The City of Vancouver has withdrawn its support for a controversial supportive housing project in Kitsilano, which had been approved in 2022 but faced numerous court challenges from local residents. The decision comes after a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling found provincial legislation, intended to bypass the courts and favor the project, to be unlawful. This means the project's rezoning is no longer valid, prompting disappointment from the housing minister and an opposition councillor, while the Kitsilano Coalition, who challenged the project, expressed gratitude.
City of Vancouver quashes approval for hotly-debated supportive housing project
CBC Metro VancouverKitsilano supportive housingVancouver supportive housingBritish ColumbiaVancouverB.C. HousingBritish Columbia provincial governmentCIty of VancouverKitsilano CoalitionOneCityDina DinatKaren FinnanKen SimLucy MaloneyRavi KahlonLegalLegislationHomelessnessAffordable and low income housing
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The City of Vancouver has withdrawn its support for a controversial supportive housing project in Kitsilano, which had been approved in 2022 but faced numerous court challenges from local residents. The decision comes after a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling found provincial legislation, intended to bypass the courts and favor the project, to be unlawful. This means the project's rezoning is no longer valid, prompting disappointment from the housing minister and an opposition councillor, while the Kitsilano Coalition, who challenged the project, expressed gratitude.
Trending- 1 2022: B.C. Housing project at Arbutus Street and 8th Avenue approved by previous city council.
- 2 (After 2022): Kitsilano Coalition filed a court challenge against the rezoning.
- 3 (After court challenge): B.C. government issued legislation in favour of the project.
- 4 (After legislation): B.C. Court of Appeal found the legislation unlawful.
- 5 Tuesday (recent): City of Vancouver withdrew its support for the project.
- Project's rezoning no longer valid
- Province and city must find another proposal for the site
- Disappointment from housing minister and opposition councillor
- Kitsilano Coalition's challenge successful
- Continued homelessness crisis in Vancouver
What: The City of Vancouver withdrew its support for a supportive housing project in the Kitsilano neighbourhood.
When: Tuesday (recent withdrawal); 2022 (project approved); (unspecified) after 2022 (Kitsilano Coalition filed court challenge); (unspecified) after court challenge (B.C. government issued legislation); (unspecified) after legislation (legislation found unlawful); (unspecified) after unlawful ruling (City of Vancouver ended legal defense).
Where: Kitsilano neighbourhood, Vancouver, British Columbia; Arbutus Street and 8th Avenue (project site).
Why: Court challenges by local residents (Kitsilano Coalition) over public safety concerns (proximity to park and elementary school); Belief that the public hearing was flawed; B.C. Court of Appeal found provincial legislation unlawful; Mayor Ken Sim stated the location wasn't the right fit for the scale and type of housing.
How: The City of Vancouver ended its legal defense of the project, rendering the 2022 rezoning invalid. This requires the province and city to work on another proposal for the site.