Multiplexes approved, but will they help with the housing crisis?

Good morning,

When it rains, it pours. And no, I’m talking about Vancouver’s weather.

We’ve got multiple housing announcements that signal a real shift in how governments are dealing with the crisis, some some updates to the Michelin Guide.

Also, I wanted to thank over 400 of you who responded to our poll about local convenience stores. I’ve never seen such a level of support over a city issue like this. I hope to do more with surveys in the future. Who knows, maybe one day we can submit your comments on our polls to city hall?

Without further ado, let’s get to it.

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer

HOUSING

The federal government gets tough on housing

What happened: The Liberals announced a range of policies to deal with the housing crisis, including removing the GST from the construction of new rental apartments to spur development according to CBC, a policy called for by many stakeholders across the political spectrum.

Cracking down: The other major policy would prevent municipalities from accessing the housing accelerator funding, $4 billion worth of money, unless they repeal or amend exclusionary zoning policies, according to CTV. Think of it as a carrot and stick approach.

• Over in Calgary, the federal government told the city they would not get federal housing money through the accelerator without building more apartments near public transit, ending exclusionary zoning through upzoning, and streamlining building permit approvals.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has come out in favour of the GST policy in a tweet last night.

What they’re saying: The Conservatives attacked the Liberals for promising the policy back in 2015 and not following through, while the NDP said they proposed it six months ago.

• According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the country needs 3.5 million new homes by 2030, reported CityNews.

Could all this work?: The answer is likely yes, at least in terms of the federal government getting what they want, because municipalities need the money as they cannot run deficits.

• What’s next: The Liberals have indicated more will happen on the housing file in the future.

The Conservatives also released their housing plan. Economist and housing advocate Mike Moffatt, who has been credited with championing many of the policies the Liberals have adopted, was critical of the Tory plan.

For his part, Mayor Sim says he supports and believes in the Conservative plan.

• As one former city hall political staffer pointed out, Sim tweeted the Conservative plan before he tweeted about the Liberal plan 30 minutes later.

What it means: Housing has quickly become the biggest issue facing the country as the impacts of high housing prices reverberate across the economy. Whoever owns this issue may be the one who has success at the polls. But can the Liberals overcome the concerns they did nothing to combat rising prices?

• Here in Vancouver, we should expect a similar approach by the federal government, with housing funds coming with strings attached.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

📉 0.8%: The drop in rental prices for a one-bedroom unit in Vancouver. It’s below $3,000, but at $2,988, it’s still expensive! [CityNews]

💉 20: The number of years Insite has been open in the Downtown Eastside. It was the first legalized injection site in North America when it opened. [CBC]

CITY HALL

Missing Middle approved

In what can only be described as a Schrodinger’s Cat-like policy, a motion on Vancouver’s missing midding housing strategy was approved by council, which, depending on who you believe, will either radically change Vancouver’s housing market or have little to no impact.

What happened: After hearing from the public, council proceeded to vote unanimously yesterday to allow up to eight multiplexes on single-family zoned land, according to Global. It also simplifies different types of zoning into one zoning type, reduces the size that single-family homes can be built, and increases the size of laneway homes.

• According to Urbanized, the policy allows 37.7 ft in height with a maximum of three storeys. Single-family home sizes will be reduced by 14 percent.

Yes, but: As noted by Coun. Peter Meiszner, staff have indicated only a few hundred applications every year. Over in Victoria, the type of rules allowing this type of upzoning has resulted in a grand total of zero redevelopments. Economist Alex Hemmingway pointed out that this policy will not allow enough floor space to build rental housing.

• If you love punishment (joking!) you can read a live-tweet thread of questions brought up at the public hearing.

One group raised alarm about the policy, according to CityNews. The Vancouver Heritage Foundation says the policy could result in a loss of heritage homes as they’re demolished to build more multiplexes.

A vibe shift?: Mayor Ken Sim talked about changing the vibes in Vancouver. While he meant making Vancouver more fun, economist Alex Hemmingway noted that what this policy may in fact shift the consensus around reducing exclusionary zoning, or what I’m choosing to call housing vibes.

What it means: Things are moving fast. We are starting to see a real dynamic of change when it comes to zoning policies that have existed for decades. All levels of government are starting to deal with the problem.

• Looking ahead: According to Global, Coun. Meiszner noted we should expect more zoning changes in the coming months.

THE AGENDA

👮 The man charged with stabbing three people in Chinatown was deemed a “significant threat” by the BC Review Board and required “intensive supervision.” Critics are turning their attention to the board for allowing him out on a day pass from a forensic psychiatric facility. While David Eby has launched an investigation into how it happened. [CityNews]

🧒 After months of pressure, B.C. is banning all illicit drugs —which were recently decriminalized — near family-oriented spaces like pools and playgrounds. People cannot possess drugs within 15 metres from those places. This new policy goes into effect Monday. [CTV]

✍️ A robot didn’t write this newsletter (and it never will) but many Metro Vancouver teachers are dealing with students using ChaptGPT to do their work. It’s forcing teachers to rethink how they approach school work. [CBC]

⚽ If you don’t recognize the name Sergio Cordova, you aren’t the only one. The striker joined the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2022 but made little impact, and is likely to be transferred to another team. [The Province]

CITY HALL

Fees approved, businesses mad?

What happened: Good news for property owners, your tax bill is likely to stay the same next year. Bad news for everyone else, city fees are likely going up, according to Global. A proposal approved by city council will see fees increase for a number of city services.

The details: The fee increases will cover $15.2 million in needed revenue for next year, to prevent another property tax increase. Fees include raising the short-term rental license fee by 800 percent to $1,000, other licences like small businesses and animals, ride-sharing operator fees and parking, according to CityNews.

Small businesses spoke out at the meeting, arguing they were increasingly feeling the brunt of cost increases, according to Urbanized.

• Looking ahead: These fees were approved but were sent back to staff to develop the 2024 Draft Budget.

Thought-bubble: It’s an interesting trend for the centre-right ABC-majority council as they veer away from helping what many would think would be a natural constituency, small businesses. Back in April council voted down a proposal to reduce commercial and residential taxes by two percent, according to CBC.

In other news

Enforcement?: According to Twitter, Coun. Lenny Zhou, who introduced the motion to raise short-term rental licence fees, says the money will be used to “improve enforcement, invest in technology & promote public education.” It was supported by all councillors present. Expect more legislation from the province soon. [Twitter]

EVENTS

Vancouver Latin America Film Festival | Cineworks, Cinematheque and other spots | Now to Sept. 17 | Explore Latin culture through film with multiple showings of award-winning moves | Various prices

Vancouver Fringe Festival | All over town | Now until Sept. 17 | Come see dramas. comedy, danger and more at one of the largest performing festivals in Canada | Various prices

Used Books Sale at VPL Central Branch, Books, CDs and DVDs priced from $1 to $3. Proceeds donated to VPL programs. Sept 14 to 16 - 10am to 5pm *

Great Outdoors Comedy Festival | Stanley Park | Today and tomorrow | Come see comedy legends like Russell Peters, Kevin Hart and more outside | Tickets $79

Vancouver Climate Strike 2023 | Vancouver City Hall | Friday, 1 pm-4 pm | Join young people, students, parents and more who are participating in worldwide strikes to demand climate action | Free

Indoor Plant and Farmer’s Market | 868 Hastings St. E | This Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm | Local vendors selling plants, flowers and food | Free

Car Free Day on Main | 10th Avenue to King Edward Avenue | This Saturday | Some see all your favourite shops along Main without any cars! | Free

UBC Farm Fall Fair | UBC Farm, 3461 Ross Drive | Saturday, 10 am-2 pm | Live music, pie contest, kids activities and over 40 local vendors | Free

Steveston Beer Fest | 12138 Fourth Ave. Richmond | Saturday Sept. 23, 7 pm-9:30 pm | Tickets $78

The 3rd annual White Rock Craft Beer Festival, presented by Leah Chandler Real Estate, returns to Memorial Park on September 23 2023!*

Vancouver Etsy Co - Fall Pop-Up Market | Robson Square Ice Rink | Saturday Sept. 23, 10 am-5 pm | Featuring 90 local designers and creatives, plus it’s pet-friendly | Free

FOOD

Michelin returns!

What happened: It’s like the day before Christmas for foodies as the Michelin Guide released new picks for its top restaurants in the city.

Background: Michelin has two types of picks — stars, which are for the best of the best, and Bib Gourmand, which are for more affordable options. These are the later, with the star selections coming in October.

The list: It was a pleasure to read about these places, as I have not been to any of them. Here’s who the restaurants they selected:

• Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar: A beautiful place with a fine selection of seafood

• Elisa: A “stunning” steakhouse, profiled by the butcher shop next door

• Moltaqa: A hip and buzzy Moroccan restaurant

• Seaport City Seafood: Elegance and upscale Chinese

• Tetsu Sushi Bar: Omakase without the the pretentiousness

• Wildlight Kitchen + Bar: North American focused on items from the sea

Breaking it down: Seafood was prominent in the list, which makes sense given Vancouver’s location. Sushi continues to be popular. And you don’t need to visit the Keg, as they’ve selected a steakhouse.

Where I’m going first: Vancouver sometimes struggles with food outside of Europe and Asia. So the inclusion of Moltaqa is a welcome addition, one I’d put at the top of my list to visit.

Looking ahead: Take my recommendation with a grain of salt. But a place like Zarak by Afghan Kitchen is one such place that’s deserving of a spot. I ate there last year and it was a memorable meal that truly offers something unique in the city. Suyo, offering Peruvian food, is another.

In other news

Enroute to food: Air Canada’s enRoute magazine’s always popular Canada’s Best New Restaurants is back. Suyo and Folke were selected in Vancouver, while Acre Through the Seasons was chosen in Richmond. Here’s the full list of local picks over at Vancouver is Awesome. (You can read enRoute’s full national list here.)

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Well isn’t this just the cutest image of a cat. [Reddit]

• Did you know? Canada’s longest pool is the Kitsilano Pool! [Reddit]

• Hullo Ferries is expanding its service from Nanaimo. [Daily Hive]

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GAME TIME

Congrats to Joanna Wilson-Rhodes, Judy and everyone else who correctly guessed this week’s Vancouver Guesser. The answer was Jericho Beach.

Think you’ve got what it takes to play Vancouver Wordle? Check it out and play now.