Vancouver city council pushes back vote on controversial Beach Towers rezoning

Some people who live in Vancouver’s West End and are pushing for more affordable housing are asking City Hall to turn down a development proposal.

That proposal is for four new buildings along Beach Avenue to be built among some existing towers, and create well over a 100 new rental units. But the people opposed say the rents they plan to charge are simply too high.

“It will just destroy the whole feel of the place,” says West End resident Merle Goertz. “We are light, airy and friendly. We are good neighbours. It’s just going to be concentrated, and everybody is going to be living on top of each other.”

The Beach towers are located along Beach Avenue and Harwood Street.

Developer Devonshire Properties is proposing to build another 133 rental units around the area.

The plan is to add a four-storey residential building along Beach Avenue, a nine-storey residential building at the corner of Harwood and Cardero, and two three-storey structures on either side of the existing Columbus House building as well as two-storey townhouses along the lane.

Some West End residents say adding more people to an already dense site is not the answer.

“This is an iconic site for all of Vancouver. It’s heritage. It’s been here for 40 years, and it’s been carefully planned as it is,” says West End resident Godfrey Tait.

The units would rent between $1,100 and $2,200 a month.

Critics say those rates are not affordable for the average person.

But the architect behind the project says the development is good for families because it provides larger rental units, and the buildings will be energy efficient.

“I think it’s a good project. I think it’s well designed, and I think it fits in well with the neighbourhood,” says Martin Bruckner with IBI/HN architects.

But those already living in the West End say this proposal speaks to a bigger issue.

At least 13,000 of them have signed a petition worried about spot-rezoning in the area.

If Vancouver city council passes the proposal, development could begin as early as next year, and could take several years to complete.