 |
|
Government Relations Update #308
|
Mark Sakai, Director of Government Relations
Twitter: @Mark_HAVAN
With the FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) convention taking place this weekend in beautiful Quebec City (no, I'm not there), many councils have avoided scheduling meetings next Monday.
Friendly driving tip: If you're out on the road, and need to hit the 'windshield washer', have a quick check in your rear view mirror for a motorcycle first - riders don't appreciate being hit by a faceful of washer fluid while riding on a nice sunny day. Thanks.
|
|
METRO WEST
-
Vancouver's Regulation Redesign Group is holding an Open House on Wednesday 19 June from 8:30am - 12noon at Van Dusen Gardens. At this session, staff is looking for ideas on how to simplify floor area and building height regulations. If you regularly do business in the City, and have been frustrated by the regulatory regime for these topics, you really need to carve out some time in your schedule to attend this workshop! The City is serious about making effective modifications to their rules and process, and this is an ideal opportunity to provide them with some constructive feedback. Please
register at this link, as space is limited.
-
Here's
a story from The Sun on Peter German's presentation to
Vancouver Council last week.
-
-
Gotta love this letter to the editor to the Burnaby Now, opposing the proposed SFU Gondola. "Just because we
sound like NIMBYs, doesn't mean we're NIMBYs".
-
Richmond, through its community consultation portal (Let's Talk Richmond) is seeking input on potential
Residential Rental Tenure Zoning policies. The on-line survey is open until 16 June, and there is a Public Open House on Thursday 06 June, 4 - 8pm, at the City Hall Atrium.
-
At
Richmond's Planning Committee meeting of 04 June is the 2018 Update of the 2017 - 2027 Affordable Housing Strategy (pages 11 - 48 of
the agenda). As well, there is the staff report titled: "Building Our Social Future - A Social Development Strategy For Richmond (2013 - 2022): Progress Report For 2017 and 2018" (pages 49 - 99). While this may not seem like a GRU topic, it should be noted that under "Goal 1, Strategic Direction1 is "Expand Housing Choices". This is one area where we have been pressing Richmond to reconsider their 702 Lot Size Policy and allow more 'missing middle' infill in their single family neighbourhoods.
-
Here's a story about
New Westminster's doubling down on their well-intentioned, but
poorly-executed Rental Tenure Zoning.
NORTHEAST SECTOR
For Your Information
- At Maple Ridge's Council Workshop of 04 June, a staff report on the "Review of Policy and Zoning Options for Affordable Housing" is on the agenda (pages 7 - 20).
- Also from Maple Ridge, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Retirement Party for Frank Quinn, GM of Public Works and Development Services on Thursday evening.
For Your Information
- Surrey is hosting the Newton Town Centre Plan Public Open House on Tuesday 11 June, 5 - 8pm at the Newton Seniors Centre (13775 - 70 Ave). See the web page for full details and links to the Town Centre Plan web page (where there is also a button for the on-line survey).
- Councillor Steven Pettigrew has broken ranks with Mayor McCallum's Safe Surrey Coalition. (When was the last time you saw a handwritten letter declaring separation from a political party?)
- Langley Township is seeking the thoughts of the development/building industry on its upcoming EV Charging Requirements Bylaw. The workshop is on Thursday 06 June, 8 - 10am at the Langley Events Centre. Full details and registration link here. (And yes, breakfast will be provided!)
NORTH SHORE
For Your Information
- North Vancouver District Council has delivered a message, which has been received by members of the development industry, including non-profit players such as Catalyst, who have taken their proposal, rejected by the District, to North Vancouver City.
- More craziness from North Van District Council, as they deferred the revised Maplewood proposal to post-OCP Review. In doing so, Cllr. Muri referred to the applicant as "the enemy" - it's one thing for a Council member to support NIMBYs in the community, it's quite another thing when Councillors become full on NIMBYs themselves.
- Here's a story from the North Shore News on West Vancouver's approval of its Tree Bylaw.
- More NIMBYism in (surprise) West Vancouver.
|
REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL
For Your Information
- In case you missed it, here's CHBA BC's statement on the recent Anti-Money Laundering Reports and the Public Inquiry.
- One of the big holes in the battle against money laundering is the non-regulation of private lenders, according to this article from The Star.
- In this Vancouver Sun podcast, Attorney-General David Eby and UBC Professor Tsur Somerville discuss the ways that the Province is making real estate a more difficult target for money launderers.
- BC Liberal MLA Mary Polak has introduced a private members bill on Prompt Payment (Builders Lien), although I have not yet seen it appear on the official Progress of Legislative Bills website. CHBA BC has gone on the record as opposing this legislation, which has already been passed in Ontario. Here is their briefing on the topic.
- Central 1 Credit Union's economists issue their forecast for the resale market.
- CRA's efforts at cracking down on real estate tax evasion have resulted in over $1billion in recovered tax revenue.
|
|
|
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
For Your Information
- CityNews and News1130 held a Town Hall discussion: "Is Home Ownership Still a Good Bet in This Region?" First off, I'm a bit concerned that people are still referring to the largest single purchase that they will ever make as "a bet". Second, they had four panelists, but not a single one of them was a builder or developer.
- Imagine that - new condos cost more than older condos.
- Here's an op-ed on how we could be building more purpose-built rental projects in Metro Vancouver.
- Seattle looks to outlaw 'McMansions', while incentivizing small infill housing (they call them Accessory Dwelling units, or ADUs).
|
EVERYTHING ELSE
For Your Information
- Here's a piece from The Province, on 'starchitects' proposals for downtown Vancouver high rises.
- Here's a piece from the Literary Review of Canada on former Vancouver Chief Planner Larry Beasley's new book 'Vancouverism'.
- Here's an article from Canadian Architecture advocating for a National Architecture Policy.
- An article from npr.org looks at situations where cities make bold climate change promises, but circumstances can make it difficult to fulfill them.
- Another installment in The Star's series on the impacts of climate change in Canada -- this time looking at the Atmospheric Rivers (what we usually call the "Pineapple Express") and their affect on slope instability, avalanches and flooding.
- Oh, this is such a bad take -- if your luxury goods sales are down, blaming the crackdown on money laundering is NOT the way to enhance your image amongst the public.
- Here's a time-lapse video of the floor-by-floor demolition of the old Empire Landmark Hotel (though I'll always refer to it as the Sheraton Landmark, where I used to go see Skywalk play in the Jazz Bar).
- And from Vancouver is Awesome (via the Tri-City News), here's the critically important information that you're looking for in GRU: a comparison between McDonald's new Fish & Chips, and IKEA's version. For the record, I get my F&C from Pajo's in Steveston.
- This video clearly shows why hardhats are compulsory on construction sites.
|
|
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 [email protected]
Mark Sakai
Director of Government Relations
|
|
|
|
|
|
