents too. #VanPoli (: Ted McGrath) pic.twitter.com/ueSCugouGS

— Christine Boyle (@christineeboyle) October 29, 2021

Jason Forsyth, president of the False Creek Housing Co-op, says the news comes as a relief, calling the previous process “upside down and backwards.”

The proposal that was voted down came from the city’s general manager of real estate and facilities management, and would have seen the area significantly densified. The number of units would have increased from the current 1,850 to 6,645 and would have included buildings ranging from six to 28 stories. The report to council said previous consultation showed “broad support for density.”

Forsyth says he and other residents who spoke to council aren’t opposed to new construction, and strongly support bringing more affordable housing to the area.

“Density is still on the table and will be part of the planning process with the community. The key difference is, this time around, the community will be part of the planning process, and the planning department will be leading that process,” he says.

“A new, inclusive, and transparent planning process will be beginning.”

RELATED: Locals welcome Vancouver bringing more diversity, affordability to False Creek South

While city staff said the plan “honours and refreshes the original 1970s vision,” Forsyth describes it as “pretty aggressive,” saying it was too much too fast. Instead, he favours more gradual change, which is what he says this decision will allow.

“What Council really got right was they put the priority back on creating more affordable housing for families, while protecting the unique legacy of this community. They put the priority back on creating more affordable housing for families, while protecting the unique legacy of this community.”

Tonight Council took a big step towards more affordable housing in False Creek South by moving ahead with community planning and consultations.

We heard so many moving stories about how thriving this community is, but also how difficult it is for new residents to join. #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/OZm9kaIDsL

— Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) October 29, 2021

False Creek South is home to 5,597 people. Eighty of the 100 acres are owned by the city, making them landlord to about 1,800 households. Many of the 60-year land leases in the area will expire in the next 15 – 25 years, something that has given residents anxiety as deadlines loom. A process of renewing these leases for housing co-ops was approved earlier this year.

The community was planned as a “mixed-income and mixed-tenure” area. It consists of market rentals, subsidized units, housing co-operatives and privately owned homes and businesses. When compared to the city as a whole, the population is older, wealthier, and less diverse.

Mayor Kenneday Stewart and six councillors issued a joint statement, a rare move from a council that is often divided.

“Tonight Council took a big step towards more affordable housing by directing staff to move ahead with community planning and resident consultations for False Creek South,” he said.

“We heard so many moving stories showing just how thriving and connected this community is, but also how difficult it is for new residents to put down roots here. By adding more housing, especially co-ops and below-market rentals without displacing current residents, a new generation will be able to call this unique neighbourhood home.”

The consultation will begin in 2022.