NPA Coun. Hardwick wants council to reconsider duplex bylaw in Vancouver

New city councillor Colleen Hardwick of the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) has put forth a motion to reconsider a recently passed bylaw that allows duplexes in most of Vancouver’s single-family neighbourhoods, by returning the discussion to a public hearing.

The bylaw was approved in a majority vote with support from former mayor Gregor Robertson and five of his Vision Vancouver councillors just before leaving their positions at City Hall.

Green party Coun. Adriane Carr and NPA Coun. Melissa De Genova, who are part of the new council, voted against the bylaw.

Hardwick’s motion for council’s first regular meeting on Nov. 13 notes “there was no meaningful public consultation before referral to public hearing to amend the RS zones and related strata guidelines as proposed in the policy report dated June 27, 2018” and “there was significant public opposition at the public hearing on September 18 and 19.”

The so-called duplex bylaw was enacted on Oct. 30, but “these amendments were implemented immediately before, during and after where most of the then-council members were not seeking re-election in the civic election October 20, 2018,” according to Hardwick’s motion, which does not have a listed seconder.

Carr confirmed she had been thinking about putting forth a motion to reopen the discussion about duplexes, but had been waiting for city staff to answer some technical questions about what options there may be and what wording to use since the bylaw has been enacted.

Carr is putting forth a motion to produce a city-wide plan that engages the public in tackling issues such as housing affordability and adding density to accommodate growth. It has been seconded by Hardwick.

“There hasn’t been a citywide plan since the 1920s,” Carr said, adding perhaps there is some way for the duplex bylaw and any potential amendments to it to be incorporated “within a robust city plan.”

There was no meaningful public consultation before referral to public hearing.”

Collen Hardwick’s motion