Little Mountain housing saga continues: Open Houses Jan 26 and 28, 2012

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In a city where social housing is so precious, this story of the Little Mountain housing project is something everyone should be watching. This is an issue of great citywide importance because of the precedents this redevelopment will set. After demolition of the buildings that housed a mature community until just before the 2010 Olympics, former residents were dispersed to places far and wide. Now the wheels are turning again for the future development of the site. Two open houses are being organized by the City of Vancouver. Citizens’ groups are preparing materials to promote meaningful discussion.

7 – 9 pm, Thursday, January 26
11 am – 2 pm, Saturday, January 28
Brock Elementary School, 4860 Main Street

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A revised development concept is being presented by Holborn Properties for this site near Queen Elizabeth Park, between 33rd and 27th Avenues and Main and Ontario Streets. Below are links to various sources.

  1. Extensive situation update by urbanist Ned Jacobs on the Little Mountain story, as posted in consultant Michael Geller’s blog: http://gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2011/03/ned-jacobs-response-to-my-post-whats.html
  2. Flyer by RSPC with critical questions the community may wish to ask. PDF format: RPSC Flyer- Little Mountain Open House 4
  3. littlemountainproject.com: This site, by David Vaisbord, “self-appointed documentary filmmaker-in-residence for the Little Mountain Community,” is a documentary project on community vision and action in the heart of Vancouver.
  4. People should see new 2.8 and old 2.7 models posted on David’s site. He believes that Holborn will be presenting ONE new and expensive model of 2.8, but public can view them all online here (Density Models – The Movie!  http://vimeo.com/26677244) to get a clearer sense of the public process for this project over the past 2 years. David adds this: It would be a good idea for the public to know where to look at all of the density values. The video of the economic analysis is also pertinent. Viewers can find it at: http://vimeo.com/26986607 . In it Blair Erb of Coriolis consultants explains how a minimum density of 2.25 FSR delivers the amenity package that the community is requesting. But 2.25 and 2.8 are a long way apart, and that distance is at issue, in terms of the overall site density
  5. http://www.my-calm.info/: Community Advocates for Little Mountain (C.A.L.M.)
  6. http://rpscvisions.ca/: The Riley Park-South Cambie Community Visions Committee (RPSC) is a “city mandated group of volunteers working to promote local decision making and communication with Vancouver City Council and Planning Department. Its purpose is to preserve the character and enhance the quality of life of this area.”
  7. www.vancouver.ca/littlemountain: This is the official website by the City of Vancouver
  8. Detailed analysis by The Mainlander: http://themainlander.com/2011/12/12/little-mountain-why-the-struggle-for-social-housing-is-more-pressing-now-than-ever/

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