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The Advisory Planning Commission
advised it supports the rezoning application.
One letter was received in support
of the proposed rezoning application:
Eva Anderson, 101-6730 Dunblane
Avenue, Burnaby
The following speakers appeared
before Council and spoke to the proposed rezoning application:
Trevor Gibbens, 312-6695 Dunblane Ave,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Mr. Gibbens sought clarification from City staff on the
width of a local alleyway and the results of the shadow impact assessment.
The speaker stated concerns regarding traffic safety, loss of public park
land, loss of community values, inaccessibility of services for pedestrians and
bicycles, the inadequacy of the City’s tenant assistance program and the
negative impacts on displaced residents. Mr. Gibben’s requested traffic
calming measures such as pedestrian controlled cross walks, the addition of
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, improvement of the tenant assistant
program tenant including compensation and relocation processes. The speaker
urged Council to require developers to provide a larger percentage of social
housing units in new developments.
Mr. Gibbens was also concerned with
the loss of park space located at Royal Oak and Dover. City staff advised Mr.
Gibbens that the property was not park space. Council requested a memorandum
from staff providing information on the green space at the aforementioned
location and that a copy of the memorandum be sent to Mr. Gibbens for
information.
Wanda Mulholland, Coordinator for the
Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby, 7476 13th Avenue, Burnaby,
spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning application. Ms. Mulholland
shared concerns regarding the loss of affordable housing and the negative
impacts of displacement on residents. The speaker urged Council to create
bylaws and zoning that would protect affordable housing, and requested that
the City dedicate City-owned land to social housing development and continue
to advocate to senior levels of government for the creation of senior and
affordable rental housing options.
Lorne Wolinsky, Development Manager,
Polygon Homes Ltd., 900-1333 West Broadway, Vancouver, appeared before
Council and offered to answer any questions they or residents may have
regarding the proposed rezoning application.
Murray Martin, 7235 Salisbury Ave,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Mr. Martin shared concerns with the loss of affordable
rental housing and challenges faced by displaced residents that are trying to
find new homes. By not protecting affordable housing stock, displaced
residents are at risk of homelessness or are required to pay substantially
higher rental rates to remain in the community.
Mathew Hunter, 6585 McKay Ave, Burnaby,
appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning
application. Mr. Hunter stated concerns with the loss of affordable rental
housing and the unaffordability of newly developed units. The high cost of
newly developed units is discriminatory against low income renters and
residents that play a vital role in the community. Mr. Hunter highlighted the
high demand and competition for existing rental housing and requested that
Council consider policy options that would increase rental stock.
Rick Erb, 503-6555 Bonsor Ave,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the propose
rezoning application. Mr. Erb posed questions to staff regarding the
Community Housing Fund and asked how the funds have been used. The speaker
shared concerns regarding the loss of rental units and the displacement of
residents that may need to consider more affordable rental options outside of
their community.
Sadie Morris, <address withheld
upon request>, Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to
the proposed rezoning application. Ms. Morris appreciates the welcoming and
supportive community she lives in and is saddened by the possibility that she
will have to seek affordable housing elsewhere. The speaker requested that
Council consider creating affordable housing options that would allow residents
of all incomes and backgrounds to benefit from local medical and educational
services.
Shari Miller, 6688 Dunblane Avenue,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. This is the second time in five years that the speaker
has been evicted from her home as a result of development and is now
considering leaving Burnaby as affordable housing options are limited and in
high demand. The speaker has applied for co-op housing options but is
discouraged by long wait lists and competition for existing units. Ms. Miller
shared that she has experienced discrimination as a renter with small
children, and purchasing a home is not an option due to financial reasons.
The speaker is not opposed to development, but would like Council to consider
development options that include Burnaby residents of all income levels.
James Bender, 20 East Royal Avenue,
New Westminster, appeared before Council and requested additional information
about any tenant assistant programs and policies the City has in place. Mr.
Bender requested that Council consider giving evicted residents priority for
newly developed rental and social housing units.
Anthea Alexander, 5-6687 Malbough Avenue, Burnaby,
appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning
application. Ms. Alexander shared concerns regarding the lack of affordable
rental housing options and encouraged Council to require developers to
include social and senior housing options in new developments. The speaker
also requested that Council dedicate City land to social housing development
and that social housing be created in advance of development to provide
housing security to evicted residents. Ms. Alexander pointed out, that the high
cost of entry into the housing market will mean more residents will rely on
the availability of rental options.
Erika Schinzel, 6366 Cassie Ave,
Burnaby, spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning application. Ms.
Schinzel shared concerns regarding the rapid demolition of affordable rental
units in the community and highlighted the negative impacts of eviction and
displacement on residents. The speaker requested that Council consider the
replacement of rental housing prior to demolition so existing residents are
able to remain in the communities they love.
Leslie Madison, 204-5190 Hastings
Street, Burnaby, spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning application.
Ms. Madison stated concerns regarding the loss of seven affordable rental
buildings and highlighted the negative impacts on displaced and evicted
residents. The speaker urged Council to require developers to create
non-market housing before demolishing and evicting residents. Housing is a Federal,
Provincial and Municipal issue, and the speaker requested that Council not
approve the rezoning application as approval encourages demolition and
displacement.
Charter Lau, 104-5340 Hastings Street,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Mr. Lau asked Council how the funding promised by the
Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments will help displaced residents.
Derek Sahota, 418-9339 University
Crescent, Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the
proposed rezoning application. Mr. Sahota stated concerns with the higher
rental rates displaced residents will face after eviction and requested that
Council consider creating housing solutions before development.
Maria Wallstam, 25 East 12th,
Vancouver, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning
application. Ms. Wallstam, spoke to the negative impacts of displacement and
the increase in homelessness as a result. The speaker requested that Council
stop future property speculation and approve a moratorium on rezoning to discourage
demolitions. Ms. Wallstam also requested that social housing be built to home
the residents that are being displaced.
Erika Schinzel, 6366 Cassie Ave,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke for a second time. Ms. Schinzel
stated that when several apartment buildings within an area are rezoned
competition for nearby rental units is substantially increased.
Nancy Lee, Coquitlam, appeared
before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning application.
Ms. Lee has recently relocated to Coquitlam as she was not able to find an
affordable rental unit in Burnaby. The speaker requested Council implement
rental specific zoning to maintain affordable rental rates in the community.
David Miller, 6688 Dunblane Avenue,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Mr. Miller does not want to leave the community, but
rental rates are unaffordable. The speaker stated that the high cost of
renting is leaving little to no housing options for seniors, families with
children and young people, resulting in a loss of community diversity.
Kathleen Yang, 5545 Brawlawn Drive,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Ms. Yang inquiried about public consultation processes
and is concerned with the loss of affordable housing options.
Ivan Drury, Alliance Against
Displacement, 7006 Kitchner Street, Burnaby, appeared before Council and
spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning application. Mr. Drury stated
concerns regarding the loss of housing options for low-income renters and highlighted
the negative impacts of displacement. Many of the residents displaced by
development are not able to find homes and are at high risk of homelessness.
The speaker requested that Council eliminate density bonuses as they
encourage demolition and that a social impact study be conducted. Mr. Drury
also requested that the Metrotown Plan be reconsidered as it will result in
increased evictions and displacement of residents.
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