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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Save Vancouver Streets has a point

By Patty Marsden, Vancouver
Published: February 4, 2025, 6:00am

In Alan Taylor’s apology for the city of Vancouver’s refusal to let the people vote on eliminating street lanes, his “clarifications” are grossly misleading (“Criticism of street plan misplaced,” Our Readers’ Views, Jan. 24).

While Vancouver’s transportation plan might have gotten “extensive community outreach” seven years ago, the Complete Streets plan was a very pasteurized “streets should be for everyone” proposal that few would argue with. Residents along 34th Avenue and McGillivray Boulevard had no idea that nice-sounding document meant they would lose half their driving lanes. His opinion that residents had “ample opportunity” for comment for seven years is misplaced. They were only asked what two lanes might look like, not if two lanes should be eliminated.

And his logic that those who garnered 6,500 signatures to put such drastic street changes up for a vote were “wasting time and resources” is deeply flawed. That’s the whole point of Save Vancouver Street’s lawsuit: One man — the city attorney in this case — has no authority to declare a citizen initiative illegal. City councilors went along so they wouldn’t have to take a stand. The city didn’t follow its own charter. Only the courts have the ability to deny an initiative.

Constructive dialogue from the city earlier might have prevented this whole mess.

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