Say NO to Downtown Official Development Plan amendments

Why the proposed Downtown Official Development Plan must be defeated

The Community Association of New Yaletown strongly supports more social housing in our neighbourhood. However, we must oppose the proposed amendments for the following reasons:

• The new definition of “social housing” removes support for those most in need. Under the proposed changes, the new lowest category of rent will require an annual income of up to $36,500 for a studio apartment and $40,000 for a one-bedroom outside the DTES (Source: BC Housing 2015 Housing Income Limits).  This moves “social housing” out of reach for anyone working full-time at minimum wage ($22,000 per year).
   

  The proposed new Jubilee House demonstrates the City’s vision: the “low cost housing” units transferred from the old Jubilee House rent for an average of $436/month while the new “social housing” units rent for $1,142/month (source: City of Vancouver Administrative Report, February 6, 2014). These changes risk increasing homelessness and reducing affordability in Vancouver.

• The changes benefit developers, not people in need of affordable housing. The threshold for a building to gain huge density bonuses for “social housing” is unreasonably low. Only 30% of residential units are required to meet the too-expensive levels described above. The remaining units are not required to be affordable at all.

• The DODP and its proposed amendments are not “intelligible” or “simple and direct” as required by law. Instead, the documents use technical jargon, confusing wording and contain inconsistent and conflicting statements. The recent Supreme Court ruling requires the City to provide information in “a form that is understandable.” You can read the Downtown Official Development Plan and judge for yourself.

• The City provides insufficient detail for the public to understand the pros and cons of the proposed amendments. The City provided no models or drawings showing the potential impact of the proposed changes. The recent Supreme Court ruling requires the City to provide sufficient information to enable the public to “fairly evaluate the pros and cons” and to “scrupulously consider” public input.

• The proposed DODP increases the power of the (unelected) Development Permit Board, reduces City Council oversight, and reduces the public’s ability to provide input regarding their own neighbourhood. It allows the DPB to grant unlimited density without requiring rezoning.

• The proposed amendments to the DODP were drafted without any public input. Neighbourhoods and social housing residents were not consulted as part of the drafting process. The public deserves a voice in our own communities.

The Community Association of New Yaletown fully supports increased social housing that truly benefits the needy. However, the proposed amendments fail to achieve this objective, and bypass public input while allowing unrestricted developments.

Downtown Vancouver deserves a better, fairer, clearer Downtown Official Development Plan.

Say NO to the proposed Downtown Official Development Plan amendments. Your signature is needed by 5pm on March 26, 2015. Please sign the petition now: