Government Relations Update #323

HAVAN News
14 September 2019	GRU #323

Government Relations Update #323

Mark Sakai, Director of Government Relations and

Jay Chadha, Government Relations Research Associate

Twitter: @Mark_HAVAN

I think I'll just steer clear of the Vancouver Sun's op-ed page for the time being.

METRO WEST

For Your Information

On the agenda for Burnaby's City Council Meeting of 16 September is a presentation by the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness regarding 'Housing for Homeless and Citizens in Precarious Housing'. In addition, amendments to the Engineering Fees Bylaw and Planning and Building Fees Bylaw will receive first, second and third readings.
Burnaby councilors voted unanimously to declare a state of climate emergency and committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vancouver Councillor Jean Swanson in a nutshell: "Basically, if a developer is going to make a profit on any housing application, I'm going to vote against it". And, she's true to her word.
Vancouver City Council has passed the motion put forward by Cllr. Boyle, allowing city staff to consider placing modular housing in single family and multi-family residential zones. Additionally, a BC Housing report from 10 September shows that modular housing has been very successful in improving the quality of life for previously homeless tenants.
The City of Vancouver and Tourism Vancouver are hosting a noon-hour workshop (11:30-1:00) on Wednesday 30 October at Science World on 'Risk Management in Tourism Facilities: Thinking Proactively about Legionella". Recent outbreaks have brought this issue to the top of mind of many health agencies, so while there are not a lot of HAVAN members needing to deal with this, it's likely to be important information for apartment building managers.
The City of Vancouver wants to hear people's opinions on their options for the pedestrian/cycling improvements to the Granville Street Bridge.
The City of Vancouver is holding an Open House on Tuesday 17 September, 4 - 8pm at CityLab (511 W. Broadway) to report progress and gather feedback on the Making Room Housing Program. Check out the web page for full details and backround materials.
At Richmond's Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting of 18 September, a staff report providing recommendations to TransLink's Transport 2050 Plan is on the agenda (page 7).

NORTHEAST SECTOR

For Your Information

Some tense moments at Port Moody Council, as Rob Vagramov returns to the Mayor's chair, still facing a charge of sexual assault.
On the agenda for Maple Ridge's Council Workshop of 17 September is a staff report on 'Secondary Suite Regulatory Review: Accountability Mechanisms' (page 4 of the agenda).
Here is a link to Maple Ridge 's new online Inspection Booking System.
At Pitt Meadows' Regular Council Meeting of 17 September, the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw Amendment will receive third reading. Additionally, the Zoning Text Bylaw Amendment will receive first and second hearing.

SOUTH OF FRASER

For Your Information

Langley Township is seeking feedback on the Willoughby Arterial Road Completion Amenity Policy (WARCAP), at engagement events taking place on Saturday 28 September, Tuesday 01 October, and Thursday 03 October. See the web page for full details and background documents.
On the agenda for Surrey's Public Engagement Task Force committee meeting of 20 September is an update to the public engagement strategy. Additionally, at Surrey's Parks, Recreation & Culture Committee meeting of 18 September the 2020/2021 Fees & Charges Bylaw Amendment is up for discussion.
Here's Surrey's latest Step Code Alert (web version - you can subscribe to the email version by registering via the link at the bottom of the page). Be sure to check out the offer of a free mid-construction blower door test - if you're getting up to speed on air tightness, this is probably the single most valuable thing you can do.
The Surrey School District wants more money from developers, via increased School Site Acquisition Charges, to purchase more sites for schools in high growth areas. The Chair of the School Board thinks developers are "getting off scott free"? Perhaps we need to arrange a meeting and show him a pro forma listing all of the government imposed fees and charges in a typical development application?
Here's yet another story about the impacts of school overcrowding in Surrey.
It will be interesting to hear the Mayor of Surrey put a positive spin on the City's decision to ditch the LRT line upon the opportunities for community renewal and growth in Newton.
Here is Delta's submission to TransLink's Transport 2050 Plan, from the agenda of their Council meeting of 16 September.
On the agenda for Langley City's Regular Council Meeting of 16 September is the 2019 Neighbourhood Profiles Update report.

NORTH SHORE

For Your Information

A staff report on 'Standards and Regulations in Single Family Zones' is on the agenda of North Vancouver District's Council Workshop of 16 September (page 29).
At North Vancouver City's Regular Council meeting of 16 September, the Lonsdale Energy Corporation's 2019 Rate Review and Bylaw Amendment is on the agenda (page 79).
On the agenda for West Vancouver's Regular Council meeting of 16 September is the staff report on the Housing Needs Report: Recommended Next Steps.
Here's a good, comprehensive article on the transportation issues and solutions for the North Shore.

REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL

For Your Information

On the agenda for Metro Vancouver's Climate Action Committee meeting is the integrated public engagement process for the Metro Vancouver Clean Air Plan and Climate 2050 report.
At Metro Vancouver's Regional Parks Committee meeting, a report titled 'Regional Parks Land Acquisition and Development Funding' is on the agenda.
The fairness of the Provincial Government's School Tax on vacant properties awaiting development is the subject of this Vancouver Sun story by Dan Fumano.
Finance Minister Carole James discussed BC's Speculation Tax at a recent news conference, essentially stating that the tax is working well and just as intended.
Residential REITs in Canada are showing strong returns and performing above expectations despite uncertain market conditions.
Here is a list of the All-candidates forums that will take place in Surrey during this federal election
CREA has launched their Election 2019 Resource Hub with a focus on housing affordability.
In the good news/bad news department, the Federal Liberal Party has promised, if elected, to increase the limit on the First Time Home Buyers Incentive from $480k (virtually useless in Metro Vancouver) to $789k. But on the other hand, they also said that they would implement their own foreign buyers tax.
Will the Liberals' promise to increase the First Time Home Buyers Incentive encourage more millennials to get into the market?
Several Realtor associations across Canada are pushing for eased mortgage regulations.

RENOVATIONS

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

For Your Information

Providing underused land at no cost to non-profit housing developers is one approach Seattle is taking to address housing costs.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives thinks that low property taxes in Vancouver (relative to other Canadian urban centres) is helping fuel the affordability crisis. While the numbers tell a story, I'm not sure if the conclusion of the piece (that low property taxes encourage people to hold property because of 'low carrying costs', thus causing the housing crisis) really holds water.

EVERYTHING ELSE

For Your Information

BC Housing's next Building Smart webinar is on 'Sound Principles and Noise Control in Homes', on Tuesday 19 November, 9am - 12noon, either via webinar or in person at Brix Studio. Full info and registration here.
Here is an interesting article about the CIBT Education Group's transformation into 'mega real estate developers' and how they managed ROIs of over 300%.
Are you wondering what goes on in the heads of municipal planning staff? Are you mystified at the often convoluted approvals process? Then perhaps this SFU Continuing Studies course is for you: "Planning for Non-Planners - What You Need to Know About Community Planning". It's being offered on three consecutive Thursday evenings starting 14 November, and is being taught by Eric Aderneck. Check out the web page for full details and registration link.
Once again, the City of Vancouver and BCIT are teaming up to provide the Passive House Course at a 50% discount for tradespersons/builders/designers who work in the City. Check out the flyer for more info and registration link.
OK, it's office, not residential, but this is some serious "infill", Tokyo style.
According to this piece, SF houses are getting larger, while condo apartments are getting smaller - though interestingly, the trends are more pronounced in Ontario than in BC.

The content of GRU is determined primarily by HAVAN's geographic territory, which are the municipalities of Metro Vancouver (the regional district). Other considerations are provincial and federal issues, policies, announcements or opportunities to engage that would interest our members, housing-related articles and information from other jurisdictions and, of course, the odd tidbit or video clip that interest me.

Please feel free to distribute this email to others in your office, if you think that they would benefit from the information. If you are reading this as a forwarded message from a colleague, you can get your own version, delivered directly to your mailbox. Just let me know, and I will be more than happy to add you to my list. And don't forget, the most recent issue of GRU is always posted on the Government Relations Page of havan.ca.

As always, comments are welcome. If there is an issue or a website that you would like me to follow, please contact me at 778-373-9784, or via mark@havan.ca

Mark Sakai

Director of Government Relations

HAVAN, through its Director of Government Relations, works with metro Vancouver local governments on important public policy issues, including pending and existing regulations which impact the home building industry. Non-partisan policy analysis and strategic consultation is provided in a collaborative approach in order to efficiently deliver to market the required supply of homes to support Metro Vancouver's 21 municipalities. Working with HAVAN members and industry stakeholders, to build and maintain positive relations with municipal, regional and provincial governments, HAVAN is the respected voice of Metro Vancouver's residential construction industry.