On Monday, March 10, the first public hearing will consider three projects, including the proposed Oakridge Centre rezoning and development. There’s a lot to be discussed on this latter item – higher buildings, new park and plaza space, and key transportation considerations – and it promises to be a lively debate. (Some of the public correspondence is already on-line, and in case you missed it, we outlined some of the public space-specific considerations in a blog post on February 19.)

The following day, Tuesday, March 11, the regular sitting of Council sees a full suite of items.

Curious about how much Mayor and Council took home as pay this year? The 2013 Council Remuneration and Expenses report details salaries, travel and other expenses.

Following that, there’s a number of Motions being proposed in the meeting, including:

• Protecting Vancouver’s Public Green Space – which, if passed, would direct City staff to develop a policy of no net loss of public green space. Interestingly, this idea was proposed by former Park Commissioner Spencer Herbert (now an MLA) back in 2007. It didn’t pass back then, so it will be interesting to see how the discussion goes this time around. (The VPSN wrote in support of the motion back in ’07 and plan to offer our support this time as well). We’ll share more on this item in a few days time.

• Develop an Art Cart Programme – a motion aimed at expanding street vending opportunities for locally made arts and crafts.

• Traffic Safety and Increased Traffic Volume – 4th Avenue West of Macdonald – The Pt. Grey Road active transportation corridor has created some changes in local traffic patterns. While the City is monitoring these impacts, there are reports in some corners that southbound left-turns onto 4th Avenue are becoming more challenging. This motion looks at the possibility of installing traffic signals to respond to these concerns. (Of interest to sustainable transportation enthusiasts: it’s proposed that funding for these signals be “found within found within the up to $6.0 million budget previously approved by Council for Phase 1 of the completion of the Seaside Greenway and creation of the York Bikeway.”)

• Proposed Service Cuts on TransLink Bus Route 49 UBC/Metrotown Station – as part a program of “service optimization,” TransLink is considering changes to the 49 UBC/Metrotown Station bus. This would eliminate key transit service to Champlain Heights, “a community which includes a high proportion of seniors, young families and people with disabilities who rely on transit service to work, go to school and complete essential daily tasks.” The proposed Council motion would direct staff to advise TransLink that the City “opposes any reduction of service” on this route.

Lastly (at least for our update), Wednesday, March 12 features a key City Finance and Service and Services Committee meeting – one which will see Council deliberate over the Downtown Eastside Local Area Plan, an ambitious neighbourhood-scale policy document that will set out land-use directions, social and cultural policy, and public realm considerations for the next few decades. The VPSN is currently reviewing this document and will be presenting our take on it very shortly.

Interested in letting Council know your thoughts on any of these items? Follow this link to find out how you can have your say (either in person, or via letter/email).

On March 12 2014 the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Plan is going before council. The plan sets broad policy goals for this complex and fascinating community that spans from the heritage communities of Gastown, Victory Square, Chinatown and Japantown, to the industrial spaces of Clark Dr and shady streets of Strathcona and Kiwassa, for the next 30 years.

Now is the time to read the draft plan and share your thoughts!

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Register to speak at Council on March 12; write an email to mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca
• Attend the VPSN’s DTES plan review session at 7pm, March 4 2014.
  For details of this event please email stewart@vancouverpublicspace.ca

At this informal session we propose to discuss the impacts of the plan on public spaces in the DTES. Following this session we will draft a brief position statement and provide speaking points to any that may be interested in standing up on March 12 on behalf of public spaces in the DTES.

Please come prepared to discuss the public space aspects of the plan. Note this is not an ‘official’ city consultation event. If you cannot make this event we welcome your comments for inclusion in our work by email.

Further reading:

• City of Vancouver Official DTES local area plan (2014)
• DTES Local Area Area Profile (2013)
• A short history of the DTES (2005)
• Carnegie Community Action Project (summary position)
• Strathcona Business Improvement Association (summary position)