2538 Birch Street (formerly 1296 West Broadway)

It was hardly a secret that this open house was going to be contentious, and not only because of what Darren and I witnessed at the pre-application open house. Even when it was proposed under the existing, decades old, C-3A zoning, some felt a 16 floor building was too large, and worried the new stores would sell hard drugs, like cocaine. Sometimes just the slightest change is enough to make people act strangely.

After all, considering the Broadway Corridor is home to our province’s second largest business centre (pg 5), 28 floors is still a very modest development. In a few years, it may seem under-built, as it will sit between two new SkyTrain stations, and appear stunted compared to the 28 year old Jim Pattison Pavilion, which is roughly 7 meters taller. That said, even its previous incarnation was designed to respond to the future, as it far exceeded the sustainability levels required by the city at that time.

Which is partially why city staff are considering this application under the Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program. Granted, I am not sure how this is profitable for the developer, as half of the new homes proposed will be rented at levels affordable for households earning 30 – 80 thousand dollars a year. As such, they will be obtainable for people of all backgrounds, whether they work at VPD, VGH, the BCTF, VSB or the many restaurants and services along the corridor.

All of these residents will have access to the shared rooftop amenity space, which will offer stunning views of Downtown’s urban landscape. It is easy to forget that, only 50 years ago, this area looked vastly different, with a dying industrial base facing gentrification (pg 5), and a shoreline that remains poisoned under today’s lush parks. So it is no wonder many Fairview residents spoke warmly of recent additions, like Vancouver House, and wanted to see more of them.

Others were more pragmatic, as even the best-kept strata buildings are nearing the end of their lives. A new roof may cost tens of thousands of dollars, but it pales in comparison to the disruption of replacing an entire building’s water system. Nonetheless, some were fearful tall buildings might spread beyond Broadway in the future, but sounded more irritated the surrounding blocks had been littered with leaflets against this proposal.

In fact, the strongest opposition to this project does not seem to be from this community, but an adjacent one. To our surprise, we recognized many people who are strongly opposed to allowing new growth in Kitsilano appear to dominate many of the night’s conversations. While all Vancouverites deserve to have a voice, no matter where they live, it feels selfish to oppose rental housing in one area, to prevent change in another.

-Source (pg 11)

However, there is no excuse to lie and spread misinformation, Some of those most vocal against this proposal falsely claimed it would actually provide strata housing, or that it was the result of a Vision Vancouver policy which had already been overturned by the new council. Perhaps the most vile comment Darren has heard was an accusation the public artwork by Debra Sparrow was actually a sign the developers were closeted fascist supporters, as it utilizes a red, black and white colour palette.

Given this, it is understandable why those who live in Fairview, and support the project, were fearful their voices may be drowned out. Sadly, these concerns may prove true, as a one issue “neighbourhood association” has been set-up to oppose the project. Many of the signatures on their petition are either anonymous, concerned about the effects on other communities, or are from out of province. Despite that, genuine, and honest opinions deserve to be heard, so make sure to voice yours here.

Applicant Team Information:

Developer – Jameson Development Corp

Architects – IBI Group