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Government Relations Update #261
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Mark Sakai, Director of Government Relations
Twitter: @Mark_GVHBA
Here's a 'Save the Date" for GVHBA Developers and Builders: our Development Committee is hosting a Town Hall/Summer Social on Wednesday afternoon 27 June, from 3 - 5pm at Joey Burnaby (Lougheed & Rosser). You must RSVP ( [email protected]) before 22 June, as space is limited! Come by and network, discuss important issues to the industry, and help us direct our advocacy efforts.
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METRO WEST
- The 19 June Vancouver Regular Council meeting has a jam-packed agenda, with many housing-related reports (I hear that it's being called "Super Housing Tuesday"). The first item ("Housing Vancouver Update") is actually four reports: the "Affordable Housing Delivery and Financial Strategy and Annual Progress Report and Housing Vancouver Data Book" (yes, that's all in one 229-page report ); the "Making Room Housing Program: Overview and Quick Start Actions" (here's The Star Vancouver's story on that one); the "Amendments to the Zoning and Development By-Law - Laneway Home Regulations"; and the "Development and Building Regulatory Review - Minor Amendments to the Zoning and Development By-Law, the Downtown ODP, and Various Land Use and Development Policies and Guidelines". Next up on the agenda is the report: "Northeast False Creek - Update Report and NEFC Infrastructure Project Implementation and Financial Strategy Guidelines". In the Policy Reports section, there is the "Miscellaneous Amendments - Zoning and Development By-Law, Various CD-1 By-Laws, and Noise Control, Parking and Sign By-Laws", and the "Amendments to the Zoning and Development By-Law and Building By-Law - Accessible Path of Travel Policy Review". Here's Frances Bula's take on some of the proposed housing policies.
- At Vancouver's 20 June meeting of the Policy and Strategic Priorities Committee, the staff report on the "Broadway Planning Program and Associated Interim Policies" is on the agenda.
- In this blog post from Price Tags, Sandy James freaks out over: a) View Corridors; and b) Borrowed Light Bedrooms.
- There are big increases on the horizon for the City of Vancouver's City-wide Utilities DCL. There was a well-attended stakeholders' consultation session held last week - the presentation slides can be seen here. The info sheet with preliminary rate structure can be seen here. If you have comments, please send them to Chris Clibbon at [email protected] by Wednesday 20 June, or if you want them sent anonymously, send them to me by Tuesday, and I will collate them and forward them to Chris by Wednesday.
- We received this letter from the City of Vancouver regarding its annual inflationary increase for DCLs, CAC Target, and Density Bonus Contribution rates.
- Vision Vancouver Councillor Raymond Louie announces that he will not be seeking re-election. His health, and that of his wife, appears to be a major factor in this decision, according to this article from The Courier. This leaves Heather Deal as the only incumbent Vision Vancouver Councillor still 'in the race' (at this point). Here's the latest media release from Research Co. discussing polling on the Mayoralty race.
- CMHC wants to turn the old Emily Carr University of Art and Design space on Granville Island into an Arts and Innovation Hub, and they're looking for ideas on how to fill the space. If you want to be part of the process, visit their web site.
- At Richmond's General Purposes Committee meeting of 18 June, the staff report recommending adoption of the Energy Step Code is on the agenda (pages 32 - 71).
- At Richmond's Public Hearing of 18 June, the OCP and Zoning Bylaw amendments to allow secondary suites in duplex zones is on the agenda (pages 218 - 245).
NORTHEAST SECTOR
For Your Information
- On the agenda of Coquitlam's Council-in-Committee meeting of 18 June is the 2017 Development Cost Charges Report.
- Here is a story from the Tri-City News on Coquitlam SSACs, a follow-up to the item from last week's GRU on School District 43's priority projects.
- A reminder that Coquitlam is seeking feedback on its proposed new policy regarding mechanical equipment in residential side yards. The report presents several options, and the City is seeking industry feedback. Please send comments directly to Doug Vance ([email protected]) , or to me ([email protected]) if you wish to remain anonymous.
- An update to an item in GRU#259: the Maple Ridge Council Workshop scheduled for 05 June did not have quorum, so the items from that agenda will be considered at the next meeting on 19 June. Here's the new agenda, with the items: 'Detached Garden Suites Pilot Project Look-Book Concepts (pages 15 - 67); the Rental Housing Program - Rental Options for New Development (pages 68 - 110); and the Regional Context Statement Update (pages 111 -143).
- Here is Port Coquitlam's web page outlining its proposed changes to its Tree Policies and Regulations. Unfortunately the Open House was last Thursday, but the on-line survey is active until the end of the month.
- Port Coquitlam has announced that their current Director of Engineering and Public Works, Kristen Dixon, has been appointed as the new CAO.
- At Pitt Meadows' Regular Council meeting of 19 June, the Development Cost Charge Bylaw Update is on the agenda for first, second and third reading.
- Belcarra Mayor Ralph Drew has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in the Fall.
SOUTH OF FRASER
- Recently, Surrey has stepped up its enforcement of basement counter length maximums, citing the potential conversion to illegal secondary suites. Here is the short presentation at the 24 May Development Advisory Committee from Gilbert Larocque, Deputy CBO on the subject.
NORTH SHORE
For Your Information
- At North Vancouver District's Council Workshop of 18 June, the 2011 - 2018 Development Update is on the agenda (pages 19 - 36).
- North Vancouver City's Director of Community Services, Emilie Adin has accepted the position of Director of Development Services for New Westminster.
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REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL
For Your Information
- TransLink's ridership numbers continue to increase, reaching an all-time high in May (with the exception of the 2010 Olympics).
- An article from Mobility Lab makes the case for mobility pricing being the fairest way to fix traffic congestion.
- Here's the CBC.ca story on the item from last week's GRU about Coquitlam Council wanting to see the Province determine the compensation rates for municipal councillors.
- In The Vancouver Sun, Vaughn Palmer talks to past-Premier Mike Harcourt, who says that the current government needs to focus on housing supply.
- In this Vancouver Sun op-ed, the Superintendent of Real Estate and the Chair of the Real Estate Council make their case for the new regulatory rules coming into effect on 15 June, but BCREA has concerns and BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver isn't convinced, and asks for a delay in their implementation.
- Here's BCREA Chief Economist Cameron Muir's report on May MLS sales , plus discussion on the impact of the mortgage stress test.
- Here is the calendar of upcoming courses from BCIT's High Performance Building Lab.
- Here's an article from TVO.org on Why Toronto Needs More Townhouses (and why aren't they building more of them?)
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HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
For Your Information
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EVERYTHING ELSE
- Are 'dead' golf courses the next NIMBY battleground? According to CityLab and recent experience in Surrey, the answer would appear to be 'yes'. (Keep an eye on the future of Langara Golf Course, methinks).
- If you've ever questioned the importance of fire doors, then have a look at this.
- What does it look like when two mag-lev trains pass each other at over 300km/hr? Basically, don't blink.
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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 gvhba.org.
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 [email protected]
Mark Sakai
Director of Government Relations
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