City of Vancouver approves first tower under the Broadway Plan
Posted November 14, 2024 8:31 pm.
Last Updated November 14, 2024 9:01 pm.
The first tower proposed under the City of Vancouver’s Broadway Plan — meant to greatly increase density along a corridor that will soon feature a subway — passed unanimously at city council Thursday evening.
The public hearing began Tuesday night, with many speakers coming out to oppose or support the 19-storey rental highrise, which is set to be located along East 10th between Main and Fraser.
The street is currently lined with single-family homes and large trees and is a designated bike path.
Coun. Brian Montague says this is an emotional issue for many in the neighbourhood, but decisions need to be made based on what’s good for the city.
“This is where council has to put on their land-regulator hats and make decisions that are based on certain criteria and what is in the best interest of the city, not necessarily on emotion,” he said.
“We have to judge the merit of the project. Does it align with city policies? The fact that the city has been in a 40-year drought on purpose-built rental density around transit, all these sorts of things, the fact that the city has a less than one per cent vacancy rate.”
About 100 towers have already been proposed under the Broadway Plan. This has raised concerns for some former city planners and architects, who argue too many towers will ruin the neighbourhoods of Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant.
Residents who are alarmed about the pace of change and the sheer volume of proposed highrises stemming from the Broadway Plan are holding a rally Nov. 23.
