Most of council is in favour of a staff plan for a Transit Supportive Corridor (TSC) Pilot Project that would pre-zone certain areas of the city for higher-density housing.
Councillor Ron Cannan, however, took issue with the plan.
91裸聊视频淚 understand why there are advantages to the investor and developer by pre-zoning or blanket zoning, but I don91裸聊视频檛 support applying the same zone across large swaths of land in the areas identified in the report,91裸聊视频� Cannan told staff at council91裸聊视频檚 Nov. 4 meeting.
He said transit investment needs to happen but argued that the plan reduces flexibility in land use and expressed concern that nothing but four to six-storey buildings would line major transit corridors. Cannan also voiced concern about residents being displaced by redevelopment.
91裸聊视频淧rotect citizens from displacement due to urban developments it91裸聊视频檚 in our Official Community Plan,91裸聊视频� he added.
Council was given a tour of the pilot project area, which includes sections of Richter Street, Gordon Drive, and Bernard Avenue. Councillor Luke Stack countered Cannan91裸聊视频檚 position, noting that staff91裸聊视频檚 report shows a step-down approach for buildings.
91裸聊视频淔rom my understanding of the tour this morning, we may see six-storey buildings along some transit corridors, perhaps stepping down to four or three storeys as we move further into the neighbourhoods. This would still increase our density but avoid monolithic six-storey buildings everywhere.91裸聊视频�
Cannan also argued that council has been neutered by provincial housing legislation.
91裸聊视频淎ny land use or zoning that comes forward, a majority of them, we91裸聊视频檙e not allowed to have public hearings,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淪o blanket zoning eliminates another opportunity for the public.91裸聊视频�
Councillor Gord Lovegrove also addressed Cannan91裸聊视频檚 concerns about residents potentially being displaced due to redevelopment.
91裸聊视频淚 would not want to see gentrification as a result of transit-supportive corridors,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not necessarily talking about an increase in the Official Community Plan housing numbers we91裸聊视频檙e just talking about an acceleration in where we put them and when we put them in.91裸聊视频�
Staff91裸聊视频檚 report cautions that not meeting the targets outlined in the city's Housing Needs Assessment could result in decreased housing affordability and increased homelessness in the future.
The pilot project will explore which transportation options are feasible, how buildings will transition from TSCs to adjacent neighbourhoods, and how a variety of buildings can be supported along TSCs.
Staff expect to update council on the pilot in 2025, followed by public engagement and a detailed plan later in the year.
