Vancouver city planners are having an open house today for the Heights District Plan. You can sign up to speak before noon today for the evening Zoom meeting.
Parking is an issue the city is not willing to compromise on. The Activity Center (with seven-story buildings including a hotel, businesses, and residential) and residential neighborhood (townhomes and offices) are allowed one space per dwelling unit, which may be reduced to 0.7 vehicles per dwelling. Innovative Hub (existing businesses and offices) and neighborhood gateways (homes) allow 1.25 spaces per dwelling and reduces to 1 space per dwelling if not abutting residentially zoned property. Only one space for 1,000 feet of office space, and no minimum requirement for commercial uses. Reduction in parking is based on city-approved plans developed by developers like ride-sharing and free bus passes.
The city’s mitigation? Monitor and put parking permits in front of residents’ homes in the future when their parking plan fails. How far away are you willing to park and walk? Consider employees’ and spouses’ needs. Email or speak at the city planner before the meeting today. The city will finalize the plan this month; afterwards, it’s too late to speak.
