This little group met at a rezoning hearing in June, after having seen hearing after hearing in which residents, frequently existing homeowners, showed up to oppose new housing. We decided to get organized together because we wanted to do something about it.  

And what better place to start than the 5-year-running-controversy that is the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan? The ever-controversial plan goes to City Council next Wednesday, July 27, starting at 9:30am. If you'd like to come and speak in support of more housing in this amazing neighbourhood, this is your chance.

Public input into this plan will also inform future community plans, including in wealthier neighbourhoods with a lot more snob-zoning than in Grandview-Woodland.

You can register to speak to Council next Wednesday by emailing the Meeting Coordinator: [email protected].

If you can't make it next Wednesday, you can also write in to give your thoughts on the plan at [email protected].

The plan is available on the City website. A good summary is available here. Under the plan, the population of the area is forecast to grow by about 10,000 people, to 43,500, by 2041.

The plan calls for about 300 new people in the neighbourhood, each year, over the next 30 years, with most of these in large buildings around Commercial and Broadway, and along Hastings Street.Very few new units will be created on the majority of land, or near current single-family or duplex homes. 

What we'd love to have seen in this plan is more of the "missing middle" of modest rowhomes, small apartments, and secondary units (i.e., more and bigger laneway houses). With land prices escalating and renters being priced out, these additional houses in lower-density areas would make space for immigrants and newcomers, and also for displaced or evicted renters and long-time residents who need somewhere else in the neighbourhood to live.

Grandview-Woodland has long been a bastion of affordable, central, housing in Vancouver. With many co-ops, a thriving arts-scene, good restaurants, and (historically) affordable rents in both modest apartment buildings and beautiful heritage homes, we all want to see the Drive keep its spirit. So come join us at Council to talk about how best to make space for more people and new neighbours in Grandview-Woodland.