Rental tower proposed for West Broadway faces opposition from future neighbours

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Developers proposing a rental high rise on West Broadway are facing some pushback from residents.

The 28-storey building is being proposed for the corner of West Broadway and Birch, a site formerly occupied by a Denny’s restaurant.

If built, the development would provide 248 rental units. Fifty-three of those would be designated for people with low-to-moderate incomes, which the city defines as between $30,000 and $80,000 per year.

An open house on Thursday brought out some neighbours who are opposed to the tower, which would be the second-tallest building along the Broadway corridor.

Folks weigh in about proposed high rise at Birch and Broadway ⁦@NEWS1130⁩ pic.twitter.com/yjMo2PcFVd

— Renee Bernard (@Renee1130) June 28, 2019

Brian McLauchlan has lived in Fairview for 25 years. He says that after a day of working downtown, he loves coming home to a neighbourhood where he gets a break from the hectic pace and looming high-rises.

“Walking down here, I realized just how cool it is to be able to see the sky. I am truly concerned the neighbourhood will be dramatically changed–and not for the better,” he says.

He doesn’t think this project–with it’s relatively small number of affordable units–will go a very long way to address the city’s housing crisis and that the neighbourhood will pay a “huge price.”

Large turnout at open house for proposed Vancouver high rise that will be 28 storeys ⁦@NEWS1130⁩ pic.twitter.com/LkJ1bHhWHw

— Renee Bernard (@Renee1130) June 28, 2019

Helen Wood, who also lives close to the site of the proposed development says she and her neighbours object to the building’s proposed height.

“It’s out of character for the neighbourhood. It’s going to tower over everything else in sight–literally,” she says.

Another man, who doesn’t live near the proposed high rise and didn’t wish to be identified, says he thinks the city is becoming too dense.

“I recognize that we have to make room for people,” he says. “But before we do things like this we really have to think about it.”

All three said that they were troubled over the increase in height since the project was first proposed at 16 storeys.

The project is set to be considered by the city’s Urban Design Panel at their July 10th meeting. The panel advises city council and staff on “major development applications, rezoning applications, and other projects of public interest.” It does not have the authority to approve or reject projects.