Council votes against densifying Shaughnessy

Good morning,

What is going on with the Canucks? Seriously.

Three of the players are tied for the scoring lead at 26 points apiece. And the Canucks currently lead the league in points, goals, assists and plus-minus.

Could… This be the year? Or have I jinxed it, and the team will continue their historical run of disappointment? I’d be lying if I said it felt different this time.

You know what’s also a little disappointing? Some housing news from city council. But what isn’t disappointing is this week’s event list.

Let’s get to it!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout editor

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WEATHER

Friday: 12 🌡️ 5 | 🌤️

Saturday: 12 🌡️ 6 | 🌧️

Sunday: 8 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Monday: 9 🌡️ 5 | 🌤️

CITY HALL

Council maintains limited density in Shaughnessy

It was a mixed council meeting for those who support building more housing in Vancouver. Let’s break it down.

What happened: Council debated multiple motions to increase housing in Vancouver. One called on increasing density in Shaughnessy, another would expand missing middle housing on city-owned land and a third was to increase density around schools, according to CityNews.

What passed: The mayor’s motion to expand missing housing on city-owned land and increase density around schools both passed unanimously. Both were introduced by ABC, and both also happened to be the least controversial of the three housing-related motions.

The controversy: On the other hand, the motion by Coun. Christine Boyle to expand density in Shaughnessy, with diverse housing like secured purpose-built rentals, non-profits, co-ops and more, failed with all ABC councillors voting against it, according to Urbanized. 

Background: Shaugnessy is one of Vancouver’s most exclusive and expensive neighbourhoods, with the highest median incomes in Vancouver, according to CBC. The homes are large and are some of the most expensive in the city.

• An important point about Shaugnessy is that it’s currently exempt from allowing multiplex homes because of its heritage designation. In a twist of irony, former mayoral candidate Mark Marissen noted that many homes formerly served that exact purpose to help with density.

Those opposed: ABC councillors provided numerous reasons why they opposed it. Coun. Rebecca Bligh said it would’ve “wasted precious staff time” and that the Vancouver and Broadway Plans should take priority over specific neighbourhoods, according to CBC. Coun. Brian Montague called it “nonsensical” and not “practical,” while Coun. Mike Klassen took issue with the language of the motion that referenced “billionaires.” Bligh also noted that it would divide the city, according to Urbanized. 

Shaughnessy Property Owners’ Association member Bob Angus pointed out some people want big lots, and that’s why they choose to live there. He also told the Vancouver Sun:

• “The objective is to somehow or another make Shaughnessy have the same population as the average in Vancouver… Like, who cares? Why? Why do you want to displace 8,000 people in order to meet this kind of artificial number.”

Those in favour: As noted by Boyle, when one part of Vancouver refuses to build more density, it puts more pressure on the rest of Vancouver to make up for it. Coun. Adrienne Carr said the motion wouldn’t have impacted the heritage designation of Shaugnessy, according to Ubranized. The population of the area has also decreased over the years while the rest of Vancouver has increased. 

Zoom out: This continues a long history of councils protecting the most expensive properties in Vancouver, as pointed out by Urbanized editor Kenneth Chan. 

What it means: The argument of “staff resources” is hardly an argument that will carry much weight as people weigh the actions of ABC. Given recent polling that showed ABC is struggling on the housing file, this decision will likely only exacerbate those feelings. 

• Putting aside any policy considerations, the move by Boyle to table this motion at the same time as ABC’s other housing motions will likely mean very few people hear about the others’ policies as this one takes up headline space.

In other news: Council also passed a motion unanimously to end parking minimums — the mandatory number of parking spots that must be built with a new development — in the West End and in the Broadway Plan area, according to Global. This will make it more affordable to build housing in these areas, as parking adds huge expenses to developments.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🧑‍🎨 $20,000: The cost of a bronze sculpture that was stolen from Gallery George. [Global News]

⛽ $1.80: Gas prices rose to this much over the long weekend in the Lower Mainland. [CityNews]

📈 35 percent: How much the annual rate of housing starts grew in October. Multi-unit starts also grew by 40 percent. [Business in Vancouver]

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THE AGENDA

💰️ If you think rental problems are only for lower and middle-income people, you’d be wrong. According to a new survey, those with $100,000 incomes are also being evicted. [Vancouver Sun]

👮 New details are emerging about the arrest of sex offender Randall Hopley who fled his halfway home. He was arrested last week while outside a police station in the morning before it opened. The police did not say if he was there to turn himself in. [CBC]

⛺️ Police allege that two by-law officers were injured as part of a clean-up effort at CRAB Park, resulting in two people being arrested. Both were from the encampment in the area. Lately, there’s been increased enforcement of the no camping bylaw around the encampment. [CityNews]

🪧 Over 100 police officers were deployed to disperse protesters who surrounded a restaurant where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was dining. The group was calling on Trudeau to support a cease-fire in Gaza. Two people were arrested. [CTV]

🗳️ Double dipping is not okay at parties, and it’s especially not okay when it comes to political donations. Elections B.C., done with their election audits, is now looking more into whether some people donated more than once, which isn’t allowed under municipal election rules. Elected officials and groups that have been asked to provide more details include former mayor Kennedy Stewart, his party, Mayor Ken Sim himself, the ABC party, Coun. Lisa Dominato, Sarah Kirby-Yung and Vancouver School Board trustee Christopher Richardson. [Vancouver Sun]

🏘️ In another big housing move, the province announced that development will soon be done faster with the creation of standardized, pre-approved home designs. This will reduce the time of permitting processes, and lower developer costs with standardized designs that are customizable for multi-unit housing. [BC Government]

🏒 Bo Horvat got teary-eyed during his return to Vancouver this week as his New York Islanders team faced off against the Canucks. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for the Canucks, the Islanders lost 3- in overtime. [Sportsnet]

FOOD

Guide: A perfect night out in Chinatown

A series I’ve wanted to write for a while is about how to have a perfect night out in Vancouver. 

When I lived in Chinatown, one of my favourite things was to take visiting friends on a tour of the neighbourhood in the evening, stopping at different spots depending on the mood. It’s my favourite food neighbourhood in Vancouver, and for good reason. My theory is affordable rents meant the best restaurants and drinking spots all setup shop in town. 

What follows is a guided tour of Chinatown, based on how you want to spend an evening. For example, say you’ve got a date you want to impress, or just want a cheap night of drinking. My hope is I can cover every scenario you might need to have your best night out on the town.

Read the entire guide here.

In other food news

🍩 (Members-only) How this donut shop is serving up some of the best donuts in Vancouver. [Vancity Lookout]

🍸 Bar Haifa, an Israeli and Palestinian restaurant and bar, is opening up later in November at 400 West Georgia. It’s from the team behind Haifa Room, a popular spot in Toronto. [Scout Magazine]

🍗 (Members-only) I have stumbled upon what I so far, believe, are the most unique chicken wings in the city. [Vancity Lookout]

🇰🇷 A CBC food columnist explains why Korean food is so popular, and sits down with Vancouver chef Jiwon Seo to talk about the country’s different dishes. If you’re looking for great Korean, I recommend Zoomak in Gastown. [CBC]Read the story

🍩 The original Cartems donut shop location is closing on Nov. 26. The building is being demolished to build a new development. [Vancouver is Awesome] 

🍷 Bar Sus has launched Susu Sundays, where they feature different types of food and drink. If you’re a foodie, these are a must. [Scout]

🍝 If you’ve ever wanted to try the world’s rarest pasta, su filinde, now is the time as it’s on the menu at La Tana. [Scout]

🐟️ Seafood lovers should check out Bar Bravo, with a food program focused on coastal menu items. [Vancouver is Awesome]

🍽️ Maenam has a new menu this November, with 11 different family-style dishes, with an $88 Chef’s Menu. [Scout]

WEEKEND GUIDE

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival | Rio Theatre | Until Nov. 19 | Come see 25 of the best mountain films this year | Tickets $23

Eastside Culture Crawl | All throughout East Vancouver | Until Nov. 19, various times | One of the best art events of the year, come check out the studios of artists throughout East Vancouver | Free

Vancouver Christmas Market | Jack Poole Plaza | Now until Dec. 24 | One of the best Christmas festivals in the city, come celebrate the Christmas spirit with food, drinks and other vendors | Starting at $15.99

Indiefest re:Naissance Opera | Around town | Now until Nov. 26 | New opera, virtual reality it’s all about imaginative forms of storytelling from diverse artists | Tickets $15-$35

Chutzpah Festival | Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre | Now until Nov. 23 | Come see dance, music, theatre and comedy through the lens of Jewish experiences and stories | Tickets $40

European Union Film Festival 2023 | Cinematheque | Now until Nov. 30 | Contemporary European cinema from 27 EU members | Tickets $12

Got Craft Holiday Market | 3250 Commercial Drive | Nov. 18-19 | 95+ small businesses showing off their wares | Free

Van Dusen Festival of Lights | Van Dusen Botanical Garden | Nov. 24-Jan. 7 | 15 acres adorned with lights, along with food vendors | Tickets $24

Whisky x Cheese Pairing Class II | Taste of Legacy, 1633 Manitoba St. | Nov. 26, 12 pm | Immerse yourself in whiskey and cheese pairings, with six locally crafted whisky experts | Tickets $65

Bad Weather | Lili & Vince, 3175 W Broadway | Dec. 2, 6:30 pm | Come by this second-hand vintage and antique store to see a local Vancouver band | Tickets $33

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The popular Storm Crow Alehouse may be making a comeback in Gastown. [Georgia Straight]

• Sounds like Ryan Reynolds could be moving back to BC… [Vancouver Sun]

• Burrard Inlet could’ve had its own canal, if this plan in 1912 had gone through. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

GAME TIME

Congrats to Guerric, Noel, Kevin C., Dan, Marco E., Marina, James Francis Garcia who all guessed the correct location of the intersection, at Commercial and Hastings.

Today’s Wordle is easy for those who read the newsletter. Can you guess it? Play now.

Did you know you’re missing out?

Every week I publish a members-only newsletter that explains what’s going on at city hall, and provides in-depth reviews of restaurants.

Members this month got a review of a hidden gem food court, a guide to an evening out in Chinatown, a breakdown of who is paying for new development costs and power rankings of who’s up and down at city hall.

You can have all this for less than a price of coffee and support critical local news in Vancouver. Become a member today to unlock all these stories.