Broadway Plan vote expected at Vancouver City Hall Wednesday

The future of the Broadway corridor in Vancouver is up for a vote at City Hall Wednesday.

The city’s Broadway Plan is set to transform hundreds of blocks along the artery, but it’s had a rough ride through city council, with hours of debate, public hearings, and dozens of amendments.

That has forced delays in approving the plan, stretching through several council hearings and meetings.

Wednesday’s meeting is happening because one held on June 9 went too long, lasting several hours until just before 10 p.m.

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The process to potentially densify the Broadway corridor was delayed by dozens of amendments — 42 tweaks — with one of the most commonly used phrase of the night being “I’d like to make an amendment to the amendment.”

A big topic of contention in the plan remains how it will affect renters across the corridor and surrounding areas, with many voicing concerns that more people would be priced out of an already unaffordable market.

However, a unanimous council vote earlier this month would assure protections to renters, including the right to go back to a replacement building at up to 20 per cent below the assessed market rates or their previous rent, whichever is cheaper.

A final version of the plan, including amendments to renter protections and towers per block, is expected to be voted on Wednesday, should the meeting not be extended or delayed.

-With files from Kier Junos