
Spread the word! On February 1, 2023, City of Vancouver released an announcement of a wave of events this month on possible changes to zoning across most of city to enable the construction of more “missing middle” housing (multiplexes = triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes). (Note that the image on that announcement page is incorrect, showing a duplex surrounded by blue sky and green grass.)
Information is available online on the City’s Shape Your City website, plus eight real in-person open houses during the month of February. That’s your chance to meet your neighbours and talk to real humans, a rarity in this era of virtual open houses. There is also an online survey. For all the information, open house location/time details, online session registration (Feb 27, quick! fills quickly), council presentation, survey, documents and other links, click the City’s site here: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/multiplexes
Stay tuned, we may have more coverage on the topic in the coming weeks, including some issues to clarify and questions you may wish to ask City staff at events.
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Feb 1, 2023 announcement by City of Vancouver
Vancouver seeking public input on allowing more missing middle housing in neighbourhoods across the city
Starting today, the City is seeking public input on a proposal to allow triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes and sixplexes (“missing middle housing”) in neighbourhoods across the city.
Last week, City Council directed staff to begin public engagement on ideas to add much needed missing middle housing to Vancouver neighborhoods. Council received an update on the technical and background work underway to support these new options, and gave staff the green light to continue their work. The next step is to hear from the public on the goals and specifics of this work which include:
- Creating opportunities to make neighbourhoods more complete and connected by adding housing options to areas with convenient access to amenities and services needed in daily life.
- Providing a range of housing ownership options so more residents can call our neighborhoods home and build a future here.
- Providing more housing options that would meet the needs of a diverse array of family and household types, including families with children.
- Improving the accessibility and sustainability of new housing options.
City staff will also be explaining some of the specifics and details necessary to make these options achievable, and to build homes in a more efficient way by simplifying regulations and streamlining processes.
Resident feedback will help shape draft recommendations on missing middle options and will be reported back to City Council later this year.
Get involved
- Visit our Shape Your City Page to review materials and watch the Council presentation held January 18th, and sign up to receive updates on this work
- Attend an open house
- Tuesday, February 7, City Hall, Joe Wai (Townhall) Room, 5:00-7:30 pm
- Saturday, February 11, St. James Square Community Centre, Room 120, 2:30-5:30 pm
- Monday, February 13, Killarney Seniors Centre, Grand Hall, 5:00-8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 15, Roundhouse Community Centre, Exhibition Hall, 5:00-7:30 pm - Saturday, February 18, Dunbar Community Centre, Room 208, 1:00-3:30 pm
Wednesday, February 23 Marpole Neighbourhood House, Gathering Hall, 5:00-8:00 pm - Saturday, February 25, Hastings Community Centre, Community Hall, 2:00-4:00 pm
- Monday, February 27, Online Session, 6:00-7:00pm, Sign up via Eventbrite
- Take our survey [online, ends March 5, 2023]
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MEDIA
Planning staff aim to add the missing middle:
A push to fill the ‘missing middle’ puts at risk the hidden density in many neighbourhoods
Vancouver’s push to create more affordable ownership meets criticism
(Kerry Gold, The Globe and Mail, BC Edition, 3-Feb-2023)
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/vancouver/article-single-family-houses-multifamily-homes/