Why Shaughnessy may soon see more redevelopment

Plus, the province is helping fund TransLink

Author

Geoff Sharpe
April 22, 2024

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Good morning,

Saturday was a big day for the Lookout. We shared an early preview of our first long-form deep-dive on a big issue facing Vancouver, specifically the future of False Creek.

It’s a story I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you, involving research and interviews you won’t find anywhere else. It dives deep into the history of False Creek, the changes to the co-op housing structure and the challenges facing the neighbourhood as the co-op leases expire. 

But I have a small favour to ask. In-depth stories like these cost money. In fact, this is the most expensive story we’ve ever commissioned. And as a small publication, we’re funded mostly by readers like you.

We’re hoping five new members will join this week, to fully cover the costs, before we release the story to everyone next week. That will pay for the entire story, and show that this type of deeper, long-form journalism is sustainable. If you want to support us, become an Insider member today to help fund this type of journalism.

Alright, enough with that, let’s get into today’s newsletter!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout editor

PS — If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

WEATHER

Monday: 16 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

Tuesday: 18 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 14 🌡️ 7 | 🌤️

HOUSING

Shaughnessy may soon see development throughout the area

What happened: Vancouver’s protected neighbourhood of First Shaughnessy, home to some of the most expensive properties in the city, could see increased density due to the province’s new housing policies.

Background: The province is requiring cities to draft new bylaws to comply with the new legislation, including allowing up to six units on single-family lots. Vancouver had done something similar by upzoning most residential neighbourhoods, but originally excluded First Shaughnessy from the changes, due to its heritage designation, according to the Vancouver Sun. 

The details: The actual interpretation of the province’s policies for municipalities are being determined by each city. The report clarifies what is impacted, including changing of the zoning of First Shaughnessy so that it matches the rest of the city. 

Some were worried that the Transit Oriented Development rules would override other heritage neighbourhoods like Chinatown. But the city’s report says the city can still restrict development in certain ways, like adding requirements like affordability. 

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon thanked the city last week for preparing to adopt the upzoning for First Shaughnessy.

  • Why the designation: The area was designated a heritage conservation area in 2015 due to the increasing demolitions of heritage charger houses, according to Urbanized. 

A shift: For those following this story closely, you’ll remember a motion introduced by Coun. Christine Boyle back in November 2023 to increase housing density in Shaughnessy was defeated by the ABC majority council, according to Global. That would’ve seen more commercial spaces in the area for residents, as well as more nonprofit housing. 

Yes, but: While some say this may be a win for equality in terms of what areas bear the brunt of housing development, the high-priced lots in Shaughnessy make it much less likely that land will be developed, according to Urbanized. 

Another key consideration will be how Vancouver interprets and sets the bylaws. There is still potential for these rules to restrict the province’s policy goals, and has been pointed out on Twitter, the province intended to set the rules as a floor rather than the ceiling. 

What’s next: Staff will present a detailed policy proposal in June to comply with the June 30 deadline. This report is just information for councillors to review. 

  • Dig deeper: You can read a summary of the province’s major housing policies here. 

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🛣️ 150: The backlog in applications to pave back alleys throughout the city. Only about four of them are paved each year. Property owners used to pay 70% and the city 30%, but a change by council means property owners would pay 100%, in an effort to reduce the backlog. [Vancouver is Awesome]

⛽ 41.5 cents: The price per litre increase in gas in Vancouver compared to the start of the year. [Urbanized]

⚡ 2,000: The number of people in Vancouver without power on Saturday due to equipment failure from downed trees. There were 10,000 people without power across the entire Metro Vancouver without power. [CityNews]

🏒 62%: The estimated number of hospitality businesses in BC that are not profitable. There is hope that the Canucks’ playoffs drive will increase hospitality visits. [Business in Vancouver]

45,517: The number of people who participated in the Vancouver Sun Run this weekend. [Vancouver Sun]

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TRANSIT

What happened: After a quiet federal budget where no new money was included for transit across the country, the provincial government announced $300 million last week for TransLink to help with its funding shortfall, according to CBC. 

Background: TransLink is dealing with a $4.7 billion financial hole by 2033 without new funding, which would result in service cuts throughout the region, according to Global. TransLink is already dealing with major overcrowding on key routes, with the percentage of overcrowding growing by as much as 70 percent this year compared to last year. 

The details: The money will help with bus purchases to expand service, with a key focus on reducing overcrowding throughout the region, according to the province’s news release. New bus rapid transit service will also increase throughout Metro Vancouver, along with increasing the frequency of services.

  • An FOI by CBC showed that overcrowding was the number one complaint in two months' worth of data, with the 99 UBC B-Line having the most complaints, according to CBC.

What it means: It certainly was timed conspicuously after the federal government’s lack of funding! But with the provincial election coming soon, the NDP clearly felt the overcrowding issue was something that needed to be addressed in a key battleground area. It doesn’t solve TransLink’s long-term issues, but it does help address a key short-term problem that people are experiencing on a daily basis. 

NEW JOBS

Discover your dream job in Vancouver:

THE AGENDA

👋 Don’t look now, but your friends may be considering leaving Vancouver. That’s according to a new poll that says 25% of residents in Metro Vancouver are likely to move within five years. The biggest reasons? In a completely unsurprising response, the cost of living and housing topped the list. [Vancouver Sun]

⛺️ There are increasing concerns that the approach of the park board towards the CRAB Park encampment may be violating the court ruling that did not grant them the power to evict those camping there. The park board has increasingly taken a tougher approach to the area, limiting those who can enter, amongst other things. [Vancouver Sun]

🌉 The Lions Gate Bridge was briefly shut down on Saturday morning for two and a half hours due to a police incident. No other details were provided. [CTV]

🚬 No fun city strikes again? The city fenced off Sunset Beach for the planned annual 4/20 celebration, and shut down nearby facilities because they say the event was non-sanctioned. The park board did not say whether the actions, very different from previous years, were designed to prevent the event from occurring. [Global News]

👷 BC labour unions want the seven new hybrid eclectic ferry vessels for BC Ferries to be built in BC, so that local workers and companies benefit. A BC Ferries spokesperson said their main goal is to build them affordably. [CBC]

⚽️ The Whitecaps benefited from two red cards levelled against the Seattle Sounders to win 2-0. Vancouver is now 5-1-2 for the season, and is first in the Western Conference, up one point on Real Salt Lake. [TSN]

EVENTS

Verses Festival of Words | Multiple locations | Now until April 27 | Canada’s largest literary festival of spoken poetry, storytelling, improvisers and more | Various prices

You Used to Call Me Marie | Clutch Theatre | Now until April 28 | A Metis love story of song and dance from the Callihoo women in Alberta | Tickets $25

Run Smart Workshop: Safe Distance Building | 126 15th St. East Suite 110, North Vancouver | April 23, 7:30 pm | Learn how to run properly to optimize your training | Tickets $10

The Tortured Poets Department - Taylor Swift Dance Party  | Levels Nightclub | April 26, 7 pm-10 pm | Come party with Taylor Swift music and fans | Tickets $15

Whisky & Words 2024 General Admission Tickets | 1218 Cartwright Street | April 26, 8 pm | A fundraiser to support the Vancouver Writers Fest’s youth education programs, with unlimited drinks from top whiskey producers | Tickets $130

Industrial Lands Walking Tour – Mt Pleasant | 2388 Cambie St. | April 27, 10:30 am | Learn all about the neighbourhood through industrial land, and the history of how it’s changed | Tickets $18

Spring Sober Social | Slice of Life Art Gallery | April 27, 7:30 pm | A fun, alcohol free social with live performances and local artists | Tickets $17

Lunch with Mauricio Lorca | Bodega on Main | April 27, 12 pm | An exclusive lunch with one of the top winemakers in the world, from Argentina | Tickets $145

Future is Female: Afternoon Tea | Fairmont Hotel Vancouver | April 28, 11 am | Sit down and learn from the most influential women leaders in different professional backgrounds | Tickets $28

FOOD PREVIEW

The magic of Taiwanese pork buns

If you’re ever gotten out at any of the Richmond SkyTrains and struggled to figure out where to eat, you aren’t the only one. 

We’re proud to be one of the few places reviewing different Chinese restaurants often ignored by bigger publications.

Tomorrow we’re sharing a review of Parker Place, another food court that doesn’t get much attention, but serves up some seriously incredible Chinese food. From mouth-watering pork baos, to heaping mounds of iced fruit dessert to fall-apart Taiwanese pork buns, this food court is a can’t-miss for Chinese food lovers.

QUIZ TIME

When was Shaughnessy designed a heritage conservation area?

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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ama Bar, a new cocktail bar at 3980 Fraser, is getting rave reviews for its Blade Runner 2049-esque design. Seriously, it looks gorgeous. [Wallpaper]

  • A pilot project featuring Silent Trails for forest bathing is coming to Metro Vancouver parks, though the locations are not yet decided. [Vancouver Sun]

  • Who’s going to make the NHL Stanley Cup finals? Ea Sports’ simulation says Vancouver versus Boston, which would be incredible since that was the last team the Canucks played in the finals. 

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

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