A six-storey rental at 4th and Balaclava
Applicant died after nearly a decade trying to get approval
Peter Miller tried to replace three old duplexes at 4th and Balaclava, built in the 1940s, with a six-storey, 35-unit rental building, 20% non-market. Because it’s in Kitsilano, opposition was fierce.
The rezoning application came to a public hearing in February 2021. There were about 150 comments in support, and over 500 comments in opposition. At the public hearing, 26 people spoke in support; 35 spoke in opposition. The public hearing took four days. Finally, council approved the rezoning. (Only Colleen Hardwick was opposed.)
From the Upper Kitsilano Residents Association:
Property owner Peter Miller said he had spent the last eight years trying to redevelop the site but had been turned away on each occasion by the City Planning department. According to Miller, Planning told him that the only way to have his project approved was to apply under the MIRHPP.
City website for the rezoning application
Agenda for public hearing, February 2021
Video from February 16, starting with presentations by city staff and the applicant
City website for the development permit application, approved May 2022
Peter Miller died in July 2022, at the age of 85. He'd spent more than 10% of his life trying to get this project approved. The old duplexes are still there.