At a council meeting on January 13, Councillor Lisa Muri delivered a sharp rebuke of Premier David Eby and provincial housing legislation that has stripped municipalities of their powers. The council was discussing a rezoning proposal for 12 townhouses at 1883-1901 Glenaire Drive in the Lower Capilano area.
Muri said municipalities throughout the province no longer have the ability to ask the public what they think about developments, noting that even when residents oppose projects, it doesn’t matter because the province has told municipalities to implement their plans without discussion or concern for infrastructure needs. She cited examples of emergency rooms being closed and Surrey students taking classes at home because schools lack space as density outpaces infrastructure.
“Premier Eby, I’ve brought this up many times, and I will continue to do it, is very upset that the federal government didn’t ask him to come and sit at the table with Alberta and with Saskatchewan in regards to a pipeline to the West Coast,” Muri said. “And equally, I have been very upset with Premier Eby, who did not ask me, this council and any other municipality in this province, what we thought about their land use legislation and taking away the democratic process.”
Muri, who has served in municipal politics for 30 years, took exception to the province’s approach. “I take great exception to somebody coming in and telling me how to do my job without simply asking me the question of what my thoughts are. And I’m not going to do that to the citizens of this municipality.”
Muri, however, supports moving the Glenaire Drive proposal to a public hearing. Other councillors also voiced support for the project, though with varying perspectives.
Councillor Catherine Pope questioned why the rezoning required a public hearing at all, calling it “extra red tape” given that the project aligns with the Lower Capilano Peripheral Housing Plan approved by council in 2014. She noted the development would generate $378,000 in community amenity contributions and requested that those funds be designated to the affordable housing fund.
District planning director Dan Milburn explained that when the council approved the neighbourhood plan in 2014, they required each development to go through both an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning, triggering public hearings. He suggested that when the council approves future neighbourhood plans, they should follow up with zoning amendments to avoid this extra step.
Councillor Jim Hanson said he would have preferred to see more rental and affordable housing in the area, expressing disappointment that only two of the 12 units include lock-off suites. “I very much doubt that these 12 units are going to be anything like affordable,” he said, though he supported moving the project forward given the area is now “virtually built out” with similar developments.
Councillor Jordan Back called it “a fairly modest development” and said the community needs missing middle housing. Councillor Herman Mah noted that while it may seem modest, the project would convert two single-family homes into housing for 12 families, “so that will still have a big impact for people.”
The project would fill the last two remaining lots on Glenaire Drive with townhouses similar to developments already built in the area.
Council unanimously voted to send the proposal to public hearing, tentatively scheduled for February 3.
Some people won’t be satisfied until they’ve destroyed beautiful neighbourhoods by cramming more and more into them. There is a limit.
I completely agree with Councilor Muri. Ebby has ridden rough shod over the municipalities and the residents of BC. Is he studying the tactics of south of the border?