(Updated) It took multiple requests (all rejected), and finally, virtually the use of legal force against the City of Vancouver — with an inquiry using Freedom of Information regulations. A sharp citizen finally obtained some of the City’s data files for a 3D model showing possible future scenarios for the West End of Vancouver. If you have thoughts after seeing this, you may wish to write to Mayor and Council. See contact information here.
The public hearing for mass a mass rezoning of sections of the West End was on January 23. See below images for short report. Despite the majority of public correspondence and speakers AGAINST, Council rushed the vote on the spot. The majority vote by Vision Vancouver passed the zoning amendments.
Building a complex model like this is no easy task and it does not come cheap. Though the City probably spent tens of thousands of dollars on 3D modelling for the West End, it was barely used at all — at least publicly — during the entire planning process for the West End Community Plan, which is intended to guide development here for the next thirty years, and a 25% increase in population, meaning about 10,000 people. Only one view was shown to the public, for a few scant moments of the “helicopter view” at the “learning sessions” in November 2013. Owners and residents of properties affected by the proposed zoning amendments could have benefited greatly by having had a chance to visualize their own views and neighbourhood if the proposed amendments are implemented and built out. Below are 14 images a skilled volunteer worked hard to extract from the data over the past 48 hours. Click on each image to expand and see the file name, which indicates location. More images, and maybe a movie, will be coming in future days. Stay tuned! Thirteen images below.
Bottom of Davie2 transparent new towers
Bottom of Davie3 arial view with new buildings
Bottom of Davie3 aerial view TODAY
Bottom of Thurlow with NEW buildings
Bottom of Thurlow with transparent NEW buildings
Bute_Barclay looking towards Burrard with NEW buildings
Bute_Barclay Looking toward Burrard
Cardero_Nelson towards Davie-AERIAL view with NEW Buildings
Cardero_Nelson towards Davie-aerial
Robson_Georgia towards downtown with NEW buildings
Robson_Georgia towards downtown
Bottom of Davie with NEW buildings
Bottom of Davie
Bottom of Davie 2 with NEW buildings
After hearing a handful of speakers, the majority opposed to the rezoning, and with the Mayor scrambling to the procedures bylaw to find a way, any way, to prevent West End Neighbours from speaking to Council, the vote was rushed to a conclusion within minutes. At about 9:30 pm, the vote was done. All Vision Vancouver members again voted as a solid block in favour of the rezoning, with their absolute majority. NPA’s Councillor Affleck and Ball, and Green Councillor Adriane Carr voted against — calling for more time. End of story. Next is the aftermath.
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