New height limits in Vancouver’s Chinatown approved by city council

A clearer picture of Chinatown’s future is being painted after Vancouver city council voted to limit the height and width of new buildings on Pender Street.
Chinatown Society Heritage Building Association President Fred Mah is applauding the approved changes.
READ MORE: Proposal for new height limits in Chinatown goes to vote Tuesday
He said it means that the community can now apply for heritage status.
“[It will] protect the architectural base and also the shopping as well,” he said.
Fred Mah with Chinatown Society Heritage Building Association says this decision is good for community @CKNW pic.twitter.com/6QQMMUyVmB
— Michelle Morton (@MMorton980) July 10, 2018
“Chinatown used to be all 25 feet maximum, 50 feet frontage… but now with the new developments, none of them [are] actually appropriate for Chinatown.”
READ MORE: City of Vancouver proposes new height limits for Chinatown developments
Council has also approved more flexibility around residential use in buildings under 70 feet tall.
But NPA Councillor Melissa De Genova voted against the proposal, saying she’s concerned that businesses will be run out by high property taxes.
Here’s a closer look at the #Chinatown proposal – the column marked “proposal” is what has been approved by council + amendment that allows flexibility for residential uses in buildings under 70 ft tall in Southern Chinatown @CKNW pic.twitter.com/6EBNKkUcZW
— Michelle Morton (@MMorton980) July 10, 2018
She believes that more community consultation is needed.
“We need to listen to them, we need to consult with them… in a down-zoning of an entire neighbourhood, we’re going to see less social housing for Chinese seniors,” she said.
READ MORE: Developers urge Vancouver to press ‘pause’ on Chinatown zoning changes
She said the UNESCO heritage status would be great, but she’s not sure that Chinatown will get it.
“If we don’t look at what the incentives are to keep these businesses there, to allow all types of people to live in Chinatown, those from low income to market, then what we’re going to see is Chinatown will become a ghost town before we’re able to secure UNESCO world heritage status.”
.@MelissaDeGenova voted AGAINST proposals @CKNW pic.twitter.com/3jQGI1GwKo
— Michelle Morton (@MMorton980) July 10, 2018
De Genova said she’s also concerned that rental prices are going to skyrocket.
“As we’d heard from our planners, the rents will be comparative to those in Kerrisdale… I simply couldn’t support that.”

© 2018 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Editor's Picks

Canadian who tried to join terror group in Syria set for release from prison despite being 'high risk to public safety'

'Let's shift the focus': Jussie Smollett case is potentially a hoax, but hate crimes are real

Catholic Church abuse: Canada's dark history and how to move forward

How old is too old? Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders vie for the Oval Office

Canadian captured in Syria admits to role in gruesome ISIS execution videos

Solicitor-client privilege is at the heart of questions on SNC-Lavalin affair. Here's how it works

As RCMP investigated casino money laundering, police distrust of B.C. government grew

Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.