1569 west 6th ave, helten, 19 oct-2010

OPPOSED to Rezoning 1569 West OPPOSED to Rezoning 1569 West 66thth Avenue Avenue

IN FAVOR OF good planning, respect for exIN FAVOR OF good planning, respect for existing community zoning guidelines and planisting community zoning guidelines and plans, respect for community wishes, transparens, respect for community wishes, transparency in density transfers. cy in density transfers.

By Randy Helten, 19-Oct-2010By Randy Helten, 19-Oct-2010

Current site: Development potential, yes.

Current view

Current view

This design by Nick Milkovich Architects with Arthur Erickson (as design consultant) was approved in 1999, but never built. Why is today’s proposal so RADICALLY DIFFERENT? What has happened to good planning in Vancouver?

This is what the rezoning sign says. No joke! “150-storey tower”! So how tall is that?

It would be the third tallest building in the world, here in Vancouver.

150 storeys! U150 storeys! Unthinkable? Wnthinkable? W

hy?hy?

Because….Because….

Planning has a history in Vancouver.Planning has a history in Vancouver. Zoning, community plans, guidelinesZoning, community plans, guidelines Extensive consultation has produced themExtensive consultation has produced them

Citizens trust that our elected officials and Citizens trust that our elected officials and civil servants at City Hall are working in the civil servants at City Hall are working in the public interest, in good faith. But that is public interest, in good faith. But that is being eroded.being eroded.

Density transfers, staff reportsDensity transfers, staff reports Council passed motion on July 8 for transparency iCouncil passed motion on July 8 for transparency i

n information about density transfers. This staff ren information about density transfers. This staff report on rezoning at 1569 West 6port on rezoning at 1569 West 6 thth SHOULD repres SHOULD represent best practice. Yet experts can hardly figure it oent best practice. Yet experts can hardly figure it out.ut.

The Planning Department staff report is very difficThe Planning Department staff report is very difficult to read, even for experts. Facts are not presentult to read, even for experts. Facts are not presented clearly. Needs serious improvements. ed clearly. Needs serious improvements.

It is not fair for this neighbourhood to suffer the extIt is not fair for this neighbourhood to suffer the extra density from the Woodwards project in another ra density from the Woodwards project in another neighbourhood. neighbourhood.

Council needs to ask whether or not this neighbouCouncil needs to ask whether or not this neighbourhood is getting a reasonable return for the increasrhood is getting a reasonable return for the increased density being proposed.ed density being proposed.

Dysfunction at City Hall needs fixingDysfunction at City Hall needs fixing

Something is wrong with the way rezoning and Something is wrong with the way rezoning and development applications are being handled in development applications are being handled in Vancouver today. What is it? Vancouver today. What is it?

Needs to be fixed. Needs to be fixed. Current path is killing public participation, as public Current path is killing public participation, as public

input is written off. input is written off. Need to improve the situation so that everyone Need to improve the situation so that everyone

wins and people regain trust in the system. wins and people regain trust in the system. Otherwise, it will become more expensive and Otherwise, it will become more expensive and divisive for everyone. divisive for everyone.