New councillor wants city to reconsider duplex bylaw
New city councillor Colleen Hardwick of the NPA has put forth a motion to reconsider the recently passed bylaw allowing 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 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 prior to 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 Oct. 30, but “these amendments were implemented immediately before, during and after where most of the then-council members were not seeking reelection 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, 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.