The Villages Plan - In Defence of a Neighbourhood

Sterilization - one house at a time

The centre of the bustling future Village of Mackenzie and 33rd.

Is this 40,000 square feet of pre-existing retail? How does it qualify to be a Village?

On July 14th, the residents of Mackenzie and 33rd came out to City Hall to defend their neighbourhood against the Villages Plan, bringing rational arguments about why it would lead to its destruction. Many chose to live on a Main Street because the housing price was cheaper.

The following is a transcript of the outstanding presentation by Speaker #2, Annabelle Kershaw, who encapsulated everything one experiences when the City of Vancouver turns their sights on you.

“I live in the #### block of West 33rd. So, I’m right in the crosshairs of this proposal and I oppose the plan as it is now.

So, here’s the human perspective. I get letters from realtors. Don’t be caught. Don’t be the last one on your street to sell. When your neighbours sell, you’ll be left with the undervalued property. I can practically see the drool on the page. If they were trying to strike fear in my heart, they succeeded, but I figured I could them off, until now.

So, now we get this infamous letter, infamous letter dated May 22nd, a letter which you, the councillors, apparently were not aware, stating that our street, among others, is now mandated four to six stories with commercial at grade. “

I now know a new term.

Our lot will be sterilized.

This is a serious infraction of my rights as a homeowner and a citizen.

“Planning has said that the mandatory retail designation only affects about 700 lots only. Well, I am one of those only’s and I’m not a lot or a parcel. This is my home. It’s not big. It’s pretty modest, but it has a lot of historical beauty. And this is a place where I have always felt safe. Where unlike being a rent, I would never be turfed out because a landlord wanted to renovate. “

I no longer feel safe. I don’t sleep. I am consumed with worry.

I have never felt so vulnerable. You’re playing with our lives.

But I’m just one person, so who really cares? So, let’s talk about the other families in the area. On my block, there are only two homes without children. The other homes all have small or teenage kids. Some homes are multigenerational. We are close to our neighbours. We look after each other. These families like us, they bought on this street because it was more affordable than the quieter streets. Two house have just been sold to families. Imagine their shock. Welcome to your lovely street that’s about to become a shopping mall.

And let’s not kid ourselves. We will be forced out. We know how this goes. The developer seduces one neighbour, creating division and uncertainty, as we fall like dominoes. Or, we’re the one poor little house left and potentially worth nothing. And if up zoned, our property taxes soar.

And while the planner assured us that there’s a provision to keep our taxes at the rate before the upcoming, it’s not an easy application and only applies if you’ve lived in your home for 10 years or more. What about the families that have only been there for five, six, or eight years? People who bought in good faith with no hint that this was going to come crashing down on them.

And where do you envision all of us going? Where? Into 800 square foot condos that cost more than our house? Because that is the price point of these places. These places have no area for kids to play, with not so much as a twig on their property.

And you know why families are leaving the city? It’s not just affordability. It’s because people don’t want to raise their kids in little cement boxes with nowhere to play. It’s barbaric. If you want families in the city, build something with yards and play areas within the developments. That’s your dream village.

And then the agism that’s directed towards seniors who are placed in these nerve-wracking scenarios is egregious and cruel. Blaming people who have lived and worked their whole lives only to be blasted for selfishness is so discriminatory. It makes my blood boil.

We have a village with shops and services 1 minute away. In addition, a 5 minute bike ride or a 15 minute walk in two dire.ctions takes me to two medical clinics, five pharmacies, markets, basically anything we need. This is your walkable city in place.

Now, our street is small. Four to six stories is larger than some of the buildings on the Cambie Corridor. A four-lane highway. This is way too much for our street and for all that retail. Have you heard of Amazon, Costco? This is the reality for most families.

Do I want more vitality in families living in our area? Absolutely.

Do I want this done in a respectful, careful, and sensitive way? Yes.

Do I think there are some areas that could benefit from a form of this plan? Definitely.

I honestly never thought I would see the day when the government that I elect would be gunning for me. It’s like I have suddenly been thrown into a totalitarian regime. This is expropriation. It’s veiled, but expropriation.

And all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen people so angry and upset right across the board. People feel their city is being destroyed and uglified.

And you know, I tell people when they complain, you need to speak up or write to council, they shrug and say, “Why bother? They don’t listen. It’s all lip service.” This is the overwhelming sentiment. It’s really time to listen.