Council says no to housing on public golf courses

Good morning,

Apparently, Ken is the top costume for politicians in BC, with both Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Premier David Eby dressing up as the movie character for Halloween. If we had to pick a winner, I guess we’d go with Mayor Ken Sim since his name is, well, Ken.

If their Ken job is politician, then my Ken job must be newsletter. Here’s today’s stories:

• 🚨 A new coalition pressuring action on crime

• ⛳ Why public golf courses are here to stay

Let’s get to it!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity newsletter writer

PUBLIC SAFETY

Coalition demands action on crime, and theft in BC

Crime avengers assemble!

What happened: A coalition made up of nearly three dozen groups, including BC’s biggest businesses, are calling on the government to do more to address the rise in street crime, such as shoplifting and violent assaults, and get it under control, according to the Vancouver Sun. The group is calling itself SOS, or Save Our Streets.

Background: The ask comes as media reports of shoplifting and violence towards employees grows. The head of the group, Clint Mahlman is also the COO of London Drugs, had to clarify two weeks ago that their main store in downtown Vancouver was not closing after a councillor tweeted that they were shutting down due to crime, according to CityNews.  

Who’s to blame: The group directed most of the blame at provincial and federal governments, who they say have the resources to deal with the problem. Ken Sim is probably happy to hear that!

Light on solutions: Mahlman did not reveal any specific policy asks, noting that governments needed to find solutions and that “we can’t prescribe it for them because that is their role,” according to CityNews.

A nuanced argument?: Karen Kuwica, VP of the Nanaimo Area Public Safety Association, pointed out that dealing just with the criminals isn’t enough, and bigger changes needed to happen: 

• “Violence and crime are symptoms of a larger cause, and treating the symptom alone will not cure the cause. We need to cure both with reformed social policy that can restore civil society rather than doubling down on what we already know is failing,” Kuwica said according to CityNews.

Digging into the data: There is no doubt people feel less safe. But what does the data tell us? After peaking in 2019 at 27,928, Vancouver in 2022 had the second lowest incidence of theft under $5,000 at 17,116 according to StatsCan Data. 

Looking at total violent criminal code violations from 2012, the number has grown in the last 10 years, at 9,418 in 2022, compared to an average of 8,440 for the previous nine years. But from 2003 to 2012, the average number was 10,381, which is 963 more on average than in 2022.

• If we look at the average number of violent incidents per 100,000, rather than the total number, in the past 20 years, the average is 1,484 compared to 1,330 in 2022. In the last 10 years it’s at 1,258. That’s an increase of five percent in 2022 compared to the average.

What StatsCan data says: If you don’t want to read all the data above, then the key takeaway is that while violence has risen, it’s not much different than historical numbers, and in fact tends to be lower.

• Yes, but: It should be noted this is data that “comes to the attention of police” and does not include unreported events. As well, whatever the data says cannot be divorced from the lived experiences of front-line workers who feel less safe.

What it means: Crime continues to be a hot-button issue that politicians at all levels are dealing with. The problem won’t be easy to deal with, as the causes cross into many other concurrent problems such as poverty, rising inflation and cost of living, unsafe drug supply and unaffordable housing.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🏢 5: The number of new towers approved at Metrotown, creating more than 2,000 new homes. Vancouver council take note! [Business in Vancouver]

👟 200: The number of laps a Vancouver teacher ran around his school to raise awareness to call on the federal government to fulfill its 2021 election promise to create a $1 billion Canada-wide school lunch program. [CBC]

📈 2.3%: How much BC Hydro is asking to increase hydro rates next April. This is below the current level of inflation. [Globe and Mail]

SPONSORED BY PRODUCTIVITYGLUDE

Better productivity. In just 30 seconds

Experience productivity like never before with an email that respects your time. ProductivityGlide is the bite-sized newsletter that brings you success stories, productivity tips, actionable tips to help you skyrocket your efficiency. All packed into a 30 second read.

Say goodbye to information overload and hello to your most productive day ever. Sign up with 1-click here or subscribe on their site.

TRANSPORTATION

No housing on golf courses for you!

What happened: In a unanimous decision, the park board decided to reject calls to turn some publicly-owned golf course land into housing, according to CBC. Instead, they voted in favour of a long-term plan that seeks to build on the existing courses and increase revenue for the city through capital and maintenance improvements. 

• This decision is similar to what previous councils have done. 

Background: There are two full golf courses and three pitch-and-puts, including the popular Stanley Park course comprising 1.65 percent of all city land. They brought in $14 million in revenue to the park board, by far its biggest revenue generator. 

Those in favour: In the midst of a housing crisis, maintaining golf courses on land that could be used for housing seems antiquated. A former urban planner with the city Scot Hein noted that there were 120 acres of underutilized area on the edge of the courses that could’ve been developed into thousands of non-market housing, according to the Vancouver Sun.  

Those opposed: Commissioner Jas Viridi noted that they’re huge sources of biodiversity, and provide people with access to outdoor spaces, according CBC. This was shared by most councillors. Also, once the land is gone, it’s gone. 

What it means: This decision serves as a microcosm for the larger debate between expanding housing while preserving Vancouver’s natural environment. It’ll be a debate that continues as the city tries to build more housing. But to put this in context, one story noted 3,000 units could be built on the land, while it’s estimated that a backlog of applications for rezoning stands at 35,000 homes according to the Vancouver Sun. 

DREAM HOME

Today we’re heading over to Strathcona, one of my favourite neighbourhoods, to check out a lovely two-bedroom apartment.

What it loses in space, at 725 square feet, it makes up for in beauty. The nicely laid out two-bedroom apartment has access to a large patio, with a combined kitchen, living and dining room that’s just waiting for your creative spark. Plus, it’s got gas appliances which while bad for the environment, is still my favourite way to cook.

It’s not cheap, but nothing in Vancouver is. Check it out here. 

House of The Week is a home selected by the Lookout team and is not a paid advertisement. All ads are labeled as such. If you’re a realtor who wishes to feature your home in our newsletter, please contact our sales team. 

THE AGENDA

🖊️ The city has released their Imagine West End Waterfront, a 30-year plan for the city’s coastal parks and beaches. I am hoping to do an Insider edition on the plan later this week, so stay tuned!

🏢 A condo project at Little Mountain, owned by one of Malaysia’s wealthiest families, cannot go ahead because the developer says conditions around affordable social housing bylaws are preventing them from receiving financing. [Vancouver Sun]

💸 It pays to be a friend? Businessman Peter Brown, who donated $10,000 along with another $10,000 from his company to Mayor Ken Sim’s election campaign, was given his own day by the city. Oct. 18 will now be known as Peter Brown Day for his contributions to the city. [PressProgress]

🚙 A driver killed a pedestrian and injured another who was sent to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash. Police are investigating. [VPD]

❌ Marine Drive in South Vancouver and Lions Gate Bridge both made the list for the worst merging areas in the city. [Urbanized] 

🐕 It’s kind of crazy that North Vancouver previously banned dogs on the Seawalk and other public walking places. But North Vancouver council just voted to end most of those rules, though it will still require a final vote. Approximately 35 percent of people in North Vancouver own dogs. [North Shore News]

🏒 Hey now, that’s not bad! The Canucks are now ranked 8th in the ESPN Power Rankings, the highest of any Canadian team. [ESPN]

GOOD NEWS

Here’s some good news to start off your Wednesday:

A Vancouver woman has invented a new technology that helps find people underwater, such as swimmers in distress, faster, reducing search times by 87 percent. And unlike many breathless claims about artificial intelligence changing the world, this tool actually does it. It can scan an underwater area the size of a football field in under two minutes, which could save lives. [CTV]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• There’s a new podcast out about urbanism in Vancouver that I’ll definitely be checking out!

• Better poductivity in 30 seconds! Get success stories and tips that boost efficiency with ProductivityGlide's 30-second email. Subscribe here.

• If you’re craving Taiwanese beef noodle soup, then this is the spot to check out. [Vancity Lookout]

• This might be the scariest haunted house in Vancouver, and it’s focused on the terrifying housing market. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• I personally despise Candy Corn, but CBC decided to ask Vancouverites whether they enjoyed the Halloween treat. [CBC]

• This housing development’s branding is a little too on-the-nose… [Reddit]

• Does Vancouver have many rats? According to a study of Canadian cities, Vancouver ranks second.  [CityNews]

• La Catrina Tacos is shutting down after seven years. [Vancouver is Awesome]

*Sponsored ad

GAME TIME

Congrats to Venus and Matthew who both guess the answer to the number of pedestrians who were struck last year. The correct answer was 1,971.

Today’s Vancouver Guesser is another popular intersection. Can you name the spot? It happens to be one of my favourite areas for food. Reply with your name and answer to be included in the newsletter.