High-rise Towers in Chinatown, Vancouver

Vancouver council meeting on Chinatown rezoning packed

VANCOUVER — Vancouver council chambers was standing-room only on Thursday night, as supporters and opponents of a controversial proposal to allow for taller buildings in Chinatown spoke at a public hearing.

At issue is the proposed rezoning of the area bordered by Quebec street to the west, Pender to the north, Gore to the east and Union to the south, to allow for the concentration of several high-rise condo buildings, ranging from seven to 15 storeys.

Wendy Pedersen, an organizer with the Carnegie Community Action Project, said a chief concern is that the rezoning would drive up rent prices and displace the area's low-income residents.

Pedersen said a local area planning process should be completed and more residents consulted before further action is taken.

Ivan Chiu, a concerned citizen whose mother lives in the area, said he is worried about what might happen to low-income housing in the area. He also questioned whether more density would contribute to increased traffic and pollution along the Main Street corridor.

Also at city hall were about 30 supporters clad in red T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Support Chinatown HAHR" (Historic Area Height Review). Many of them believe the rezoning is needed to revitalize the area, which has been in a steady decline for years.

 

 

Shirley Chan, past chair of the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee, said it was sad to see so many empty storefronts in Chinatown, where she grew up.

Couns. Raymond Louie and Kerry Jang expressed concerns over creating a "great wall" of block-face buildings. The planning committee responded by saying the buildings would be staggered, with set-back fronts, to preserve the feel of the neighborhood.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said 117 people had signed up to speak and that a second meeting will be held April 5 to accommodate all speakers.

According to a draft rezoning proposal, the "development of higher buildings in this area shall balance the opportunity for additional growth and resulting public benefits with preserving the important heritage and cultural character of Chinatown."

A decade-long consultation process with Chinatown residents, businesses, community members and others by the Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee found 38 Chinatown organizations to be in favour, including social services society SUCCESS, the Chinese Benevolent Association and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Classical Garden.

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