Despite heavy opposition and three days of public hearings, Vision Vancouver councillors voted to go ahead with the massive Oakridge Centre redevelopment, much to the dismay of many residents.
The approval of the plan, which includes 11 residential towers, a civic centre with a community centre, library, seniors facility and controversial rooftop park, was decided after a vote of six to three, with only non-Vision councillors voting against it.
Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr was the first to oppose the proposal, followed by NPA councillors George Affleck and Elizabeth Ball.
“It is clear that the people in this area do not want this development. It is too high, it is too dense, it is too tall,” said Carr at the public hearing. “No policy that I’ve read justifies this density.”
She addressed issues surrounding increased ridership on the Canada Line, which already carries 5,500 passengers per hour per direction — 600 less than the train’s maximum capacity.
“It is not good enough to say that the Canada Line and buses are TransLink’s responsibility, schools and hospitals are provincial responsibility and we’ll talk to them,” Carr said. “We are talking about a development that will bring in 5,000 more people, 5,000 more workers and thousands of visitors. We are talking about a small town.”
Other issues brought up by Carr echoed that of speakers regarding the rooftop park and the need for increased essential public services in the area.
NPA Coun. George Affleck said he voted against the project because it was too different from the 2007 policy statement and he didn’t agree with the rooftop park replacing the 2.83 acres of parkland the residents were promised years ago.
“There was a desire for a more active park,” said Affleck, adding there would be too many limitations to what plants and trees could be planted as the roof would have to be replaced down the road.
Vision Coun. Raymond Louie put forth a set of conditions for staff before his movement to approve the proposal. One condition requires staff to engage with Vancouver Coastal Health, TransLink and the Vancouver School Board to ensure the plans take into account the anticipated population growth.
Terraces resident Linda Leong expressed disappointment with city council’s decision.
“Hopefully this will alert people in other neighbourhoods of what this council plans to do to the rest of the city,” Leong said.
Marie Calvert, one of the last people to speak in opposition before the decision, said that she voted for Vision Vancouver because she trusted them to make the right decisions.
“What do you want to be remembered for as a party?” Calvert said. “I’ve been listening to residents give hundreds of reasons why you shouldn’t go ahead with this development. We are asking you to listen to us.”
Coun. Louie could not be reached for comment prior to the Courier’s press deadline.
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