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Seven letters were received in
response to the proposed rezoning application:
Antonia Beck, Executive Director,
Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford Street, Burnaby
Burnaby MLA’s: Anne Kang, Katrina
Chen, Raj Chouhan and Janet Routledge, Legislative Assembly, Parliament
Building, Victoria, BC
Kate Fang, 6486 Telford Avenue,
Burnaby
Paola Francescutto, 6931 Sussex Avenue,
Burnaby
Magdalena Gonzalez, 1-6486 Telford Avenue,
Burnaby
In Hak Bang, 211-6540 Telford
Avenue, Burnaby
Marlyn Ong, 111-6525 Sussex Avenue,
Burnaby
The following speakers appeared
before Council and spoke to the proposed rezoning application:
Fred Wright, 105-6559 Sussex Avenue,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Mr. Wright stated that the displacement of existing
residents will lead to loss of community and increased homelessness. The
speaker requested Council encourage developers to create rental housing
before demolishing existing rental stock.
Darren Froese, CEO, New Vista
Society,
13882-232a Street, Maple Ridge, appeared before Council and spoke in support
of the proposed rezoning application. Mr. Froese stated that the proposed
development will include studio, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom non-market rental
housing. To assist existing residents, a tenant support plan has been created
and residents will be provided with the opportunity to relocate to existing
New Vista rental housing or be provided with assistance to relocate
elsewhere. The speaker stated that existing residents will be given the
option to move into the new units once completed.
Paola Francescutto, 6931 Sussex Avenue,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Ms. Francescutto shared concerns regarding the loss of
affordable rental housing in the neighbourhood, is concerned for residents
that will be displaced, and the loss of socioeconomic diversity in the
community. Ms. Francescutto requested Council consider implementing a
moratorium on the rezoning of rental buildings in the Metrotown
neighbourhood.
Robert Wilmont, Vice Present, The Society
to End Homelessness in Burnaby, 7550 Rosewood Street, Burnaby, appeared before
Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning application. Mr.
Wilmont is generally supportive of the New Vista Housing Society, but is
concerned that the new non-market rental units will not be affordable for all
existing residents. Proposed rental rates (after subsidy) are greater than
current rental rates. The speaker stated that residents who cannot afford a
rental increase will be forced to relocate outside of the community, and the
development will likely increase homelessness.
Diane Gillis, 6675 St. Charles Place,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in favor of the proposed rezoning
application. Ms. Gillis shared concerns about the condition of the existing
apartment buildings (health and safety risks) and appreciates the New Vista
Society’s plan to support, assist and relocate existing residents that will
be displaced by the development.
Astrid Castaneda, 114-6695 McKay Avenue,
appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning
application. Ms. Castaneda requested Council develop affordable housing to
relocate displaced tenants to prior to approving any new developments. The
speaker shared concerns about the affordability of the new rental units
relative to the current rents.
Zoe Luba, 4806 Dundas Street,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Ms. Luba stated that the new proposed rental units are
not affordable as individuals on welfare would not be able to afford the
proposed rents. The speaker also stated that the New Vista Society does not
have enough rental units to house those displaced during the development of
new units.
Fred Wright, 105-6559 Sussex Avenue,
Burnaby, appeared before Council for a second time, and spoke to the
condition of the buildings that will be removed as a result of the rezoning
application. The speaker stated that the units are in livable condition.
Letzia Waddington, 1963 Kitchener Street,
Vancouver, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. Ms. Waddington does not believe that the New Vista Society
has enough rental units available to house displaced residents and that the Tenant
Support Workers, provided by New Vista Society will be challenged to find
suitable alternative units.
Alex Operacz, 203-6779 Sussex Avenue,
Burnaby, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed
rezoning application. The speaker stated concerns with the proposed increased
density which will result in traffic and pedestrian congestion, and the
displacement of residents. Mr. Operacz asked Council to implement policies
that require landlords to maintain existing rental stock in livable
condition.
Ivan Drury, 10589 North Deroche
Road, Deroche, appeared before Council and spoke in opposition to the
proposed rezoning application. Mr. Drury does not believe that the proposed
rezoning addresses the rate-of-change in the area where there is a lack of
rental housing. The speaker asserted that many of those being displaced will
not be able to afford the new non-market units and will be forced to relocate
outside of their current community. Mr. Drury believes the subsidy will not
be enough to ensure affordability and requested Council consider more
effective non-market housing solutions.
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