URGENT: Oppose Rezoning Bylaw
by September 11, 2023!
What's Happening?
On September 6th, 2023, the City of Vancouver published the agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting scheduled for September 12th, 2023. Hidden deep within this agenda (points 11 & 12 under bylaws) are the two items for a council vote to enact the rezoning bylaw for 7th/8th and Arbutus site, following last year's public hearing.
Here's why this is important:
Legal Implications: Although the Council previously voted "in principle" in favour of rezoning during the public hearing last year, the rezoning bylaw needs to be voted on and is not yet complete. Council has the legal right to vote against it.
Bill 26 Challenge: The City has argued that a Council vote is unnecessary due to Bill 26 legislation enacted by the Provincial Government in May 2023, which they claim overrides Vancouver Council's authority. However, the Kitsilano Coalition has challenged Bill 26's constitutionality in a separate legal case.
Unmet Conditions: Several "Conditions of Approval" from the 2023 Public Hearing, such as traffic mitigation plans and funding alternatives unit mixes and on site health services that remain unaddressed. See Page 23 of the above link for details. No documentation of the completion of these conditions is provided.
Development Permit: The City approved a development permit for this site on August 21st, 2023, before enacting the rezoning bylaw. This is a departure from the usual process (rezonings must be enacted before Dev Permits are considered). The vote to enact this now, after a DP has been done compromises the integrity of this vote.
New Council: The current Council, led by Ken Sim and 7 ABC Party Councillors, was not in office during the Public Hearing. They need to review the content from the Public Hearing before voting. We are concerned all the pertinent info will not be provided accurately to them.
Campaign Promises: Ken Sim and other ABC Council members stated during their October 2022 election campaigns they would not have voted for this site. They spoke to many community members saying if elected, they would oppose the 7th/8th and Arbutus rezoning and promised to work towards a change.
Take Action
To make your voice heard, email the Mayor and Council members and urge them to VOTE AGAINST THE BYLAW ENACTMENT on September 12th, 2023. Please send your emails before the end of the day on Monday, September 11th, 2023, ideally by 5pm.
While there won't be an opportunity to speak at the September 12th Council Meeting, you can watch it via livestream. Click the Livestream button when the meeting starts at 9:30 am on Tuesday.
Writing directly to Councillors is the only way to provide your input and community feedback. Follow the instructions below to send your letter. Your voice matters!
Email to Vancouver City Councillers to vote against By-law enactment on Sept 12th 2023
Click this button to start your email to Mayor and Council. You only need to send one email as long as all of the email addresses are included.
At the bottom of this page is a sample Email you can use or edit, or feel free to write your own. Remember that your email can be brief and you only need to make your opposition very clear (1st sentence and title).
If the button doesn't start a new email then please manually copy and paste the following email addresses into the TO: and CC: fields of your new email.
TO:
Ken.Sim@vancouver.ca, CLRbligh@vancouver.ca, CLRklassen@vancouver.ca, CLRdominato@vancouver.ca, CLRmeiszner@vancouver.ca, CLRkirby-yung@vancouver.ca, CLRmontague@vancouver.ca, CLRzhou@vancouver.ca
SUBJECT:
Please OPPOSE rezoning by-law enactment for W7th/8th & Arbutus at Sept 12th 2023 Council meeting
Sample Email
Dear Vancouver City Councillors,
I'm writing to urge you to vote against the enactment of the rezoning bylaw for 7th/8th and Arbutus at the upcoming Council meeting on September 12th, 2023. Items 11 & 12 on the By-law section of the agenda.
This is a critical decision that impacts our community and public safety. Here are the key reasons to oppose the bylaw:
Council’s right to vote against: The rezoning bylaw isn't complete, and the Council has the legal right to vote against it, despite a prior "in principle" vote and provincial legislation which seeks to remove Council's authority from this decision.
Unmet Conditions: Important conditions from the 2023 Public Hearing remain unaddressed and/or undocumented, including traffic plans, funding alternatives, unit mixes, and on-site health services.
Development Permit: Approving a development permit before enacting the rezoning bylaw deviates from the process. This compromises this vote's integrity, given a process further downstream has already been approved.
New Council: Mayor and most of the current Council, were not present during the Public Hearing in July 2022. It's crucial to note that this hearing received over 2000 written responses from nearly 300 speakers, and over 80% of them were in opposition. A 1400+ signature petition in opposition was also provided in addition.
Campaign Promises: Many of you expressed opposition to this rezoning during your election campaigns, promising to work for change. This is an opportunity to fulfill those commitments.
Our community, situated with a 450-child school within 17 meters, a toddler park, a women's recovery home and numerous elderly residences, depends on your decision.
Please prioritize existing vulnerable populations' well-being and act in the community's best interest by voting against this rezoning bylaw.
Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter. Our community is counting on your support.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]