Speakers list for Fraser and 23rd rezoning, July 2019
Hyperlocal opposition to rental housing on the east side
An example of hyperlocal opposition to new housing on the east side: a rezoning at Fraser and 23rd in July 2019, for a six-storey market rental building with 120 apartments, replacing four single-detached houses. Compared to condos, renting in a building like this provides secure housing (you can’t be evicted by a landlord reclaiming the apartment for personal or family use), without having to be wealthy enough to own.
The opposition was led by the Fraser Street Neighbourhood Coalition. This is a group organized by Don Davies, a federal NDP MP who lives in the neighbourhood, because he was concerned about the number of rezoning applications for six-storey rental buildings on Fraser Street.
Davies spoke at the public hearing and framed his opposition in a left-wing way (somewhat like Jean Swanson), saying that the apartments weren’t affordable enough (without noting that they were far more affordable than owning). At the same time, he said that the building was too high. He didn’t seem aware of the tradeoff between height and affordability: less height means that each household is consuming more expensive land, and it’s not possible to include non-market rentals.
Housing is an issue which cuts across the usual left-right divide. Kennedy Stewart, mayor of Vancouver and a former NDP MP, spoke strongly in support of the project and voted for it.
The rezoning passed 8-3, with Colleen Hardwick, Jean Swanson, and Adriane Carr opposed.
Direct links to all speakers are included below.
July 9:
7:56:15 Presentation by Scott Erdman, planner
8:54:28 Karim Windsor (support)
8:57:32 Alex Hemingway, CCPA (support)
9:03:00 Michelle Segal, Fraser Street Neighbourhood Coalition (oppose)
9:19:30 Lynn Werner (oppose)
9:27:48 Daniel Oleksiuk, Abundant Housing Vancouver (support)
9:38:25 Nick Calogeros (support)
9:44:35 Don Davies, NDP MP for Vancouver Kingsway (oppose)
July 11:
6:23:39 Lucas Berube, Rize Alliance (support)
6:32:12 Stefan Krepiakevich, Hootsuite (support)
6:39:00 Adam Galey (oppose)
6:56:16 Martina Lee (oppose)
7:06:00 Ben Mortensen, UBC (oppose)
7:14:53 Kim McCarthy, Fraser Street Neighbourhood Coalition (oppose)
7:26:24 Susan Gill (oppose)
7:34:33 Allan Matsalla (oppose)
7:46:14 Alex Burgers (support)
8:01:55 Christie Matsalla (oppose)
8:07:29 Norma Hawkinson (oppose)
8:13:23 Sean Keenan, Avison Young (support)
8:16:50 Gordon Buntain, Buntain Insurance (support)
8:29:05 Rob McKay-Dunn, Urban Development Institute (support)
8:48:53 Tamara Taggart, Liberal candidate for Vancouver Kingsway (support)
9:09:36 Toby Dent (oppose)
9:17:35 Grace McKenzie (oppose)
9:25:25 Benjamin Samson (support)
9:26:40 Alexander Wright (support)
9:32:25 Louise Chow (support)
9:34:15 Larry Kazean (oppose)
More:
Agenda for July 9 and 11 public hearing - includes the staff report, video, minutes, and correspondence for and against.
Daily Hive: 121 rental homes proposed for Fraser Street near King Edward (August 2018), MP against proposed Fraser Street rental housing due to height and market prices, Vancouver council approves new Fraser Street redevelopment with 121 rental homes.
According to the building website, it’s now fully rented. There’s another Strand rental project on Main Street, the Riley.
Related posts: “We’re full.” Kennedy Stewart on renting vs. owning. Speakers list for 1805 Larch rezoning. Hyperlocal opposition to new housing.