Potential building policy on Broadway corridor criticized by provincial housing minister

Good morning,

Think Vancouver is boring? Well, here’s your chance to make it better. A survey has been launched to improve the city’s nightlife. It also asks about the fabled night mayor. It’s like the day mayor, but they like to have fun and know Vancouver, probably won’t have any real powers…

Also can’t believe that in two months we hit 5,000 subscribers. Thanks to all of you who read and share the newsletter, it really means a lot.

Onwards.

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity newsletter writer

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WEATHER

Friday: 7 🌡️ 3 | 🌧

Saturday: 8 🌡️ 2 | 🌧

Sunday: 9 🌡️ 2 | 🌧

Monday: 12 🌡️ 3 | ⛅

VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS

🧑‍💼 6,700: The number of new jobs in February, up 0.2 percent from January. It’s up 1.3 percent from last year, though the unemployment rate did increase slightly to 5.1 percent. [Business in Vancouver]

🏥 937,000: How many surgeries were not done during the pandemic across the country. In B.C., the number was 78,000. [CTV]

🏬 11.9%: The percentage of storefront vacancies in Vancouver. This is a drop year-over-year of 0.2 percent. The highest vacancy rates are in Hastings Crossing, Dunbar Village BIA and Point Grey Village BIA. [Urbanized]

DEVELOPMENT

Speed it up Vancouver

What happened: The province has weighed in on Vancouver council’s upcoming decision on the pace of change of redevelopment on the Broadway corridor, calling on the city to build more and build fast, according to Global.

Background: The Broadway plan to integrate new housing and amenities in 500 city blocks around the new Broadway subway expansion. The pace of change refers to a limit for the number of new redevelopments — tearing down and rebuilding existing buildings — in the area. Staff presented four different proposals to council, with varying intensity of builds, according to the Vancouver Sun.

• Developers are keen to build in the area, with 6,000 new rental units already being proposed. The city received 91 development rezoning applications in 2022.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon had this to say on Wednesday about the upcoming decision: “We are in a housing crisis and we are at the state now where we need to get on with it — so the discussion they’re having around the pace, I think the pace needs to be at the pace of the challenge we have, which is fast, and if there is a developer or a not-for-profit that is ready to go, they should be able to start work.”

The challenge: Each time a new place is redeveloped, existing tenants need to find different places to live. The fastest pace of change option could see up to 2,000 households per year displaced.

Yes, but: While those people would be displaced, Vancouver has strong rental protections. According to Global, “displaced renters have the right of first refusal for replacement units at their current rent or a 20 per cent discount on citywide average market rents and are eligible for a temporary rent top-up to cover the difference between their old rent and new rent while displaced.”

• Adding more complications, the units that would likely be replaced are some of the most affordable in the city.

Zoom out: Green Coun. Peter Fry said he expects ABC to go with the fastest build option, according to the Vancouver Sun.

• Dig deeper: See how the details of the rezoning policy would work.

In other news: The Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association is asking for more support for local businesses in the area to offset disruptions from construction, according to Global News. The organization counted 16 new for-lease signs on businesses along the construction corridor, for a total of 56.

THE AGENDA

⛺ An East Vancouver resident is raising questions about how police respond to issues in different neighbourhoods. They’re wondering why the homeless encampment in Kitsilano was cleared in days while those encampments in East Vancouver continue. [Global]

🚎 Fraser Valley bus union workers continue to strike. They’re calling for higher wages and a pension. They’re currently paid 32 percent less than transit workers in neighbouring cities. No talks are scheduled at this time, so the strike is set to continue. [CityNews]

👷 The Vancouver port workers union is raising concerns about the potential for job losses at Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s new Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project that would expand the use of automation. The port disagrees, saying it would create hundreds of full-time jobs. [Globe and Mail]

👵 A new 240-bed long-term care home will be built at the former location of St. Vincent’s Hospital. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2025 and be completed by 2028. [CityNews]

⚖️ A Vancouver lawyer was fined $12,000 for misconduct with 30 different clients over five years. They took place between 2012 and 2015. It was related to not doing due diligence on permanent residency documents that were sent to him. [CTV]

🚗 Slow down! Reduced speed limits are coming to road sections that are near elementary schools. It’s part of the city’s Vision Zero plan to reduce pedestrian fatalities. [CTV]Realtor.caRealtor.ca

QUOTE

“I go to work very early in the morning on some days during the week. Over the years downtown I’ve noticed there’s a whole team of unseen workers up early getting the city and us prepped for our everyday lives. Shout out to the bus drivers, SkyTrain employees, coffee shop employees, convenience store employees, security guards, sidewalk cleaners, sanitation workers, shelter workers, window washers, street cleaners, sign fixers, delivery drivers and whoever else I may have missed out there. Thank you! This city is weird as hell sometimes but it’s pretty incredible to think how many little things it takes to keep it functioning and how many people it takes to do said things. It’s a big messy community whether you like it or not!” An anonymous user on the Vancouver subreddit. [Reddit]

CITY HALL

Cones, defamation and bike lanes

No bears (spray) allowed?: City council will decide whether to regulate the display and sale of bear spray. The city’s report from staff recommends a ban on the sale of the spray to anyone under 19 and for businesses to keep it locked away. [Global]

Cones gone: City council plans to end many of the southern view cones, which ensure certain spots are visible, tied to Vancouver City Hall, as part of the Broadway Plan. It will make it easier to build taller buildings in the area. [Urbanized]

Defamed payout: Former mayor Kennedy Stewart can seek up to $100,000 in damages after he was sued by his rival party the NPA for denouncing “hate and extremism” within the organization. The case against Stewart was dismissed in 2022. [Globe and Mail.

Bye-bye bike lanes: City council staff will recommend to council next week to not build separated bike lanes along the Broadway corridor. Instead, staff are recommending the space be used for pedestrians and patios. Bike lanes could be added at a later date. [Urbanized]

Encampment focus: The new Parks Board is making it clear that preventing new encampments is a priority, with the expectation that established bylaws will be enforced. The number of calls to park rangers reporting sheltering in parks increased by 75 percent in January from a year ago, with 322 calls. Parks Board chair Jensen said it had nothing to do with the wealthier neighbourhood complaining. [Vancouver Sun]

FOOD

This week in restaurants, food and wine

Openings and closing

The Pleasant: Come by and see the new spot in Mount Pleasant, serving beer, wine and food influenced by Thai, Filipino and Japanese food. [Daily Hive]

Pajo’s: Sadly after 23 years, the local favourite in Garry Point Park in Steveston is closing next Friday. [Richmond News]

​​Med Grill & Bar: This new Mediterranean restaurant is opening up at 1157 Davie St. as is a sister restaurant to Mediterranean Grill Restaurant on Denman. [Daily Hive]

News you can use

Where to find some affordable places to eat? Well, look no further. Aleph Eatery, Do Chay and Fat Mao all make the list. [Vancouver Sun]

Speaking of Fat Mao, they now offer a selection of canned wines. Turns out, they’re better than you think! [Stir]

It’s almost Filipino Month and this list will have you covered for where to eat. Liberté Cafe & Restaurant, Pampanga’s Cuisine, Shameless Buns and many others from Vancouver make the list. [Daily Hive]

Hot Thai Kitchen founder, who has over 1.73 million YouTube followers has a new cookbook that simplifies making Thai food. [Stir]

Fancy some fried bread or bannock? Salmon n’ Bannock, Mr. Bannock and these other spots have you covered. [Vancouver Magazine]

List-making is an art and this is one I haven’t seen before. Elle Canada has a list of “easy-going” places to eat, including Delara, Di Beppe, Anh & Chi and Harvest Community Foods. [Elle Canada]

WEEKEND EVENTS

Spring Pop-Up Market | Heritage Hall 3102 Main Str. | Saturday-Sunday, 11 am-6 pm | Handmade fashion, accessories and items for sale, straight from designer | Tickets $6.

BOOM! Pro Wrestling | 2205 Commercial Dr. | March 25, 8 pm-11:30 pm | Get ready to scream, yell and have a great time at Vancouver’s top source for wrestling entertainment | Tickets $31.

Intro to Whiskies Class | Today | Learn, enjoy and ask questions about whiskey. Learn all about the basics of a balanced cocktail | Tickets $61.95.

Festival du Bois | Mackin Park, Maillardville Coquitlam | March 24-26 | Celebrate francophone culture with musical performances from francophone artists all across Canada | Tickets $28.

Salvador Dali's Surreal World | Chali-Rosso Art Gallery, 312-999 Canada Pl. | Saturday, 4 pm-5 pm | Learn all about surrealism with Salvador Dali’s art | Free but booking required.

West Coast Amusements Carnival | Coquitlam Centre | Now until Sunday | Fair events, rides, games and food. What else could you want at a carnival? | Free to enter.

Intro to Stained Glass | MakerLabs 780 East Cordova St. | Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm | Come learn about stained glass and make a glass sun catcher. All material is included | Ticket $162.74.

HELPING HAND

What happened: After dealing with an angry, verbally abusive customer who didn’t pay his bill, Vancouver sushi restaurant Hapa Izakaya was inundated with one-star reviews, according to Daily Hive. Most of the reviewers didn’t even live in Vancouver. People who were at the restaurant applauded the owner after he removed the guest.

How to help: If you have a moment, consider leaving these folks a nice comment, because negative reviews like this can really hurt a local restaurant.

VANCOUVER FAVOURITES

Where to find pastéis de nata?

I remember a fond day on my trip to Portugal. It involved a trek across Lisbon to find some delicious Portuguese egg tarts called pastéis de nata. Needless to say, I ate way too many and have loved them ever since. But like this Reddit user says, they are hard to find.

Luckily some members of the community have shared where you can find them in Metro Vancouver:

• Casa de Nata: Check out local farmers' markets for this tart stand. They look amazing.

• Nastas Canada: Made by Avelino Santos, you have to order them by phone or direct messaging them on Instagram and then pick them up.

• Fortuna Bakery: Located on Hastings in Burnaby, this Portuguese bakery and deli has everything you need

• Café Algarve: Located on 12th and Commercial, you can even buy some frozen ones to take home.

• T&T: Now, before anyone complains, no these aren’t the same, they’re what’s called Macau-style Chinese egg tarts.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Congrats to the winners of Stars of Vancouver 2023, places that were voted the best in a bunch of categories. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Beatbox championships are apparently a thing and two Vancouver beatboxers won first place. [CBC]

• Zellers is back but is it worth it? [Daily Hive]

• Lynx announced they’re offering a new flight this summer between Hamilton and Vancouver. Nothing better than cheaper flights! [CTV]

• If you see a frog, send a photo to the Frog Finders Program to help with mapping amphibian populations. [The Tyee]

• BC Place is launching a $5 menu for certain stadium events. Cheaper beer prices? Don’t count on it. [Daily Hive]

• On Wednesday, 354 Afghan refugees arrived in Canada through YVR. Welcome to Canada! [Twitter]

TOP PHOTO

Today’s photo is a photo, of a photo of a dog. Very meta. If you know who this dog is, please contact this Reddit user SirXenOfNos, she took a photo of this dog for a couple, but forgot to get their contact info.

GAME TIME

Today’s Vancouver Wordle is only four letters, but I’m not sure how fast you’ll guess it. Was that a hint? Maybe! Play now.